eyes on china gold - Qatar Olympic Committee
Transkript
eyes on china gold - Qatar Olympic Committee
QatarSport Q3.2008 the official magazine of the qatar olympic committee qatar’s stars bound for beijing eyes on china gold GAME ON! WORLD CUP SUCCESS FOR QATAR JUMP FOR JOY IRISH RIDER WINS DOHA SHOW THE BIG INTERVIEW GEORGE O’GRADY Maroon qatarsport.Q3.08.contents Grey Silver Metalic 04 QOC Comment Message from the Secretary General 05 News 2010 World Cup Qualifiers 10 The Emir’s Cup More than a match 12 Exhibitions Life - Be Part of it! 14 Beijing 2008 History in the making 24 Stars in Qatar Ireland’s Show Jumping sensation 26 Partners in Sport QNB’s sponsorship portfolio 29 Health & SocietyAspetar sets new standards 31 Sports Calendar 33 World RankingsThe best of the best 34 The Big Interview Highlights of the sporting season European PGA chief George O’Grady No article in this publication or part thereof may be reproduced without proper permission and full acknowledgement of the source: Qatar Sport, a publication of the Qatar Olympic Committee. © Qatar Olympic Committee, 2008. Maroon www.olympic.qa qoc@olympic.qa Grey Silver Meta Designed and produced for the Qatar Olympic Committee by SportBusiness Group, London. Cover photo: supplied by the QOC Q3.08 QatarSport 3 Welcome... Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General, Qatar Olympic Committee Like people the world over, we are eagerly looking forward to the Olympic Games. This summer over 10,000 athletes and officials and a further 20,000 media representatives will be in Beijing to celebrate sport, life and humanity in what has come to be known as The Greatest Show On Earth. The Opening ceremony is set to become the most watched programme in the history of television with nearly 2 billion people around the world tuning in. That surely underscores the global importance of these Games. The Olympic Games represents the pinnacle of every competitor’s sports career. They may set new records and even win world championships but, in most sports, an Olympic Gold medal is the ultimate goal. “The values of sport and fair play are more important than the barriers of nationality and politics” That is why I am delighted that Qatar will send its biggest ever delegation to the Beijing Games. Six federations - Athletics (Track and Field) Archery, Fencing, Swimming Shooting and Taekwondo - are sending competitors and our nation will also be represented in the Paralympic Games. In many respects, the Olympic Games provide an indicator of how far sport in Qatar has come and how quickly it is developing. It is a credit to the federations, their coaches and officials that we are sending more competitors to the Games than ever before and there is also a belief that Qatari athletes have a genuine chance of winning medals in a number of events. That is a real mark of progress for everybody involved in sport in Qatar and a tribute to the inspiration and leadership of HH the Emir. The Olympic Games will provide inspiration for a generation of youngsters watching around the world and I am sure that the performance of our athletes will encourage Qatari youngsters to emulate them, by showing them that by recognising and developing your talents, anything is possible. The importance of the Olympic Games is heightened 4 QatarSport Q3.08 in Qatar because of the central role of sport in our country. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is responsible not only for the team which represents Qatar in Beijing but for all aspects of sporting life. (QOC) is the clear link between the medal hopefuls in China and the youngsters taking their first sporting steps as participants in our schools Olympic Day programme. It is what connects the major international events which are staged in our country and the thousands of men, women and children who take part in the Aspire Active programme. We are confident that the people of Qatar will provide fantastic support to our athletes and those of other nations during the Olympic Games but the Olympic Committee is determined that the focus on sport does not end with the closing ceremony. Our role is continue to provide the facilities, coaches and stimulus to encourage every Qatari and Qatar resident to make sport part of their lives, not simply as spectators but as participants. Not everybody will ever run a marathon, fewer still will complete the 100 metres in under 10 seconds. Not all of us can be a top class footballer or win a tennis title. But sport is amazingly diverse and offers most people, irrespective of age or gender, an opportunity to participate, to be part of a new and stimulating community and enjoy the health benefits of a more active lifestyle. The Olympic Games are the embodiment of sport’s role in life and goes beyond the arena itself. Despite the fact that the world is an intensely complicated place, the Olympic Games represents a willingness to embrace a spirit of togetherness, where the values of sport and fair play are more important than the barriers of nationality and politics. Those are the values at the heart of the Qatar Olympic Committee and which drive our unchanging policy to become a welcoming host to the world’s major sports events. In the spirit of sport I would like to wish the Beijing Organising Committee, the Chinese Olympic Committee and every participating Olympic Committee enjoyable and successful Games. Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani Secretary General. Qatar Olympic Committee Q3.08.news A last ditch win against Iraq has given fresh impetus to QATAR’s World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign World cup campaign back on track Qatar has been drawn in a Group A with Australia, We have beaten some strong sides this year and have Japan, Bahrain and Uzbekistan as the 2010 FIFA World learned a lot along the way. Our next target is reach the Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament reaches its World Cup finals.” Commenting on Qatar’s prospects of reaching the final group stages. Qualification for the last 10 was sealed in dramatic finals after the draw, President of the Qatar Football style on June 22 when the boys in maroon triumphed in Association, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed a must-win preliminary group match against the 2007 Al-Thani, added: “Group A includes teams of a high technical level and great reputation in Asia, but [I Asian Champions Iraq. Held in Dubai as a ‘home’ game for Iraq, striker, believe] Qatar will compete strongly to qualify for the Saeed Al Bashir scored the only goal of a nerve-jangling finals in South Africa.” In Group B, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia, encounter in the 77th minute, raising Qatar’s points tally which all qualified for the last World Cup in 2006, will to 10, to finish in second place behind Australia. “It was very tense out there,” admitted Qatar’s battle North Korea and the United Arab Emirates for the Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati after the match. “But right to play in South Africa. The first and second places of each group qualify my players played according to plan. It was extremely pleasing to see how they performed with their backs to directly for the finals, while the third placed teams will play-off against each other for the right to take on the the wall. “We [also] managed to defeat our critics - and the winner of the Oceania Confederation for the final place. The two groups will be contested on a home and away entire football hierarchy [in Qatar] deserves to celebrate basis between September 2008 and June 2009. Qatar will this great win.” Fossati added that he has faith in his players to face Uzbekistan in Doha on September 6 in the opening deliver the goods in the next stage of qualifying. “I am match. The second encounter will be against Bahrain on very optimistic about our chances because my players September 10, in Manama, while their third match will have shown tremendous spirit in the last few months. be against Australia on November 15, in Australia. Qatar’s crucial 1-0 win against Iraq sparked celebrations among Qatari fans in the stadium and joyous scenes on the pitch as manager Jorge Fossati congratulated his players after the final whistle. Q3.08 QatarSport 5 News in Brief Young Qatari athletes brought home three gold medals from the 13th Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June. Charles Bit Koksh bagged gold in 1500m event and then on the closing day, added gold in the 5000m. Musab Abdulrahman Balah won gold in the 800m. The competition saw the participation of 600 athletes from 36 Asian countries Qatar’s Abdullah Koni has joined the fifth list of contenders for the AFC Player of the Year. The procedure for selecting the best player in Asia has been overhauled to inject more transparency into the process with the big announcement scheduled to be made at the awards gala on November 25 in Shanghai. Thirteen players have been short-listed for the award. The Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) has held outdoor training camps to prepare its national team for youth competitions in Arab Championships in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt as well as Open Championships in Portugal and Spain. Khalid Al Khulaifi, the QTF Board Member and Head of National Teams Committee wants the young players to gain more experience abroad. The Qatar Basketball team will participate in the King Abdullah Basketball Championship to be held from July 25 to August 3, 2008 in Amman, Jordan. Qatar’s participation in the event will come prepare the team for the Asian Basketball Championship to be held in Kuwait in October and the GCC Basketball Championship to be held in Oman. Qatar’s Bandar Al Shafi won the title of 34th Hong Kong Bowling Open beating China’s Wang Tyn in the final match. Al-Shafi defeated compatriots Saeed Al-Hajri and Mubarak Al-Muraikhi in the opening rounds to set up a semifinal with 2006 World Championship Masters champion Biboy Rivera. 6 QatarSport Q3.08 Qatar’s new waterpark will feature a slalom course. Doha goes to the extreme It’s one of the fastest growing participation sport sectors – and now it looks to get its very own venue in Qatar. Extreme sports have taken the world by storm in recent years, with the exhilarating, thrill-seeking athletes taking activities off the streets and into the mainstream. Now there are plans afoot to capitalise on its rise with a state-of-the-art extreme sports complex to be build at the Aspire Sports City. Among its features will be a water park and a slalom course, ideal for canoeing and kayaking. And that’s not all. There are also plans in the pipeline for the Middle East’s first indoor football dome too. Dubbed the Qatar Dome, it is designed to create year-round opportunities to stage major competitive matches in a bid to boost interest and participation levels in the sport. According to the Qatar Olympic Committee, the plans will meet the long-term needs of the community and further advance sport in Doha. The proposed extreme sports and football venues are also part of the QOC’s ambitious ‘Masterplan for Venue Development’ which is designed to ensure Qatar’s sports facilities are among the best in the world, attracting major events while proving attractive and accessible for the local population. Other facilities being discussed include a new swimming centre at the Al Gharrafa Club and a multi-purpose sports complex at the Shaffallah Centre 9-BALL Pool makes STUNNING DEbut Ian Anderson, President of the World PoolBillard Association, has hailed the success of the Qatar International Open 9-Ball Championship, which was organised by the Qatar Billiard and Snooker Federation (QBSF) from June 27 to July 5. Anderson thanked the QBSF’s warm hospitality and praised its high organisational skills in hosting this major event, which saw more than 200 cueists from around the world descend on Doha to compete for a total prize money of $400,000. