Qatar will be home to multiple local and international competitions in the coming days as the country continues to host top-notch events with success.
After wrapping up the star-studded Qatar International Rally, which Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah won yesterday to record a 16th victory at his home event and achieve a stunning milestone of 80 wins in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) since 2003, the country is preparing to host several major events in the next two weeks.
Today, the highly-anticipated Round of 16 stage of the 50th Amir Cup – country’s most popular football tournament – will start with defending champions Al Sadd to be seen in action against Second Division side Muaither.
Qatar’s top football clubs including Al Duhail, Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa, Al Arabi, Al Ahli, Al Markhiya, Al Khor, Al Sailiya, Umm Salal, Al Wakrah, Al Shahaniya, Al Shamal, Qatar SC and Al Kharaitiyat will also appear in the pre-quarter-finals, which are expected to throw up exciting action for four consecutive days. The Amir Cup matches will be followed by crucial games at the QNB Stars League, which is heading towards finish.
Doha is also gearing up to stage the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which will be played from February 14 to 19 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Like every year, the 2022 edition has also attracted top-ranked players with Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili set to defend his title.
Two-time champion Andy Murray (2007, 08), last year’s runner-up and 2019 winner Roberto Bautista Agut, World No. 12 Denis Shapovalov and World No. 27 Karen Khachanov are among the stars featuring in the event.
The tournament will be followed by the WTA Qatar TotalEnergies Open women’s tournament to be held from February 20 to 26 at the same venue. Nine of the top 10 players in the world rankings will feature in the event.
H H the Amir Sword Equestrian Festival will also be held from February 17 to 19 at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena in Al Rayyan. The three-day championship will see Qatar’s best and upcoming riders battle for the prestigious title. FIFA World Cup 2022 host Qatar is ready to host these events in a secured environment ensuring health safety of all stakeholders, like the country has been doing it successfully since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
