The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) published yesterday on its website the Spectrum Plan for the FIFA World Cup – Qatar 2022 to match with the opening day of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, which is going to be hosted by Qatar after two years from November 21 to December 18, 2022.

The publication is in compliance with FIFA requirements to publish the Spectrum Plan two years before the start of the event by the responsible authority in the host country.

CRA has started the development of the plan last year by meeting with representatives of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), FIFA and a number of experts representing Broadcast Host. The meetings continued during this year to discuss the CRA’s drafted plan, and it led to accepting the plan details and various programs. It takes into account all the aspects related to hosting this international event from the spectrum perspective, in order to achieve the desired success for the event before and during its hosting in the state of Qatar.

Source: Hukoomi Government of Qatar

DOHA, The Qatar Handball Association yesterday announced the squad of Qatar men’s national handball team in preparation for the 2021 IHF World Championship in Egypt.

Team Qatar will begin their training sessions on Saturday at Duhail Arena under the leadership of their coach Valero Rivera.

As per the draw held recently, Qatar will play in group C alongside Croatia, Japan and Angola.

Qatar qualified for the World Handball Championships by virtue of winning the men’s Asian Championship in Kuwait earlier this year, when they beat South Korea 33-21.

The Squad: Mahmoud Zaki, Omar Khalid Abdelfattah, Ahmad Madadi, Rafael Capote, Shadi Hazem, Firas Chaieb, Moustafa Al Karad, Danijel Saric, Yousef Al Tayeb, Wajdi Sinen, Zainadin Bu Menjel, Ali Jarba, Mostasem Abdulwahed, Kamalaldin Mallash, Ameen Zakkar, Jovo Damjanović, Eldar Memisevic, Ali Adnan Al Deri, Ahmed Majdi, Hassan Awad, Moustafa Heiba, Mohamed Ebaidi, Ali Sasi and Frankis Marzo.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

Doha, HE Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned Egypt’s World No.1 Ali Farag, champion of Qatar Classic 2020, after his 3-1 victory over New Zealand’s World No.5 Paul Coll in the final match.

The Egyptian player defeated New Zealander 11/8, 6/11, 11/9, and 11/9 in the 61-minute game at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

HE President of the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, Secretary-General of the Federation Tariq Zainal, and Alex Goff, CEO of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Alex Gough attended the final match.

With his victory at the PSA World Tour Platinum event, Farag, 28, not only extended his head-to-head lead over the Kiwi, also 28, to 13-1, but he equally lifted his 21st PSA title in tow. The 2018-19 PSA World Champion also joined the elitist club of two-time champions in Doha which up till now has only three players – Mohamed ElShorbagy (2017, 2015, 2013), Karim Darwish (2010, 2008) and Peter Nicol (2002, 2001) as members.

For his effort, the Harvard-graduate not only lifted the championship trophy, but he also walked away with the $26,000 winner’s prize money.

The Qatar Classic 2020 was the Egyptian’s second title in succession since the Tour restarted following the six-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Farag had claimed victory at the CIB Egyptian Open last month to reclaim the top spot in world rankings.

“The first time I couldn’t believe it, and this time around I can’t believe it even more,” said Farag following the match. “When I was younger, I used to watch the Qatar Classic and see all the great names of our sport lifting that trophy and I could only imagine standing there one day. To do it twice is an amazing feeling. We’ve been playing with each other for a good few years now, he wasn’t necessarily a very good junior or the most talented, but he’s a living example of inspiration.”

For Coll, however, it marks the second year of frustration in Qatar following his defeat to World No.3 Tarek Momen in the PSA Men’s World Championship final on the same court 12 months ago. It was his second Platinum final appearance, with his first at the Windy City Open back in March also ending in a defeat to Farag.

Coll said, “It’s a hard feeling at the moment. I’m obviously very happy to reach another final here in Qatar; it’s a great tournament and a fantastic location. “I always love coming here, and I’ve played well here year in, year out. I wanted it pretty bad today but fell short. It’s a tough one to swallow, but Ali is World No.1 for a reason, and he played the end of every game very well, so well done to Ali.”​

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s homebred WEETAMOO (IRE) (Le Havre x Wild Silva) made a winning debut in Prix de Pomerol, a race for unraced juvenile fillies over 1900 metres at Bordeaux on Saturday, 7 November.

The Philippe Sogorb-trained runner enjoyed a good trip, having sat on the heels of the leaders, and showed commendable courage by reeling in MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (Muhtathir) at the wire to win by a short head with Anthony Crastus in the saddle.

WEETAMOO is a daughter of LE HAVRE and the German mare WILD SILVA. The latter was placed at group level and is a sister of WILD COCO, who, herself, was a Gr2 winner and placed in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1).

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club

H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s homebred BIG FIVE (GB) (Frankel x Louvain) maintained his unbeaten record by proving a clear winner of the Prix Gay Mécèn, a class 1 race run over 2,400 metres for three-year-olds at Saint-Cloud on Saturday, 7 November.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden on this occasion by Olivier Peslier, BIG FIVE won very cosily after leaving BARATIN (FR) (Tin Horse) three lengths in his wake. BIG FIVE’s previous two career outings were at Clairefontaine and Compiègne and he emerged victorious on both occasions. He clearly relishes the heavy going.

Bred by Al Shahania Stud, BIG FIVE is a son of FRANKEL (Galileo). His dam is the Gr3 placed LOUVAIN (Sinndar). She already produced two black type winners, including the champion FLOTILLA (Mizzen Mast), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Gr1) and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1).

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club