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, President of the QBSF, added his appreciation of the Qatar Olympic Committee for encouraging QBSF activities and promoting the game among Qatar’s younger generation. Arab countries were represented by 88 players in the preliminary rounds, with the hosts Qatar putting forward 30 hopefuls. It was the top stars from Europe, the USA and the rest of Asia, however which dominated events on the blue baize. The main round of 32, which took place at the Snooker Federation Hall, saw a number of international stars make their move. Double world champion, Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes of the Philippines, a legend of the sport, was beaten by Germany’s Ralf Souquet in the early stages - a defeat that was avenged by fellow countryman Dennis Orcollo in the semi-finals. In the final, Orcollo took on the Dutchman Niels Feijen, and opened up an early lead, which he maintained to take the title 13-5. According to the hosts, the event had been a great learning experience for the local players and after the tournament, the QBSF announced that a Qatari team will participate in the inaugural World 10-Ball Championship in Manila, capital of the Philippines, from October 6-12, 2008. Q3.08.news ball y e ll o v ld o h to hips r Qatampions Cha The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has announced that Qatar will play host to the FIVB World Club Volleyball Championships in 2009. The top five clubs from each continent will participate in the Championship as well as the national champion of the host country and two wild card teams, which will be agreed by the FIVB before the tournament. The World Club Championships will be based upon a unique format in which the sport will take on rules that are more favourable to producing longer rallies and a more fluid style of play. The Volleyball Golden Formula (VGF) is a concept devised by Qatar Volleyball Association (QVBA) technical director, Hussein Imam Ali, and approved by the FIVB to make the sport more appealing. “The most admired scoring points that draw cheers from the fans are those featuring lengthy rallies as they are full of action and hold them in tension,” said Ali, who is also a member of the FIVB Coaches Commission. “The VGF concept will restore equality in the attack and defence, in a sport which is presently heavily loaded in favour of attack. “The important constituent of this rule is that the opening attack is allowed only from the three metre line. Tall players are only a small number in the world and are slower in movement and agility. The use of the VGF in a match will allow the significant number of players of medium height to play a bigger role with their skill.” Following a recent meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, the FIVB confirmed that the World Club Championships should be reinstated after a seven-year gap. The new tournament style of play is expected to usher in a new era of volleyball on an international level and offer an alternative style of play to the traditional discipline currently practiced. The decision to reinstate the Championships was based primarily upon test events that were conducted the previous year in Doha in conjunction with the national volleyball championships. The test events were held at several local sporting venues in Doha including Al Ahli, Al Rayyan, Qatar Sports Club and Al Arabi. Al Ahli Club was victorious in the VGF tournament conducted last year where Sandy Steel, President, FIVB Rules of the Game Commission, was present to supervise the tournament. The dates and venues of the Men’s World Club Championships to be staged in Doha will be announced during next month’s FIVB congress when they convene in Dubai, however Al Jazeera Sport has already been announced as the host broadcaster. The Women’s World Club Championships will be held in the UAE. Q2.08 QatarSport 7 News in Brief Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah along with Northern Irish co-driver Chris Patterson dominated the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, when they won 12 of the 13 special stages of the 8th Syrian International Rally. The defending regional champions began the final day almost four minutes in front of their nearest rivals and produced great performance over the fast gravel stages that make the Syrian event one of the most challenging in the Middle East. The duo’s winning margin was a staggering 5 minutes and 20.7 seconds. The current men’s 3,000m steeplechase world record holder, Qatar’s Saif Saeed Shaheen secured the silver medal at 5000m during a comeback race in Belgrade, Serbia in May - his first race since September 17, 2006 when he won the World Cup steeplechase. Due to injuries, he was not able to run during the whole of 2007 and missed the Osaka World Championships. The athlete will compete at the Beijing Olympic Games for Qatar. Al Ahli on Friday night beat Al Sadd, 29-28, in the Emir’s Cup handball final at Al Gharrafa Hall. Al Sadd were aiming to win their eighth Emir’s Cup title, but Al Ahli denied them at the final hurdle by juts one point. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, handed over the trophies to the winners and the runners-up at a spectacular prize giving ceremony. Q-League champions Al Gharaffa have signed a two–year contract with Fernando Lucio da Costa, a proven goal scorer from the Brazilian club Internacional. The 30-year-old was joint top scorer in the 2006 Copa Libertadores and voted Man of the Match in the South American final which was won by Internacional. 8 QatarSport Q3.08 ASPIRE students earn their wings at the graduation ceremony. Aspire inspires first graduates Qatar’s ASPIRE Academy has celebrated a milestone with the graduation of its first student intake. The graduation ceremony marked a historic moment for the Academy, with the students - some of who joined at the age of thirteen years old - moving on to further education, vocational training and even full athletic careers. In total, 23 successful students graduated at the ceremony, the majority of whom joined the Academy in 2004 following its launch. Experts from ASPIRE’s Quality Management, Education and Social Affairs Department (QESA) have ensured that the young men have been provided with a fullyrounded program of learning, both in and out of the class room. Among the graduates are students who have specialised in football, table tennis, athletics, swimming and squash. All of them have balanced a busy sporting schedule with diligent study and education across an advanced curriculum. Guest of honour at the Graduation Ceremony was ASPIRE Ambassador and triple world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco. The double Olympic champion, who broke world records for the 1,500 meters, the mile and 2,000 meters, spoke to the students about the importance of study and dedication as part of a successful career in athletics. “Internationally, ASPIRE is recognised as a pioneering project to discover and develop world-class athletic talent in Qatar,” El Guerrouj said. “The students who have graduated today were among the first pioneers, and they deserve our congratulations and support.” ASPIRE’s Career Management programmes provide guidance throughout students’ time at ASPIRE, ensuring that every student athlete leaving the Academy possesses a professional or academic career plan consistent with his capabilities and interests. Many of the successful students have developed exceptional aptitude in their chosen sporting field. Class valedictorian Ahmed Khalil addressed his fellow student athletes at the ceremony, and urged them to continue to train and develop their skills. Ahmed Khalil said: “The graduating class of 2008 all look to make the best possible contribution to Qatar, whether as sportspeople or in our future careers. ASPIRE has given us a very strong start by providing us with both sporting development and education - we now need to ensure that we build on this platform.” Since its opening, the Academy has successfully created an environment that supports the student athletes, and the success of the graduates is an important benchmark for the Academy’s growth. Prof. Dr. Dieter Hackfort, Dean of ASPIRE said: “Each and every student has made remarkable progress during their time with us in their personal development and in achieving success both academically and in their chosen sport. These students will be an inspirational example and will induce motivation to other students at ASPIRE, and to other young athletes in the region.” The students, he said, have competed in national and international tournaments across the world, giving them an understanding of competing at the highest level. Q3.08.news olympic support wins award Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch presented one of Qatar’s leading sport administrators with a special award in May to recognise his and his hard-working team’s efforts in supporting the Olympic Movement. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), was presented with the 2007 IOC Award during a recent visit to the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The award is presented to individuals who have shown continued support to the ideals and aims of the Olympic organisation and recognises the giant steps taken in recent years by the QOC. Among its various initiatives and programmes it has launched to both highlight the key ideals of the Olympic Movement and enhance the role the QOC plays in society have been schemes designed to reach out to the very youngest in communities. Among those was Schools Olympic Day. Launched in 2007, its mission HE Sheikh Saoud receives his award from IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch. statement was to “Create an event to educate, engage and influence young athletes inspiring them to play an active role in the local community”. Open to talented young athletes from local schools, it showcased the best emerging young talent in a range of sports including gymnastics, swimming, basketball, football and volleyball. Hailed a huge success, and culminating in a grand finals day where laptops were up for grabs for the successful youngsters, it proved so popular the IOC has since decided it is going to look to introduce it to other national Olympic committees elsewhere. In addition, physical education in schools was upgraded to become an obligatory subject in a bid to improve the overall health and well-being of the young generation. And it was the continuing support to other NOCs, which helped land the recent IOC Award. In particular, was a recent delegation sent to Yemen. They were despatched to help the Yemen Olympic Committee in their preparations up to and including the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Juan Antonio Samaranch made the presentation in his capacity as Honorary President of the IOC. asian games best FOR MEDIA SERVICES Members of the media from all over the world enjoyed unparalleled service at the 15th Asian Games. Media services delivered at the 15th Asian Games in Doha have been voted among the best in the world in 2006/07 by the International Sport Press Association (AIPS). The Asian Games were singled out for awards along with the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan. The Asian Games is the second largest multi-sports event in world sport with more than 8,000 athletes competing in 39 sports over 15 days presenting a complex organisational and delivery challenge for the two outsourced companies, contracted by the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, to serve the world’s media during the event. Q3.08 QatarSport 9 A visiting delegation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has endorsed Qatar’s venues and facilities for the 2011 Asian Football Cup, said Saoud Al Mohannadi, Secretary General of Qatar Football Association. “The AFC Competitions Committee visited stadiums, training fields and the media centre and were impressed with the facilities and arrangements,” he said. Qatari sprinter Thamir Nasser and middle distance runner Musab Abdulrahman Balah won silver medals at the 13th Arab Youth Athletic Championship held in Tunisia. Young Qatari women also competed in the event with the objective of increasing their experience at international arena, said Mariam Al Ishaq, Administrator of the Qatar Women Athletes team. The Qatar military taekwondo team won three medals - one gold and two bronzes - at the 3rd Arab Military Taekwondo Championship held in Sanaa, Yemen in June. Abdullgadir Al Adhami won gold in the 84kg event, while Fahad Ahmed Ali Mohammed Saad finished with bronze the 67kg and 54kg events respectively. Qatari women’s air rifle star Mahbubeh Akhlagi won gold medals in both the 10m and 50m events during the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation’s Cup Championship, organised by the QSAF and held at the Lusail International Complex. Two-time world pool champion, Efren Reyes of Philippines, has praised the organisation of the Qatar International Open 9-Ball Championship held at the Qatar Billiard and Snooker Federation. Reyes 53, said he appreciated the technical quality and organisational work behind the tournament. 