The biggest-ever Asian Games was officially opened with a colourful opening ceremony in Hangzhou yesterday with a record number of athletes looking to shine for their countries in the multi-sporting spectacle in the next two weeks. The extravaganza, which was scheduled to take place last year but was postponed due to China’s COVID-19 policy, is witnessing over 12,000 athletes from 45 nations vying for medals in 40 sports.
Team Qatar, which has not missed any edition of the continental fiesta since making its debut in 1978 in Bangkok, is competing in the Asian Games with a total of 180 athletes, who are hoping for their best-ever performance in Games history in Hangzhou.
Al Annabi athletes are contesting in 27 disciplines, aiming to better their 2014 Asian Games show when they clinched a total of 10 gold medals besides four bronze medals. Qatar’s biggest medal-haul came at home Asian Games in 2006 when the national athletes claimed a total of 32 medals including nine gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals.
Qatar have already started their medal hunt as several competitions including football, cricket, volleyball and table tennis kicked off days before yesterday’s opening ceremony. The national volleyball team has been outstanding reaching the quarter-finals after recording impressive victories. They will meet Pakistan today, eyeing a place in the semi-finals.
Team Qatar’s two beach volleyball pairs including the duo of 2018 Asian Games gold medalists Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan besides Mahmoud Essam and Abdullah Nassim have also done well so far reaching the Round of 16 which will be held today. Qatar football team, however, will need luck as they wait for favourable result in tomorrow's match between Japan and Palestine for a place in the knockout stage. Al Annabi lost to Japan and drew against Palestine in their group matches. Like every multi-sporting event, Qatar’s main hope for medals will be the track and field stars, who have been biggest performers for the national contingent winning 27 out of overall 43 gold medals won by Qatar in all of their Asian Games outings. Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim is leading the track and field stars with athletics competition set to start later this month.
Meanwhile, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is also in Hangzhou to back the Al Annabi athletes. The QOC President is also holding important meetings with top sports officials as he met the President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al Sabah to review sports cooperation between the two sports bodies yesterday. Sheikh Joaan’s presence will certainly motivate Al Annabi athletes in their quest for medals.
