Qatar is fast emerging as a sports power in the world. Whether it’s about hosting the major global, continental or regional competitions or performing at the top level, the Gulf state is achieving new milestones each passing year. In doing so, the country has taken a lead among the Arab nations in the sports field.
Qatar recently celebrated their historic performance at the Olympic Games, winning two gold medals and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games. The medal’s tally - Team Qatar’s best ever performance at the Games – also made them the top performing Arabian side in the world’s biggest sports event.
Qatar’s outstanding performance at Olympics was followed by some remarkable performances at the Arab Table Tennis Championships in Amman, Jordan and the GCC Aquatics Championships in Doha, where the home swimmers sizzled with a dominating show. Qatar’s football team is also making a significant improvement in the FIFA rankings and if Al Annabi continues to do so they can soon emerge as a top Arabian side in the world.
When it comes to hosting the high profile sports events, Qatar is by far the best in the Arab world; in fact, the country is counted among the top nations in the world for organising the mega events. There are many sports competitions which the country brought for the first time in the Middle East including the 2018 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships and the World Athletics Championships 2019. Both the global events – hosted in Doha – will be remembered for a long time to come.
This year, Qatar will stage the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup in November-December which will bring the Arab world together. That event will be followed by the FIFA World Cup 2022 – a pride not just for Qatar or the GCC states, it will be an honour for the entire Arab world. It will be the first time that football’s showpiece event will be staged in the region.
Next in line are the FINA World Aquatics Championships Doha 2023 while Doha has also won the rights to host the 2030 Asian Games – that will mark the second time that the Qatari capital will host the major continental event after the 2006 edition.
Qatar’s success in sports is a result of flawless planning, years of continuous hardwork and all out support from country’s leadership, which is always in the forefront for promotion of sports and supporting the athletes. The Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who was constantly present to back the Team Qatar athletes every time they were in action during the Tokyo Games, is an example. Such a support makes a huge difference as it motivates the sports officials and the athletes in achieving new milestones.