10 QatarSport Q3.08 More than just a match This year’s Emir’s Cup Final proved as thrilling off the pitch as on it as the Qatar Football Association (QFA) put on a range of entertainment to turn the match into a community event As fans flocked to watch Al Gharrafa and Umm Salal battle it out for victory on the pitch - and a place in the AFC Champions League for 2009 - the QFA looked to capitalise on the sport’s growing interest levels. In a bid to boost both the numbers of spectators at the match and at future games, and to encourage a new generation to participate in football, there were more than 20 activities lined-up to encourage the party atmosphere outside Khalifa Stadium in the Aspire Zone, Doha. Coined the Cup Emiri Festival, fans were treated to a host of activities ranging from poetry recitals and circus acts to musical numbers and magic tricks. Ali Al-Nuaimi, the QFA’s Assistant General Secretary explained: “It was more than just a match. We wanted to share the occasion with as many people as possible. We wanted to provide Q3.08.news “this emir’S cup final was one of the most colourful and noisy we have ever seen ” A day of dramatic action on the pitch saw Umm Salal clinch the Emir’s Cup, while the entertainment off the pitch turned the Cup final into a memorable all-day event for the fans. a unique flavour to the final. “Our strategy was very much around community involvement and we spoke at length to our sponsors so we could partner with them in their promotional activities around the event. “It was a day to celebrate and unite. What we wanted to achieve was that everyone who left the stadium came away with a fantastic and long lasting impression. We put in a lot of hard work to ensure this Emir Cup final was one of the most colourful and noisy we have ever seen.” Among the line-up entertaining the crowds were poets such as Mohammad bin Fates Al-Marri and Khalil Al-Tamimi. The well known Qatari poets gave recitals. One of the most popular attractions was the chance for fans to win one of 20 Toyota vehicles in a special competition. The motor manufacturer had models such as two Land Cruisers, one Avalon, three Camrys and 12 Yaris up for grabs. In order for the thousands of fans to enjoy the events gates opened at 3pm – some four hours before the teams got the game underway. And after the game finished, there was a colourful laser and firework display. All of which was the perfect icing on the cake, for a game which proved to be a real cliff-hanger. With Al Gharrafa looking to complete a league and cup double, they took the lead, only to be pegged back by Umm Salal. With the game tied at 1-1 in the first half, two more goals before full-time saw the 90 minutes finish with the scores level at 2-2. After extra-time could not separate the sides, it went to penalties where Umm Salal emerged victorious, scoring four penalties to Al Gharrafa's one. They were awarded with the golden trophy by HH The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. QOC HONOURS SPORTING PERSONALITIES The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has honoured the country’s top sporting talent with awards for outstanding achievements in the season 2007–2008. HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) led the awards celebrating more than 50 leading sportsmen and women, teams, federations and sponsors, voted for by members of the national media. The ceremony held at the Al Rostah Hall in the Diplomatic Club witnessed participation of Qatar’s best athletes and personalities including Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry – HE Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah who received the ‘Pioneers’ award. The Qatar women’s basketball team, winners of the gold medal at this year’s 11th Pan Arab Games, won the ‘Appreciation Cup’ for the best sports team. For the federations, the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation, received the ‘Golden Federation Cup’, while the Qatar Volleyball Association, was awarded the ‘Ideal Association Cup’. The ‘Best National Coach Cup’ was granted to Abdullghadir Mughaiseeb, coach of Al Sailiya Sport Club, while the Qatar national volleyball team coach, the Croatian Igor Arbutina, was selected as the ‘Best Foreign Coach’ based on the team’s gold medal showing at the last Arab Games in Cairo. Qatar National Bank from the public sector received the ‘Sport Sponsor Cup’, while Al Emmadi Enterprises from the private sector received the same accolade. Q3.08 QatarSport 11 ooooooooo LIFE - Be part of it! The Qatar Olympic Committee has high hopes for the second ‘LIFE – Be Part of it!’ sports and lifestyle exhibition, which will celebrate a range of new Ideas and productS FOR ALL ITS PEOPLE in Doha this October A dynamic lifestyle exhibition aimed at showcasing Qatar’s growing reputation as a regional sport hub and spreading sports culture throughout the Middle East will welcome the sports industry and general public through its doors in October this year. Under the patronage of the Qatar Olympic Committee, the ‘LIFE - Be Part of it’ exhibition is expected to attract at least 120 world-class exhibitors and 8,000 visitors to the Doha Exhibition Centre over four days [October 15 to 18] for what has become the region’s largest sports, health and fitness show. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2008 edition will be run by the QOC in collaboration with QatarExpo, an event management group, which aims to advance the level of regional and international participation in the event. “Commenting on the ambition and scope of this year’s ‘LIFE - Be Part of it!’, QOC Secretary General Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told ‘The Peninsula’ newspaper. “We want to show the world that Doha is the sports capital of the region. Since sport is a way of life for us, we would like to take this feeling around Middle East and the rest of Asia. “ According to Sheikh Saoud the exhibition will spread this message in more ways than one. “The QOC’s motto is ‘Sport for Life’ and we are pleased that we are in a position to engage National Olympic Committees in the region and other well-established sports associations or federations for the exhibition. I hope we will be able to host what should be the biggest sports exhibition not just in the Middle East but in Asia as well.” When asked about international brands and organisations likely to take part in the exhibition, Sheikh Saoud added: “We will invite all major sports brand names like adidas, Nike, Puma - and many others - to our exhibition. This exhibition will not only look at companies promoting their brand names, but we are also focusing on general fitness, equipment and sports medicine.” The encouragement of healthy living is another major component of the exhibition. “We decided to be part of this exhibition knowing how important it is to have a healthy generation, which believes in the importance of sports in their daily lives,” Sheikh Saoud said. Moreover, the organisers believe that this year’s exhibition will be even bigger and better than last year’s event. Visitors to the exhibition, for example, will view a large selection of sports equipment from than 10 sports equipment providers, discover the latest trends 12 QatarSport Q3.08 SHOWCASE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Child’s play...this year’s ‘Life - Be Part of it!’ exhibition aims to show that Doha is the sports capital of the region. Exhibition Zones Sports & Fitness Zone: Interactive Zone Sports Associations Government Bodies Sports TV channels Sports Magazines Sports equipment Sportswear The Natural Health Zone: Health food, supplements and beverages Herbal and natural health remedies Dietary and herbal supplements Vitamins Organic food and beverages Nutrition Products The Tourism Zone: Sports Tourism Health Tourism Agrotourism Magazines/Publications Tourism Associations Chamber of Commerce in sportswear, and get to know the benefits of spas, beauty products, diets and new ways to treat injuries. According to Waleed Wahba, Project Manager with QatarExpo, there will be many highlights this year, but perhaps most important is the increased presence from sporting organisations. Around 35 per cent of the exhibition floor space, he says, will be taken up by Qatar’s federations and sports clubs with international organisations also likely to participate. As part of the sports focus, Qatari athletes who have excelled in different sports over the last decade will also be honoured for their ‘outstanding’ achievements at the event. The QOC together with the ASPIRE Academy will announce the awards during a gala dinner held on the opening night. Sport and Fitness, however, is just one of six exhibitor zones (see box) and the business-to-business strand of the exhibition is more focused on the Spa and Wellness zone. “The exhibitors are targeting both consumers and traders, but the health, beauty and sports messages are more targeted at consumers. Then we have the companies, mostly in the fitness and well-being field, which are more interested in business-to-business trading with Qatar and the region.” But whatever the exhibitor’s target market, Mr Whaba is encouraged by their take-up rate this year. “Last year, the number of companies was 80; this event will have at least 120 companies from 18 countries. This year, we have three big companies from Japan for the first time, as well as a company from Italy, the UAE, Egypt, China, the Lebanon and many others. Our plan for 2009 and 2010 is to convert 60 per cent of exhibitors to those from international markets.” But any event sponsored by the QOC, ASPIRE and the National Health Authority is bound to have a more wide-ranging agenda than simply business. ‘LIFE - Be Part of it!’, he says, is more concerned with the promotion of sport, health and well-being. The success last year not only gave credibility to the event, but has also allowed QatarExpo to work on this project with great motivation in order to accomplish further success. ‘LIFE - Be Part of it!’ is the first exhibition to talk about health and sport in the region. There’s nothing quite like it in the Middle East and we are working closely with the QOC in developing new ideas and to send the right messages about health, sports and lifestyle.” QatarExpo will be promoting the event in the national media and in Doha’s main shopping malls over the coming months and will be going further afield in the future to ensure it becomes a truly international event. After all, ‘LIFE - Be Part of it!’ is a motto that everyone can relate to. Spa & Wellness Zone: Spa & wellness equipment and products Medical supplies Wellbeing, relaxation & beauty items Health retreats, beauty & wellness centres Massage products & equipment Saunas and Jacuzzis Education, publications and the latest developments and enhancements in spa techniques and technology The Yoga Zone: Interactive Zone Yoga sessions Retreats Spiritual music and merchandise Alternative Medicine Zone: Aromatherapy products and treatments Crystal therapy sessions Reiki Bach flower essence remedies Q3.08 QatarSport 13 ooooooooo beijing 2008 GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH From Olympia to Beijing, the story of the Olympic Games continues to inspire individuals and nations to achieve great things When the curtain goes up on the Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Olympic Games on August 8, the eyes of the world will turn to Beijing. The Summer Olympics will be watched by more than three billion people across the globe - around half the world’s population - and will involve some 10,000 athletes competing in 302 events across 28 sports. Most of the athletes will have trained for many years in preparation for their big moment on the world’s greatest sporting stage, living a dream they may well have nurtured since childhood. And just as individuals are inspired by the Olympics Games so are nations. For the hosts, in particular, Beijing 2008 is an era-defining moment, which should crystalise China’s growing status in the world within a single global sports event. As the International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge earlier this year. “We gave the Games to a country that represents one fifth of mankind. We gave the Games to a country that will change, that is changing.” 