Football

Doha, Qatar: The third edition of the Al Thumama Ramadan Tournament kicks off tomorrow evening at Al Furjan Stadium, continuing a community football tradition that has gained momentum over the past two years. Organised in cooperation with the Qatar Sports for All Federation, the tournament targets young players aged 10 to 14 (born between 2012 and 2016) and has become a key Ramadan platform for nurturing grassroots talent in a competitive yet educational setting. Chairman of the Organising Committee Hassan Al Ishaq, who also serves as a Municipal Council member, confirmed that all preparations have been finalised to deliver a smooth and successful third edition. He said the tournament continues to build on past achievements, with a focus on encouraging youth participation and promoting sportsmanship, discipline and teamwork. Opening night will feature three matches starting at 8:00pm. Doha take on Turki Bin Abdullah in the first game, followed by Al Wajba against Al Zaeem. The evening concludes with Al Rayyan facing hosts Al Thumama. Three matches will be played daily throughout the tournament at Al Furjan Stadium. This year’s competition includes 13 teams divided into two groups. Group A features Doha, Turki Bin Abdullah, Al Wajba, Al Zaeem, Al Rayyan and Al Thumama. Group B includes Al Dafna, Al Shaab, Al Waab, Medical Care, Palestine, Abu Nakhla and Al Shahaniya. Interest was high, with 39 teams applying to participate. After technical review, 26 teams were excluded for not meeting requirements, leaving 13 sides to compete. Al Ishaq praised the strong community engagement and the federation’s support, stressing that the tournament aims to strengthen community sport and make neighbourhood playgrounds safe, attractive spaces for children, in line with the country’s broader vision of developing young sporting talent.

Tennis

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2026 returns to Doha for its second year as an ATP500 event, following its debut season’s recognition as the ATP 500 ‘Tournament of the Year.’ This success reflects the strong partnership between ExxonMobil Qatar and the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), a relationship built on a shared vision to excellence and developing local talent. ExxonMobil Qatar, the tournament’s title sponsor, welcomed fans back to its popular stand at the heart of the Public Village. A major attraction each year, the booth offers interactive experiences, from a full-size racing simulator to surprise meet-and-greets with top players making it a must-visit spot for fans of all ages. These opportunities for autographs, photos, and personal interactions at the booth have created countless memories for attendees. ExxonMobil Qatar extends the excitement to its own community. Employees enjoy the unique chance to take part in pre-match coin tosses, and young players gain inspiration from professionals during a special kids’ clinic hosted by QTF.“Our goal is to create meaningful connections with the community and celebrate the spirit of our collaboration,” said Rashid Al-Hajri, Vice President and Public and Government Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil Qatar. “These shared experiences are central to our partnership with QTF and the tournament’s continued success.” The ExxonMobil booth also includes a dedicated space for Dadu, Qatar’s Children’s Museum. It is designed to give kids a fun place to learn about mangroves during the tournament, offering hands on activities that bring Dadu’s educational experience straight to families attending the event. As an industry leader in almost every aspect of the energy and petrochemical business, ExxonMobil’s focus goes beyond core business operations to positively impact communities where it operates. The company is dedicated to being a responsible corporate citizen, advancing industry solutions, and delivering energy to enhance livelihoods. The company plays an active role in community development and education initiatives particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a key driver of economic growth and opportunity, aligning its efforts with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. This commitment supports the creation of a skilled workforce that propels growth and opportunities for a sustainable future.

Football

Doha, Qatar: Sekou Yansane’s extra-time strike sent Qatar’s Al Ahli into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two as they edged Sepahan 1-0 in the second leg for a 3-2 aggregate victory at Al Thumama Stadium yesterday. Yansane’s decisive goal came in the 91st minute, giving coach Younes Ali and his side a moment to celebrate after a tense clash. With the first-leg clash having ended 2-2, both teams approached the second leg with intensity, producing a first half that swung from end to end. Sepahan started brightly, immediately putting Al Ahli’s defence under pressure. The Iranian side thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute through Kaveh Rezaei, but VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside. Al Ahli regrouped quickly, and the hosts began to threaten. Sepahan goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini was called into action repeatedly, first blocking a long-range strike from Driss Fettouhi before producing another key save to deny Ahmed Reyad, whose volley from Fettouhi’s assist proved Al Ahli’s most dangerous opening-half chance. The tempo remained high and Al Ahli’s goalkeeper Marwan Badreldin also kept his side in the game, denying Arash Rezavand and Amin Hazbavi as Sepahan continued to probe. Reyad and Michel Vlap tested Hosseini again, but the deadlock held through the first half. The second half saw a slightly slower pace, but chances continued at both ends. Badreldin denied Mohammad Mohebi, while Sepahan’s keeper kept out Erik Exposito’s effort from outside the box. Still, it was extra time where the breakthrough finally came. In the first minute, Yansane pounced on a defensive lapse, slotting a precise left-footed finish into the centre of the net to give Al Ahli the lead. Sepahan responded with urgency, coming closest in the 107th minute when Mohammad Daneshgar’s low shot was brilliantly saved by a diving Badreldin. Al Ahli held firm under the Iranian side’s sustained pressure, securing a hard-fought win and a place in the continental quarter-finals.