14 QatarSport Q3.08 The IOC chief hopes that this year’s Games will again demonstrate the power of sport to bring nations and peoples together. Indeed, it’s the extraordinary achievement of the Olympic movement that it has come to represent some of the best aspirations of mankind; to become a unique force for good - wherever the event is staged. These positive principles are enshrined in the Olympic charter, which says that the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport, practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit. This spirit of athletic endeavour will transfix the world during the 16 days of action from the sporting fields and arenas of Beijing. But it’s a spirit that has its source in more ancient arenas than the hi-tech sporting palaces of Beijing. The multi-media extravaganza on show in Beijing originated in the athletic spectacles held more than 2,500 years ago in Olympia, Greece, the site of the ancient Olympic Games. The atmospheric ruins of Olympia remains a symbolic and ceremonial focus of the Olympic movement, but at the height of the ancient Olympics, the stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, who gathered to see the exhibitions of strength and speed that were held every four years for more than 12 centuries. The ancient Olympics were very different from the modern Games. Only ‘free men’ who spoke Greek could compete, instead of athletes from any country. Moreover, the Games were always held at the same site instead of moving around to different venues. There were also fewer events. At first there was only one competition - a short sprint measuring between 180 and 240 metres or the length of the stadium. Further foot races were added over the years, as were other events, including boxing, wrestling, pankration (full-contact fighting), chariot racing, as well as a pentathlon which consisted of wrestling, running, long jump, javelin throw and discus throw. Such was the power of the Games that some archeologists believe that wars were halted between the city-states of Greece so that the athletes as well as the spectators of the Olympics could get there safely. Such a beneficial side-affect however did not stop the Romans from banning the Games in the 4th century - closing a chapter in the Olympic story for more than 1,500 years. How the Games were revived more than one hundred years ago is far less testing for Olympic historians. International interest in the ancient Olympics had been growing in the nineteenth century when the French educationalist Baron de Courbetin called for a return of Olympism. The aristocratic founder of the modern Olympic movement believed that education was the key to the future of society, and on June 23, 1894, he organised an international congress at the Sorbonne in Paris, which led to the establishing of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with De Coubertin becoming the first General Secretary. Among the IOC’s early decisions was to stage the fist IOC organised Olympics in Athens, Greece in 1986, an event which they decided should be held every four years. Inset: The Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia, Greece. Main picture: The Olympic Stadium in Beijing will showcase the world’s best athletes. Q3.08 QatarSport 15 ooooooooo beijing 2008 The current Olympic Charter too can be traced to the principles established by De Courbetin. The first two ‘Fundamental Principles’ of Olympism exemplify the idealism behind the sporting activity. Olympism, says the first principle, is “a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.” The second principle states that the “goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” These ideas and others put forward by the founders of the modern Olympic movement have not only endured, but spread across the globe. Today, 202 National Olympic Committees and 35 International Federations are part of the Olympic Movement. This year’s host nation China, for example, formally entered the Olympic stage in 1936 in Berlin, Germany; the Soviet Union entered the Olympics for the first time in 1952 in Helsinki, Norway; and Qatar first competed at a Summer Games in Los Angeles, USA, in 1984. New to the rigours of top-level international competition, Qatar’s initial effort was not an immediate sporting success, but at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, Qatar won its first medal when Mohammed Suleiman took home the bronze in the men’s 1500 metres. Eight years later at Sydney 2000, Qatar’s second medal was secured when Said Saad Asaad won the bronze medal in the Men’s 105kg weightlifting. This year, Qatar will send its strongest ever team to compete for medals in Beijing, but for Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of QOC, the Movement is about far more than the number medals won. In May, Sheikh Saoud received the 2007 IOC Award for individuals who support the Olympic Movement from Juan Antonio Samaranch, Honorary President of the IOC in Lausanne. The award was given to the QOC a because of its contribution in supporting other National Olympic Committees such as the Yemeni Olympic Committee. The honour also reflects the QOC’s committed strategy for sport in line with the directions of the QOC president, HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The QOC’s mission is “to become a leading nation in bringing the world together through sport”. It is an ambition that will be reenergised in the sporting venues of Beijing this August, and one that will continue to burn brightly long after the Closing Ceremony as Qatar seeks to create its own sporting heroes to match the legends of past Olympic Games. 16 QatarSport Q3 .08 Qatar at the Olympic Games 1984 The 1984 Summer Olympics were celebrated in Los Angeles, USA. Carl Lewis made the his first of four appearances in the Olympics, and equalled the performance of Jesse Owens of 1936 by winning four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and the Long Jump. In their first Olympics, Qatar competed in the men’s football and athletics events. 1988 The 1988 Summer Olympics were hosted by Seoul, South Korea. The Canadian Ben Johnson won the 100m in a new world record, but was disqualified after testing positive for steroids. Tennis returned to the Olympics after a 64-year absence and Steffi Graf added to her four Grand Slam victories in the year by also winning the Olympic title. Qatar fielded just one athlete - in the men’s 10,000m. From the top: Cathy Freeman wins 400m gold for Australia in Sydney; Liu Xiang powers to victory in the 110m hurdles in Athens; Carl Lewis wins another gold medal in Los Angeles 1984. 1992 The 1992 Summer Olympic Games were held in Barcelona, Spain. In basketball, the admittance of pro players led to the American Dream Team, led by Michael Jordan, which won the gold medal with ease. Qatar’s football team won the Gulf Cup that year and competed in the football competition, while Mohammed Suleiman took the bronze medal – Qatar’s first Olympic prize - in the 1500m. 1996 The 1996 Summer Olympics, known as the Centennial Olympics, were celebrated in Atlanta, United States. Cycling professionals were admitted to the Olympics for the first time, with five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain winning the inaugural individual time trial event. Qatar sent competitors in athletics and for the first time in shooting. 2000 The 2000 Summer Olympics were celebrated in 2000 in Sydney, Australia . The local star Cathy Freeman won the women’s 400m final in front of a jubilant Sydney crowd at the Olympic Stadium. Qatar sent competitors in athletics, shooting, table tennis, and weightlifting with Said Saad Asaad winning the bronze medal in the Men’s 105kg weightlifting. Bilal Saad finished tenth in the men’s shot-put. 2004 The 2004 Summer Olympic Games were staged in Athens, Greece. Liu Xiang became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic track and field gold medal when he won the 110 metres hurdles as China came within four gold medals of the USA. Qatar sent participants in athletics, shooting, swimming and weightlifting with Musa Amer coming closest to a medal with a fourth in the final of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase. THE WORLDWIDE OLYMPIC PARTNERS ooooooooo beijing 2008 “” As far as I am concerned, the athletes are the VIPs. They deserve their place on the world stage Khalil Al Jabber, Director of Sports Affairs at the Qatar Olympic Committee, is also Chef de Mission for the Qatar team at the Beijing Olympic Games. He explains his role and ambitions for the olympic GAMES and hIghlights how the Games fit with Qatar’s NATIONAL ‘Sport For Life’ policy The Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games will be an unforgettable day in the lives of all of those involved - athletes, officials and spectators alike. There, in Beijing’s innovative Birds Nest Stadium, the nations of the world will join forces to celebrate sport and the spirit of Olympism, two of the forces at the very heart of modern Qatar. The moment when the Qatar team’s representatives make their way into the stadium for the Opening Ceremony will be a particularly proud moment for Khalil Al Jabber, the team’s Chef de Mission and Sports Affairs Director of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The opening ceremony effectively marks the end of one phase of the Chef de Mission’s role and the beginning of the vitally important second. Here months and years of meticulous planning, training and team selection come to an end and all attention focuses on the performance of the team’s athletes under the glare of the world’s attention. 18 QatarSport Q3.08 “There is tremendous public excitement in Qatar and huge support for our athletes and my job as Chef de Mission is to ensure that they have the ability to focus solely on their performance and not worry about any other details,” Mr Al Jabber said. “As far as I am concerned, the athletes are the VIPs. Our role is to serve them and help them produce their best possible performances in Beijing. They deserve their place on the world stage and we all know that good performances can be inspirational for those watching back home in Qatar and elsewhere. “We have to realise that every athlete is different and has very different requirements. Our job is to understand that and to make sure they have everything they need to succeed to the best of their abilities.” It is that mind-set which has helped ensure that no previous Qatar team has been better prepared for the Olympic Games. Evidence of the detailed planning which Qatar’s Beijing 2008 Chef De Mission, Khalil Al Jabber, understands that Qatar’s athletes must strive to achieve individual goals at the Olympic Games. Q3.08 QatarSport 19 ooooooooo beijing 2008 has gone into making the Road to Beijing as smooth as possible can be found in the massive free-standing calendar which stands outside Khalil Al Jabber’s offices on the 20th floor of the Olympic Tower in Doha. This is the time-line writ large, a clear indication of the tasks to be completed each day as the countdown to Beijing continues. Next to it are diagrams of the accommodation which will be found in the Olympic Village, introducing the athletes to the realities of Olympic life well before they step onto the ‘plane to China. Khalil Al Jabber is determined that he and his delegation will be ready and absolutely nothing is being left to chance. Months before the Games, the Chef de Mission had accompanied federation chiefs and other officials on fact finding visits to Beijing in order to familiarise themselves with the facilities and conditions they will face when the team arrives from its training camp in Hong Kong a few days before the official opening of what it still generally agreed to be The Greatest Show On Earth. The Qatar delegation will consist of competitors, coaches, medical staff and officials, some of whom will stay in the Olympic Village. “We are expecting to have a team of 27 athletes in six different sports in Beijing,” explained Khalil Al Jabber. “We will be represented in track and field, shooting, fencing, weightlifting, swimming and taekwondo and while it is difficult to predict the outcome of events we will certainly be looking for progress in every area,” he said. Qatar’s strength in shooting disciplines has been well established over the years and with Nasser Saleh Al-Attiya taking fifth place in the 2000 Sydney Games and fourth in Athens four years ago, there are strong hopes that further improvement will result in a medal for Qatar. Likewise in weightlifting where Jaber Saeed Salem won the Bronze medal in Athens, there are high hopes, if not expectations, of an even better placing this time around. Elsewhere the team will have young competitors taking place in their very first Olympic Games in both the 100m breast stroke swimming event and in fencing, while in Taekwando, Abdulqader Hikmat Sarham will be looking to build on the success enjoyed in wining Gold at the 13th Asian Games in Doha. “Every member of the team will give 100 per cent in their events but we are realistic enough to know that not all have a realistic medal chance,” Khalil Al Jabber said. “But in every case we know that each athlete has their own personal goal. For some it would be a triumph simply to get into the final of their event.” “The performance of the team means a lot to Qatar and its people. Over the years we have built a good infrastructure for sport and made sport and sports participation central “we expect to have a team of 27 athletes competing in six different sports AT beijing 2008” 20 QatarSport Q3.08 to life in the State. We are now gradually beginning to see the fruits of the investment that has been made. “For example, this is the first time we have been represented in Taekwondo which means that the standard must be improving thanks to the facilities which are available. Fencing is another sport which has taken giant steps as the federation was only established 12 year ago and now has a representative in the Olympic Games.” Today everybody involved in sport in Qatar is focused on the Games and helping the competitors achieve maximum performance. “The Federations and everybody else are being very cooperative. Everybody shares the same goal,” Khalil Al Jabber said. The Beijing Olympic Games provide a global showcase for sport in Qatar but the Chef de Mission sees the Games not as an end in themselves but as a stepping stone on a longer and ultimately more important journey. “The Olympic Games provide an opportunity to show Qatar and the world what is happening in sport in Qatar. Our ultimate goal though is beyond Beijing. It is about continually bringing youngsters into sport, identifying their talents and providing them with the facilities, resources and support they need to achieve their potential,” Khalil Al Jabber said. “We have to think constantly about the future and while our immediate focus may be Beijing 2008, at the back of our minds is the task of developing talent for the 2010 Asian Games in Guanzou and, beyond that, the Olympic Games in London in 2012. “We have created a sports structure in Qatar in which everything comes under the Olympic umbrella. This extends from our highly successful Schools Olympic Day programme to the Games themselves. “For reasons of enjoyment, social fulfilment and health, we want to encourage Qataris of all ages to engage in sport and it is particularly important to do this by working closely and supporting youngsters. “Schools Olympic Day succeeded in involving hundreds of thousands of young Qataris in sport, some for the first time. Many will have enjoyed the experience and been encouraged to develop their sporting interests and talents as far as they will take them. “This, alongside our ongoing talent identification programmes, will help us to recognise potential among youngsters and develop them for the future. The Youth Olympic Games in Singapore may provide a platform for some of them but our focus is longer-term. “Success in the Olympic Games will be celebrated throughout Qatar and provide clear evidence of what can be achieved on the world stage. I hope and expect that this will inspire youngsters who will want to emulate members of the Beijing team at Olympic Games in the future. Like some members of his team, this will be Khalil Al Jabber’s first Olympic games and he is delighted to be a part of it. “Whether I carry the flag or the country’s name, the Opening Ceremony will be a very proud moment for me personally and for my country,” he said. ooooooooo beijing 2008 Samuel Adil Bari Francis Athletics : 100m Bound for beijing Career Highlights •H older of the Qatari, Gulf Arab and Asian record in the 100m event, with a time of 9.99 seconds. Holder of the international military 100m record. •A sian Championship, 100m, Gold Medal, Jordan 2007 •4 th International Military Athletics, 100m, Gold Medal, India 2007 •2 nd Indoor Asian Athletics, 60m, Gold Medal, Macao 2007 •A sian Indoor Championship, 60m, Gold Medal, Qatar 2008 Mohammed Aaisa Adhawadi Athletics: 110 m hurdles Career Highlights •Q atar and Gulf record holder • Arab Championship, Bronze Medal, Syria 2001 • 14th Asian Games, 6th place, Korea 2002 •A rab Championship, Bronze Medal, Jordan 2003 14.11 sec Bronze • Gulf Military Champs, Gold Medal, U.A.E. 2006 • Gulf Military Champs, Gold Medal, Qatar 2007 • Arab Championship, Gold Medal, Jordan 2007 • Asian Champs, Silver Medal, Jordan 2007 •W orld Military Athletics Championship, Silver medal, 2007 India Sultan Khamis Zaman Athletics: 5,000m/10,000m Career Highlights •G ulf Cross-country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Qatar 2005 •W orld Military Cross-Country championship 5km, Gold Medal, Tunisia 2004 •A rab tournament 10,000m Silver Medal, 2007 •A rab tournament 5,000m, Silver Medal, 2007 •3 rd Asian Indoor Championship 3,000m, Gold Medal, Qatar 2008 •W orld Cross-Country Championship 12km Bronze Medal, Scotland 2008 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12km,Team Gold, Switzerland 2008 •A rab Military Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Tunisia 2008 M Thamer Kamal Ali Athletics: 3,000m hurdles and 1,500m Introducing the qatari athletes who will be battling for medals at the olympic games Career Highlights • World Military Cross-Country Championship 5km, Team Gold, Tunisia 2004 • Arab Military Cross-Country Championship 5km, Team Gold, Algeria 2008 • World Military Cross-Country Championship 5km, Team Gold, Switzerland 2008. • Asian Indoor Championship 3,000m, Gold Medal, Qatar 2008 • World Cross-Country Championship 5km, 5th Place, Kenya 2007 • Arab Athletics Championship, 3,000m, Silver Medal, Jordan Q3.08 QatarSport 21 B A C Rashid Shafi Bital Adusri Athletics: Discus Ahmed Hasan Abdullah Athletics: Long distance Career Highlights • Qatari record holder •8 th Asian Youth Games, Gold Medal, Singapore 1999 •1 1th Arab Championship, Gold Medal, Lebanon 1999 • GCC Championships, Gold Medal, Kuwait 2000 •A rab Military Championships, Gold Medal, Qatar 2001 • Grand Prix, 62.77m Qatari record, Qatar 2001 •W orld Military Championship, Silver Medal Lebanon 2001 • 1Arab championships, Gold Medal, Syria 2001 •A sian Championships, Gold Medal, Malaysia 2002 •A sian Athletics Championship, 4th place, Korea 2002 Aaisa Ismail Rashid Athletics: Long distance Career Highlights •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship (long distance), Team Gold Tunisia 2004 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship (long distance), Team Gold Tunisia 2008 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship (long distance), Team Gold, Switzerland 2008 Felix Kikway Kipur Athletics: Long distance Career Highlights • Asian Champs, 5,000m, Gold Medal, Jordan 2007 •A rab Military Cross-Country Championship 5km, Team and Individual Gold Medals, Algeria 2008 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Switzerland 2008 •W orld Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team and Individual Bronze Medals, Scotland, 2008 22 QatarSport Q3.08 D Career Highlights •H older of the Qatari, Gulf and Asian 10,000m records •W orld Cross-Country Championship 4km Individual Bronze and Team Silver, Belgium 2004 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12 km, Team Gold, Tunisia 2004 •W orld Cross-Country Championship 4km Team Bronze, France 2004 •W orld Half-Marathon Championship, Bronze Medal, India 2005 •A sian Championships, 10,000m, Gold Medal, Jordan 2007 •A sian Championships, 5,000m, Silver Medal, Jordan 2007 •W orld Cross-Country Championship, 8th place for individual and Team Bronze, Scotland 2008 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Switzerland 2008 Jamal Bilal Salim Athletics: Long distance Career Highlights • World Military Cross-Country Championship • Long distance Cross-Country, Team Gold 2004 •A siana athletics tournament 3,000m hurdles, Bronze Medal, Qatar 2006 • Arab Athletics Championship 5,000m, Silver Medal, Jordan 2007 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12 km, Team Gold, Switzerland 2008 •A rab Military Cross-Country Championships, Team Gold, Algeria 2008 Algeria •W orld Cross-Country Championship, Team Bronze, Scotland 2008 E Zakaria Ali Kamil Athletics: Long distance Career Highlights •A sian Athletics Championship, Silver Medal, Jordan 2007 • I AAF World Championship, Qualifier, Japan, 2007 Mubarak Hasan Shami Athletics: Marathon Career Highlights • Holder of the Qatari Marathon record. •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Tunisia 2004 •W orld Half-Marathon Championship, Silver Medal, Canada 2005 •G ulf Championship Half marathon, Gold Medal, Bahrian 2005 •W orld Military Marathon Championship 12km, Individual and Team Gold, Italy 2005 •W orld Athletics Championship Marathon, Silver Medal, Japan 2007 •1 5th Asian Games Marathon, Gold Medal, Qatar 2006 •W orld Cross-Country Championship, Individual and Team Bronze, Scotland 2008 •W orld Military Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Switzerland 2008 •A rab Military Cross-Country Championships, Team Gold, Algeria 2008 Algeria Yousif Uthman Qadir Athletics: Marathon Career Highlights •G ulf Cross-Country Championship 12km, Team Gold, Qatar 2005 •G ulf Athletics Championship, Half-marathon, Bronze Medal, U.A.E 2005 •H amburg International Marathon Championship Marathon Qualifying record + personal record, Germany 2007 F I G H J Daham Najim Bashir Athletics: Middle distance Khalid Aaisa Alhamadi Fencing Usama Mohammed Alaaraj Swimming: Breaststroke Career Highlights • Qatar record holder over 1500m and The Mile • Bislett Games (Mile), Gold Medal, Norway 2005 •M adrid Grand Prix 3000 m, Gold Medal, Spain 2005 •V an Damme Memorial 1500m, 4th Place, Belgium 2005 •A thens Super Grand Prix, 1500m, Silver Medal, Greece, 2005 •1 5th Asian Games 1,500m, Gold Medal, Qatar 2006 •M adrid Grand Prix 1,500m, Silver Medal, Spain 2007 Ibrahim Babekr Mahmedin Athletics: Triple jump Career Highlights • Qatar and Arab record holder. •1 0th Arab Championship, Bronze Medal, Taif 1997 • J unior World Championship (triple jump), Gold Medal, Poland 1999 •A sian Youth Games (triple jump, Bronze Medal, Singapore 1999 •G CC Youth Championships (long jump) Doha Gold Medal, Qatar 1999 •G CC Youth Championships (triple jump) Doha Silver Medal, Qatar 1999 •G CC Youth Championships (triple jump) Doha Gold Medal, Muscat 2001 •H is Highness the Emir’s Championship, Gold Medal, Qatar 2003 •H is Highness the Emir’s Cup, 17.15 metres and new Arab and Qatari record, Gold medal, Qatar 2004 •O lympic Games 16.71 metres Heats, Greece 2004 Abdulqader Hikmat Sarhan Taekwondo under 80kg Career Highlights • 15th Asian Games, Gold Medal, Qatar 2006 •W TF Asian Taekwondo Qualification Tournament, Silver Medal, Vietnam 2007 Career Highlights •C hampion of Qatar at youth, junior and open levels •F irst place at the youth and junior levels in the 2004 Gulf fencing championship •S econd place at the individual junior level in the 2004 Arab fencing championship •F irst place (team) in the 2007 Arab junior fencing championship •T hird place for the teams at the 2007 Asian Junior Championship •H e has taken part in a number of international championships and advanced to the later rounds. Masoud Saleh Hamad Al-Athba Shooting: Career Highlights •T wo Gold Medals (individual and team) from 14th Asian Games 2002 in Busan, Korea • Silver Medal of Asian Clay Shooting Championships 2007 (Manila, Philippines); •S ilver Medal in Afro-Asian Games 2003 (Haider Abad, India) •H e is a repeated winner and medallist of various GCC and Arab Championships in individual and team events. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiya Shooting: Skeet Career Highlights • 4th place : 2004 Olympic Games, also participated in Olympic Games in Sydney and Atlanta. • World Cup, Bronze Medal, Italy 1997 • World Cup, Silver Medal, Italy, 2001 • Asian Championships, Silver Medal, Indonesia 1995. • Asian Championships, Gold Medal, Thailand 2001. • Asian Championship. Silver Medal, India 2003 • Asian Championship Gold Medal, Singapore 2006. • Winner and medalist of various GCC and Arab Championships in individual and team events. K Career Highlights •G old Medal in the 100m and 200m breast stroke in the 2004 Gulf championship. •G old Medal in the open-water team race, and silver medal in the open-water individual race, in Doha in 2005. •G old Medal in the 100 m and 200m short-lane breast stroke in Kuwait in 2006. •G old Medal in the 100m and 200m short-lane breaststroke in Kuwait in 2008. Jabber Saeed Saleh Weightlifting: 105kg Career Highlights •W orld Weightlifting Championships, Bronze Medal, Thailand, 2007 • Asian Championships, Gold Medal, China, 2007 •W orld Championships, Bronze Medal, Qatar, 2005 •W orld Weightlifting Championship Gold Medal, Canada, 2003 • Asian Games, Gold Medal, Busan, Korea, 2002 • Asian Championships ,Gold Medal, Japan, 2001 • 4th place at the Sydney Olympic Games 2000 Nasser Saeed Al Sehouti Paralympian Ali Abdulla Mohsen Paralympian Picture captions A - Mubarak Hasan Shami; B -Usama Mohammed Alaaraj; C - Samuel Adil Bari Francis; D - Daham Najim Bashir; E - Ibrahim Babekr Mahmedin; F -Rashid Shafi Bital Adusri; G -Jabber Saeed Saleh; H -Nasser Saleh Al-Attiya; I - Zakaria Ali Kamil; J - Ahmed Hasan Abdullah; K -Abubekr Ali Kamal Q3.08 QatarSport 23 ooooooooo STARS IN QATAR WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING Denis Lynch took the show jumping world by storm when he won he won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Doha. Now, he just can’t stop winning 24 QatarSport Q3.08 Show Jumper Denis Lynch is riding on the crest of a wave. In April, the Irishman, then placed 90th in the International Equestrian Federation rankings, astonished the equine world when he guided his 10-year-old wonder horse ‘Lantinus 3’ to victory in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix event in Doha. Lynch and Lantinus have since recorded an impressive series of wins, taking the Grand Prix at La Baule, France and the Grand Prix at Rome, where he recorded the only double clear round of the competition. But it’s the Doha win in the first leg of the prestigious Global Champions Tour, which really made his rivals sit up and take notice. The unassuming 32-year-old is not one to blow his own trumpet, but the big prize money win was all the more remarkable since the horse and rider have only worked together since October 2007. Last year, the Swiss industrialist Thomas Straumann bought the gelding from Jan Tops, the driving force behind the Global Champions Tour. It was Tops who invited the Germany-based Lynch to take part in the event. Lynch responded to the challenge by resting Lantinus for six weeks ahead of the competition – and the rest is history. “It’s been a dream come true finding this horse and having this success has been brilliant,” says Lynch. “ It was my first time in Doha, but it was a fantastic experience there was a great atmosphere and the course and facilities were first class.” Arriving in Doha on the Wednesday before the competition for a day of ‘schooling’ around the unique, oval Qatar Equestrian Federation arena, Lynch and Lantinus had time to adjust and observe their new environment. “The stables were air-conditioned and you couldn’t get any better anywhere in the world,” says Lynch. “For the grooms that go with the horses, it’s very important that there are permanent stables and air conditioning, just as there will be in Hong Kong, China for the Olympic Games. On the competition nights, the air temperature was quite warm, but that was no problem for Lantinus.” In fact, nothing appeared to unsettle the horse in Doha and for those looking for clues to the Grand Prix final on Saturday, Lynch and Lantinus signaled their potential when coming second in the 1.50m jump-off class. “On the Friday, I wasn’t trying to win,” Lynch confides. “I wanted to keep some speed and power for Saturday.” On the night of the final - with €100,000 at stake for the winner - Lynch used this reserve power to stunning affect. After two clear rounds, Lynch qualified for a third round jump off against four other riders. Riding second of the five, he calculated that another clear round would put him in a medal position. “If you get a clear round, you’re always in with chance of getting in the top three. You need to think realistically, so be quick, but don’t be headstrong. On the last run I was quick and thought I’d done a good job, but I wasn’t at all sure I was going to win. I went into the jump-off with the intention of just leaving all the fences up. But the horse is naturally quick, and his finishing time put the rest under pressure. That’s my tactic but I guess everyone knows it by now!” Germany’s Alois Pollman-Schweckhorst on Lord Luis also put in a clear round, but Lynch came home almost half a second faster to secure his biggest prize to date. If Doha proved he has the right stuff to succeed under pressure, Lynch is also quick to give praise to Lantinus. “This horse is so special,” he says. “He has the scope and the strength and a brilliant temperament. At first, in a lot of situations he was ‘overbrave’ and went more quickly than I wanted, which was a handicap. My job is to keep him under control and believe in the way he believes in himself. He’s a big horse – 1.80 metres – and he really wants to run.” This positive impression was evidently shared by equine admirers in Qatar. After the race, a tempting offer of over €5 million was put before the horse’s owner. However, according to Lynch, Mr Straumann bought Lantinus for sport, not for profit. “Lantinus was bought to jump and Thomas loves him,” says Lynch. Indeed, a real possibility exists that the duo could represent Ireland at the Beijing Olympics – an act of generosity from the Swiss owner, which would be wellreceived in Tipperary, the rural Irish county where Lynch was brought up. The same rider and horse combination should also return to Doha for next year’s final of the Global Champions Tour when a staggering €2.5 million will be on offer to the 25 qualifiers. The choice of Doha for the final, which was announced after the Grand Prix in Doha, demonstrated just how well the Qatar Equestrian Federation organised the event but also the keen equine interest of Qatar’s ruling family and the Qatari people. “The development of show jumping in the Middle east is fantastic. It’s the way forward... not just because I won in Doha!” Left: Irishman Denis Lynch, riding Lantinus, clears another hurdle at the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Doha. Right: Lynch celebrates victory in the local style. Lynch himself is enthusiastic about the sport’s development in the region and looks forward his return to Doha next year. “The development of show jumping in the Middle East is fantastic. It’s the way forward and good for our sport in general - not just because I won in Doha! “The Middle East brings purchasing power to the industry, which keeps the bloodstock prices up, which is good for the sport. “But it also brings a great hospitality and positive mentality to the sport. The racing world has been in the Middle East for some time and now show jumping has arrived. I really like it and others riders feel the same.” As for the skills of the local riders, Lynch is impressed. “I was quite amazed by the riding standards. In general, they have the same competitive minds that we do. It makes no difference what country you’re from – everyone has an individual style, and the best of them believe in their style.” In the light of his Doha performance, Lynch has every right to be confident about the future with Lantinus. “There will definitely be more big wins. Since April last year, he has won more than €500,000. He is one of best horses in world.” Q3.08 QatarSport 25 ooooooooo PARTNERS IN SPORT Qatar National Bank has been sponsoring sports events FOR two decades and is now a key supporter OF QATAR’S NATIONAL STRATEGY It’s not unusual for blue-chip brands to support their local sports industry through sponsorship and official supplier agreements. But you definitely get the sense with Qatar’s leading companies that they like to go the extra mile. Over and above their commercial objectives, there seems to be a genuine desire to participate in Qatar’s great nationbuilding agenda. A great case in point is QNB – the Qatar National Bank which has been sponsoring set-piece sports events for the best part of two decades. Whether it is football, tennis, motorsports, traditional sports or flagship events like the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, it’s a given that QNB will have played a pivotal role. In recent years, the driving force behind the bank’s emphasis on sports sponsorship has been QNB chief executive Ali Shareef Al Emadi. And he has made it clear on numerous occasions that QNB’s commercial success goes hand in hand with Qatar’s prosperity as a nation. For Leading from t him, sports sponsorship is not just about articulating the bank’s core values, it’s about fulfilling its responsibility to the wider Qatari community. Aside from QNB’s commitment to achieving its own commercial objectives, Mr Al Emadi’s approach to sports sponsorship consists of three main elements. Firstly, a desire to put Qatar on the international map by sponsoring iconic events. Secondly, a commitment to developing young Qatari talent. And thirdly, an attempt to keep the local population healthy and active by supporting local community sporting events. The classic example of how to achieve all three of these goals at the same time was QNB’s support for the 2006 Asian Games. A brilliantly-executed event, QNB’s 36.5 million Riyal (US $10 million) financial contribution was undoubtedly a key element of Doha’s success. But just as important to the smooth running of the overall planning process were the bank’s logistical expertise and sponsorship experience. For QNB, active involvement with the Asian Games actually began in early 2005 when it signed its deal with the local organising committee [DAGOC]. Straightaway, Mr Al Emadi set up a permanent supervising committee to manage the bank’s preparations for the Games. By overseeing the committee himself, Mr Al Emadi sent out two messages. Firstly, that the bank’s sponsorship strategy would not be executed in a way which would affect its core banking services. And secondly, that the Games really 26 QatarSport Q3.08 Above: QNB was at the heart of the action during the 2006 Asian Games. Below: QNB Chief Executive Ali Shareef Al Emadi awards Maria Sharapova with the Qatar Open trophy. mattered to the bank (something he also demonstrated by taking part in the Doha torch relay). Indeed, QNB made sure its involvement with the Games touched the bank at every level. For example, it issued a special credit card to commemorate the Asian Games - donating part of the card’s revenues to the Reach Out To Asia campaign. It also worked with DAGOC to create an Information Emergency Centre – equipped with state-of-the-art technology to help tackle any emergency. As the Games approached, QNB employees became part of a vast field force of volunteers which ensured the Games ran smoothly. In terms of maximising exposure for both the bank and the event itself, QNB sponsored the official uniforms of 10,000 volunteers from 93 nations. The bank’s commitment to the success of the event also required a lot of activity around arrivals from abroad. Temporary bank branches within the Athletes’ Village, the temporary airport and the main media centre were all built to serve QNB clients and to promote the Bank’s products and services. QNB also ran a well-organised corporate hospitality programme. This played a key role in showcasing the capabilities of both the bank and Qatar to partners. Of course, it would be wrong to suppose that QNB’s interest in sport was limited to a few weeks at the end of 2006. Mr. Al Emadi has often stressed that the bank’s role in supporting the 2006 Doha Asian Games was not an the front isolated one-off - but an integral part of its wider strategic efforts to bolster Qatar’s sports sector. For many years, QNB has been a key supporter of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) – a partnership which was re-affirmed in 2006 when the bank signed an agreement to became the exclusive sponsor of Qatar’s major championships in football, basketball, volleyball and handball (a deal which factors in existing support for leading Qatari soccer events - the Emir Cup and the Heir Apparent Cup). Worth QR 25 million over three years, the deal is the first time a single Qatari institution has undertaken an initiative of this magnitude. And it couldn’t have come at a better time – providing local athletes with the kind of stable support they need in the run up to Beijing 2008. Not only that, but QNB’s Olympic link has allowed it to reach out and engage with Qatari consumers once more. For the first half of the year, it ran a credit card promotion with Visa (an IOC TOP sponsor), which will enable six lucky winners to attend the Beijing Olympics. In doing so, it found a way to keep up the momentum created by Doha 2006. Often, investment in a new area of sponsorship leads to cutbacks in existing commitments. But QNB has been careful not to turn its back on long-established arrangements. It continues to sponsor the Qatar’s Men and Women Tennis Championships – ATP and WTAendorsed events which attract world-class talent. QNB’s commitment to tennis is part of a long-standing partnership with the Qatar Tennis Federation, which dates back to the early 1990s. Explaining the rationale for the sponsorship, Mr Al Emadi said: “Our focus has been on giving Qatar the boost it deserves in order to receive international recognition, and we truly believe that supporting Tennis will help achieve this objective. We have been partners with QTF for 14 years, during which time this relationship has blossomed to a stage where Qatar’s tennis tournaments are recognised all over the world.” QNB has also played its part in the motorsports revolution sweeping across the Middle East. Through its partnership with the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), it is the sponsor of both the QNB Losail Motorbike Race and the Qatari Middle East Rally Champion, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah. Once again, Mr Al Emadi is keen for QNB to lead from the front: “This agreement falls in line with QNB’s plan to be actively involved in sponsoring and supporting local sport in Qatar. It allows us to strengthen our involvement in the development of motorsports, which enjoys widespread popularity in Doha. “This last comment is a reminder of how important the local population is to QNB’s strategy. QNB, for example, has stayed loyal to traditional favourites such as horse racing and camel racing. As Mr Al Emadi concludes, “Maintaining a strong link with the past will enable the country to move forward with confidence.” Q3.08 QatarSport 27 ooooooooo HEALTH AND SOCIETY Aspetar delivers best-in-class ORTHOPAEDIC treatment Aspetar’s reputation for orthopaedic surgery is growing in the Gulf as it leads the region in ground-breaking surgical procedures iStock Aspetar, Qatar’s Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, is to stage a world-class conference on orthopaedic surgery in the Aspetar Auditorium on 19-20 November 2008. The 1st Annual Aspetar Arabian Gulf Sports Medicine Meeting will be organised by Peter Fowler and Craig Bottoni, Aspetar’s chief medical officer and chief of surgery respectively, and is supported by ISAKOS – the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Camera (arthroscope) surgery is a key procedure in the treatment of sporting injures, in particular those affecting an athlete’s knee and shoulder, and Aspetar is now a leading regional centre for this careersaving surgery. In April, Aspetar become the first hospital in Qatar to carry out a ‘double bundle arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)’ reconstruction. PCL injures are less common than those affecting the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but can be equally destructive. The operation was led by Dr Bottoni, who developed this new surgical technique in 2003 and has used it in over 100 operations before joining Aspetar. “This is a relatively new technique but we believe it makes a difficult operation slightly less challenging,” said Dr Bottoni. “It is our intention at Aspetar to become a PCL referral centre for the region.” Dr Bottoni was involved in another landmark procedure this year, when, with the assistance of Dr Mohammed Al Ateeq, he performed the ‘first double row, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair’ at Aspetar. The arthroscopic technique allows the shoulder injury to be repaired through very small skin incisions through which a camera (arthroscope) and surgical instruments are passed. Dr Bottoni has received several international awards for his sports medicine research in knee and shoulder injuries and their surgical repairs. Among his many accolades, is the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Excellence in Research Award, which he won in 2005 for research on arthroscopic shoulder surgery. In 2007, he won AOSSM the O’Donohue Sports Injury Research Award for research into optimal timing of ACL surgery. He is the programme director for this November’s conference and along with Peter Fowler, a world leader in all areas of orthopaedic sports medicine, patient care, research and teaching, will host a group of prominent sports medicine specialists. These will include Dr Richard Hawkins, the former team physician for the 1998 and 1999 Super Bowl Champions, the Denver Broncos, and co-founder of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic; Dr Charlie Brown, a knee specialist from the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Services and Dr Peter Pascal, a US-based orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. The meeting will include expert lectures and live surgery demonstrations within the brand new Aspetar facility. Special achievements The Sport Affairs Department of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), in association with the Qatar Sport Federation (QSF) for Special Needs, has held its first paralympic sports festival at the Qatar Sports Club. “We want to bring these people closer to the society and make the society accept them,” said Khalil Al Jaber, Director of QOC Sport Affairs Department. “There is an active participation from people in paralympic sport these days - and two of our athletes will be competing in javelin and weightlifting at the Beijing Paralympics this year.” Dr Hassan Mohammed Al Ansari, Secretary General, QSF for Special Needs stressed that those with special needs are provided with training by specialist coaches. A SPECIAL PAralympic FESTIVAL iN doha CONFIRMED THE GULF STATE’S COMMITMENT TO sport for all its people AHEAD OF THE 2008 BEIJING GAMEs Above: Dr Craig Bottoni performed the first ‘double bundle arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction’ surgery in a Qatari Hospital. Q3.08 QatarSport 29 ooooooooo HEALTH AND SOCIETY “We have about 300 people with special needs who are active in sports,” he said. “Our aim is to promote sports among these people and give them an opportunity to live a normal life. “The federation facilitates are not only for the adults: we have children from the age of 12 years from other schools who are given training,” he added The festival featured a number of events and saw wide participation from both the disabled and others. It began with a friendly football match between two teams comprising people with mental disabilities. Goal ball, a special game for the blind using perforated balls with a bell inside also attracted much attention. The players had to prevent goals being scored by tracking the ball’s movement by sound. Cultural events, and other games for people with different kinds of disabilities, besides cultural events, were also held. “Qatar gives great importance to these kinds of activities, ” said Mr Al Jabber. “We have a number of organisations for people with special needs which are actively involved with QOC and are supporting all our activities.” Paralympic athletes took centre stage at the Qatar Sports Club. GSF WARNS TEENS AGAINST drug use THE united natioNS AND Qatar’s olympic authorities are SHOWING the SPORTING world NEW WAYS TO RESPOND TO drug use AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and several Qatar-based organisations put together a series of awareness programmes in Doha to mark the ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ on June 26. The campaign was first launched by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 and this year, as in the past, was targeted towards youth and students, under the theme, “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs”. In response to the global problem, the Global Sport Fund (GSF), the Qatari fund set up by the QOC and UNODC to encourage young people to lead a healthy lifestyle, is also launching a unique attempt at drug use prevention to support youth-in-sport projects in several countries. Young people will be encouraged to take up amateur sports to promote healthy lifestyles that include being part of a coaching programme in which they practice fair play on the field and essential social values and related life skills off it. For this, a number of camps with participants taking part from over 30 countries are set to take place in Africa, Asia and South America by the end of 2008. QOC became the first sports entity in the world to join 30 QatarSport Q3.08 hands with UNODC in establishing the Global Sport Fund (GSF) in 2005. “QOC is the only national Olympic committee in the world to join UNODC for such a venture,” said Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of QOC. “We started the Schools Olympic Day, a feat lauded by the IOC, and we feel equally satisfied by backing a programme, which is exclusively devised to supporting the youth of the world.” Among the events that took place on June 26, the Permanent Committee on Drugs and Alcohol Affairs, on behalf of the Qatar government, conducted exhibitions, presentations and lectures to raise awareness among the public on the dangers of using drugs, while a campaign by the Indian Anti-Smoking Society raised awareness of the dangers of smoking in their community. Public lectures on the dangers of drug-abuse formed part of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. Arab Shooting Championship Qatar Squash Classic Sony Ericsson Championships The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe France 05/10/08 IAAF World Road Running Championships Brazil 12/10/08 Japanese Grand Prix Japan 12/10/08 Madrid MastersSpain 13/10/08 MLB World Series USA 22/10/08 Asian Optimist Sailing Championship Doha Sailing Club 24/10/08 Rugby League World CupAustralia 26/10/08 MotoGP final race of seasonSpain 26/10/08 World Superbikes final race of season Portugal 26/10/08 Qatar Squash Classic Championship Khalifa Tennis Complex 27/10/08 F1 GP final race of season Brazil 02/11/08 U-14 Int. Tennis Championship Khalifa Tennis Complex 03/11/08 Sony Ericsson Tennis Championships Khalifa Tennis Complex 04/11/08 Int. Car Endurance Rally Losail Int. Circuit 06/11/08 The 8th Arab Shooting Championship Lusail Shooting Range 10/11/08 World Touring Car Championship Macau 16/11/08 Davis Cup final TBD 21/11/08 The 4th Asian Technical Gymnastic Championship Aspire Zone 23/11/08 Omega Mission Hills World Cup China 7/11/08 European Short Course Swimming Championships Finland 07/12/08 Gulf Sailing Trophy Doha Sailing Club 08/12/08 Qatar Int. Bowling Open Championship Qatar Bowling Center 04/12/08 The 2nd. Cycling Golden Shirt Open ChampionshipAround Qatar 18/12/08 Doha U-16 Handball Int. Championship Al Gharrafa Club 18/12/08 End of NFL regular season 28/12/08 USA Events diary - International and Qatar Asian Optimist Sailing Championship Q3.08 QatarSport 31 www.globalsportfund.com Youth in sport— Create a world of motion! Imagine what would happen if the 1.7 billion youth — more than a quarter of the world’s population under 25 years of age — took part in a sport. What a world of motion that would be. The Global Sport Fund (GSF) is working to help young people do just that. It is an initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Qatar Olympic Committee to aid youth to develop their potential, live healthy lifestyles, and stay away from drugs. World sports rankings Clockwise from the top: Women’s tennis No. 1 Ana Ivanovic; South African star Bryan Habana; the peerless Tiger Woods; and FIFA’s top 2 soccer nations. the best of the best in sport… at a glance FIFA – at 11/06/08 1 Argentina 2 Brazil 3 Italy 4 Spain 5 Germany 6 Czech Republic 7 France 8 Greece 9 England 10 Netherlands 11 Portugal 12 Romania 13 Cameroon 14 Mexico 15 Croatia 16 Ghana 17 Scotland 18 Bulgaria 19 Colombia 20 Turkey -83 Qatar 84 Libya 85 Iceland 86 Zimbabwe 87 Trinidad and Tobago 1559 1513 1424 1303 1274 1246 1143 1133 1123 1111 1094 1069 1041 1020 1017 986 978 949 904 877 -373 369 367 367 365 IRB - at 11/06/08 1 South Africa 2 New Zealand 3 Argentina 4 Australia 5 England 6 Wales 7 France 8 Ireland 9 Fiji 10 Scotland 90.81 89.59 87.42 84.20 83.36 80.12 79.61 77.18 76.29 74.92 World Golf - at 12/06/08 1 Tiger Woods (USA) 2 Phil Mickelson (USA) 3 Adam Scott (Australia) 4 Ernie Els (South Africa) 5 Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 6 Justin Rose (England) 7 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 8 Steve Stricker (USA) 9 Vijay Singh (Fiji) 10 Jim Furyk (USA) 19.44 10.21 5.86 5.72 5.62 5.44 5.22 5.21 5.14 5.09 ATP Tour - at 11/06/08 1 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 2 Rafael Nadal (Spain) 3 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 4 Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 5 David Ferrer (Spain) 6 Andy Roddick (USA) 7 James Blake (USA) 8 David Nalbandian (Argentina) 9 Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 10 Richard Gasquet (France) 6675 5585 5225 3050 2905 2405 2015 2000 1615 1595 FIH ABN-AMRO - at 12/06/08 1 Germany 2 Australia 3 Netherlands 4 Spain 5 Korea 6 Pakistan 7 Argentina 8 England 9 India 10 New Zealand 1921 1898 1743 1689 1435 1353 1115 1092 1078 1020 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour - at 11/06/08 1 Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 2 Maria Sharapova (Russia) 3 Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 5 Elena Dementieva (Russia) 6 Serena Williams (USA) 7 Venus Williams (USA) 8 Anna Chakvetadze (Russia) 9 Dinara Safina (Russia) 10 Marion Bartoli (France) 4222 3806 3755 3565 2750 2676 2606 2541 2222 2035 Q3.08 QatarSport 33 O’Grady looks east for growth 34 QatarSport Q3.08 George O’Grady’s office is tucked away behind the first tee of Wentworth’s famous west course, which for the last 25 years or so has been the centre of the PGA European Tour’s world. How long this remains the case is open to question. For now, this is European golf ’s headquarters, situated deep in the London stockbroker belt, surrounded by some of the most expensive real estate in Europe. Every May, golf fans come in their thousands to watch the BMW PGA Championship, and to peek through the hedgerows of the estate’s famous residents. Where once the stucco-fronted mansions were occupied by old school bankers from the City of London and stars of the British entertainment industry, they have been largely replaced by an international elite: the stars of private equity and the Premier League, Andriy Shevchenko has spent his Chelsea sojourn here and Boris Berekovsky, the secretive exiled Russian oligarch, lives in one of the estate’s many tree line roads. In many ways the PGA at Wentworth is a throwback, to the days when the Tour’s big dates were the national open championships of Europe, held in Ireland, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. But those days are gone and they’re not coming back. George O’Grady has overseen a revolution, one that started more than 25 years ago, when the European Tour broke out of Europe. Along with former Tour Chief Executive Ken Schofield from whom he took over in 2004, O’Grady has steered a new course, one that has led to a power and influence shift from Wentworth to golf ’s new playground in the Gulf. The Dubai Desert Classic led the way, followed in 1998, by the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, which has grown into one of the key events of the early season schedule. With a $2.5million purse on offer, the Qatar event has been won by some of the game’s most illustrious players. Australian Adam Scott negotiated the 7,355 yard Doha Golf Club course to win the 2008 tournament, thereby adding his name to those of Retief Goosen, Henrik Stenson and Ernie Els among others on the trophy. From his perspective as Chief Executive of the European Tour, George O’Grady draws parallels between the Dubai’s explosive golfing growth and the potential of Qatar. “The big move will happen when they build the second golf course,” he says, noting how quickly the Doha coastline has developed since his first visit. “They have many hotels now. But at first they only had one, which is now the Doha Sheridan. As they develop the coastline, the same growth of the game in Qatar will occur as it has in Dubai.” The importance of the relationships between the Tour and countries in the region are obvious. Golf ’s traditional sponsorship model is coming under pressure. The banks and car-makers, who have long supported the sport are facing uncertain economic times. The oil wealth of Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, along with the respective governments’ tourism agenda, provides a welcome source of income. For Qatar in particular, O’Grady says golf, along with other sporting events, has helped establish the country on the world map. “A camera at a tennis event just shows a tennis court. The camera at a golf tournament shows the whole area, they are feature golf courses, which are then discussed by the commentary teams. In Qatar golf has helped attract investment into the region, and people certainly know where it is.” This year saw the second Abu Dhabi Championship and further events in the region are sure to follow. The Tour has recently gone into partnership with Axem Sports, a company operating out of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. It seems likely then that Saudi Arabia will soon be added to the Gulf Swing. O’Grady’s view of sports marketing was handed down to him by John Jacobs, a former chief of the tour. Jacobs was asked in the early 1970s what he was going to do to attract the interest of sponsors. He replied: “I won’t, I’ll be trying to create an image so sponsors will come looking for me.” This approach reached a zenith late last year with an announcement that stunned seasoned observers of the game. From 2009 the Tour’s money list will be renamed the Race to Dubai and the season will culminate in The Dubai World Championship held at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, the richest event ever staged anywhere in the world. the big interview The PGA European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady sees the future in the new golfing destinations of the Middle East and Asia Above: Last year’s Qatar Open Masters winner, Adam Scott. Following page: O’Grady relaxes with golf star Padraig Harrington as the European Tour visits the Middle East. “The big move will happen when they build the second golf course [in Doha]. In Qatar, golf has helped attract investment into the region” Q3.08 QatarSport 35 the big interview GEORGe O’Grady – continued from previous page “In China, there are masses of people being groomed and coached in golf because... it is the done thing in business” Players will be ranked according to their earnings from all events on The European Tour international schedule, including all European Tour tournaments, the Major Championships and the World Golf Championships. Players ranked from 1 to 60 in The Race to Dubai then compete in the season’s climax, the $10 million Dubai World Championship. Following this tournament, the season’s 15 top-ranked players by earnings share a Bonus Pool of $10 million. The Number One player will receive $2 million, the runner-up $1.5 million and the thirdplaced player $1 million, with prizes down to the 15th player, who will earn $250,000. “With the combined prize funds of The Dubai World Championship and The Race to Dubai, we have the prospect of a player standing over a putt for $3,666,660,” said O’Grady, when the announcement was made. The scale and ambition of the event is a direct assault on the PGA Tour, which for the first time is showing signs of status anxiety. American golf ’s hierarchy has watched on as O’Grady has spread in to the Middle East and Asia, adding lucrative new commercial partners and opening up new markets, most notably in China and India. All four World Golf Championship events, controlled by the PGA Tour are this year held in America. The Road to Dubai comes a year after Tim Finchem, O’Grady’s American counterpart, launched the FedEx series, itself a response to falling TV ratings and concerns that the game stateside is over dependent on Tiger Woods. Underpinning this anxiety is the thought of losing their trump card to an international tour, a seemingly distant prospect despite the riches on offer. Woods has said he doubts he will be in Dubai next November, saying the rigours of maintaining his European Tour card, a prerequisite of entry, will be too much. Woods’ absence would undermine the Dubai event’s World Championship claims, and it remains to be seen if the Tour will accommodate his schedule to get him in. Such is his pulling power that even mega-rich events can look pedestrian without him. For example, HSBC pulled 36 QatarSport Q3.08 out of its sponsorship of the World Matchplay, also at Wentworth, after five years of a ten-year deal, originally set to run to 2012. Woods played just once during the bank’s sponsorship of the event, losing in the first round to Shaun Micheel in 2006. “We are unashamedly about business,” says O’Grady, who was a former executive with oil company Esso. “We follow the money.” He has noted a significant change in the objectives of the Tour’s international partners. “In the early days it was about big global companies trying to break in to the China market. Now it is as much about Chinese course developments and companies promoting themselves to the world. Governments around the world have decided that golf is a good role model for its citizens, because of all the accompanying virtues of character building, leadership and etiquette that go with it”. The next step for Qatar, China and the other golf destinations is to increase participation among their own people, allowing the sport to move from something they watch to something they do. “In China, there are masses of people being coached and groomed in golf because they deem it to be acceptable and it is the done thing in business. You have to be careful who you invite to play in a Pro-Am because they always say yes”. Viewing figures play a major part in the decision making process of the new generation of tour sponsors says O’Grady. “They are very much more research driven. Whatever the euphoria they feel on the Sunday of a tournament, the chairman’s whim is no longer as important. But it is worth noting that it is still important, he or she signs it off, but now it has to be backed up with pages of figures”. The key to providing sponsors with this evidence lies in the television contracts negotiated centrally by O’Grady and his team. The European Tour is available in 80 million homes via a deal with The Golf Channel in the US, ensuring events such as the Qatar Masters is seen around the world. “It starts with having quality pictures,” says O’Grady, referring to the broadcast service provided by European Tour Productions, a joint venture between the tour and IMG Media. “We are able to guarantee high class pictures anywhere in the world. It means we are selling quality and certainty rather than hope”. As the golfing economy of Qatar grows, this sounds like good news.