Unifying Power of Sport Now More Important Than Ever
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CCRICKETRICKET | Page 2 GGOLFOLF | Page 7 Australia Rose storms poised to home to win secure Ashes Indonesian despite rain Masters Monday, December 18, 2017 FOOTBALL Rabia I 30, 1439 AH Man United down GULF TIMES Albion, Liverpool rock Bournemouth SPORT Page 4 FOCUS Unifying power of sport now more important than ever By Sheikh Joaan bin diversity of Qatar carried the fl ag 200km across Hamad al-Thani our country and its most iconic landmarks, President, Qatar transporting it via a wide-variety of sporting Olympic Committee activities including running, cycling, rowing, sailing, wheelchair racing and more, before culminating in a unifying celebration at the ach year, Qa- heart of Qatar’s National Day festivities, Darb tar National Al Saai. The Team Qatar fl ag relay was a won- Day provides derful occasion that showcased the very best of a wonderful our nation and its people, whilst transmitting Eopportunity for us all a message of peace, friendship and solidar- to refl ect on our na- ity, spreading the Olympic values and uniting tion’s progress and come together to celebrate everyone through Team Qatar. the achievements and inspirational spirit of our Our National Day celebrations also recog- people and our country. This year, it feels more nised the outstanding achievements of our poignant than ever to take this moment to re- athletes on the world stage throughout the past fl ect and commemorate our journey and how far year, and it is the diversity of these achieve- we have come together. ments that has made me most proud. In May, Over recent months, I have been incred- Al-Dana al-Mubarak became our fi rst female ibly humbled by how our nation has united athlete to win a gold medal at the Islamic through a shared pride and love for Qatar. We Solidarity Games as she claimed the 25m pistol are an ambitious and optimistic nation, driven shooting title, whilst teammate Kholood forward by our solidarity and the strength and al-Khalaf won bronze in the mixed team trap ability of our people to achieve the very best for shooting, refl ecting the strength and exciting our country. His Highness the Emir of Qatar future potential of our young female shooting has outlined that this year’s National Day will team. In June, 19-year-old Fares Ibrahim was represent the ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory’ crowned World Junior Champion in weightlift- and from what I have witnessed of all residents ing, adding to his 2016 Asian Games title and of Qatar, I am more confi dent than ever that, seventh placing at the Rio 2016 Olympics. together, we will achieve a bright and prosper- Our prodigious talent continued his strong ous future. form by claiming a silver medal in the Clean & For me, sport transcends everything that this Jerk in his fi rst senior World Championships in year’s National Day celebrations epitomise and early December and as the youngest weightlift- it is for this reason that sport is at the heart of er in the competition, proving once again that our nation’s future development plans. Sport he will be one of the key weightlifters to watch showcases the very best of humanity and it in- at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In July, our para- spires humanity to give the very best version of athletes made further history at the London itself. It inspires us all to push our boundaries, 2017 World Championships. breakdown barriers and set our goals higher. It Abdelrahman Abdelqader became Qatar’s brings together diff erent cultures, backgrounds fi rst-ever Para-Athletics World Champion with and beliefs and promotes inclusivity, diversity gold in the T34 shot put, and Sara Masoud, Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Minister of Culture and Sport HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, Sheikh and respect. Sport is an incredibly powerful who last year became Qatar’s fi rst-ever global Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, rallying and shooting star Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, high jump sensation Mutaz Barshim among others at Al Adaam national tool to guide the aspirations, hopes and dreams female medallist with Paralympic silver at Rio flag raising ceremony at Darb Al Saai, marking the conclusion of the Team Qatar flag relay in celebration of Qatar National Day 2017. of our young people. 2016, added another silver medal to her collec- This is why I love sport so much and this is tion, also in the T34 shot put. Just a few weeks Award for best athlete in Asia in 2017, Mutaz con- hood, encouraging active play and exploration for unique chance to showcase the very best of why we launched our new ‘Team Qatar’ brand later in the same London Stadium, 20-year- cluded the year by winning the prestigious IAAF 0-7 year olds to help them develop motor skills each sport to new audiences, capture the atten- and strategy earlier this year, which embodies old Abdelalah Haroun built on his 2016 World World Athlete of the Year title, taking the crown that will become eff ective later in life. The launch tion of new generations of athletes, and inspire the shared values of our nation and of sport. Youth Championship gold medal to claim a from Usain Bolt. In doing so, Mutaz became the was a huge success and it was a pleasure to simply our young people to participate in sport at any Every day our own athletes are striving to bet- senior World Championship bronze medal in fi rst high-jumper and the fi rst athlete from our see how much fun and enjoyment the children level. We are incredibly honoured and excited ter themselves and to make Qatar proud. They a strong 400m fi nal. In September, our young region to win the award. Mutaz is a truly deserved got from participating in the sporting activities. to host these events and progress is very much show what can be achieved through hard work, equestrian athlete, Hamad al-Attiyah, shone winner and we could not be prouder of him for I’ve no doubt that a future Mutaz Barshim was on track, continuing unaff ected by the current determination, self-belief and fair play. There at the Ashgabat 2017 Asian Martial Arts and demonstrating what can be achieved through amongst them! political situation. are no better role models for our young people Indoor Games as he won Qatar’s fi rst gold in the dedication and determination, and for consist- Another signifi cant opportunity to inspire Most importantly, we are committed to host- and, through our new brand, we are determined individual show jumping, adding another vic- ently fl ying the fl ag high for Qatar. He is humble, future sporting heroes will be through our ing these events to the highest possible level, to place a greater focus on our heroes, sharing tory to our equestrian team’s recent accolades. hardworking and an inspirational role model to upcoming World Championships. This year, continuing to show the world what Qatar is their stories, showcasing their journeys, and However, the highlight of the year for Qatari young people in Qatar and around the world. as part of momentous handover ceremonies, capable of and creating a unique and memora- inspiring our nation through their incredible sport was created once again by our sporting The Qatar Olympic Committee is committed to we had the honour to receive the fl ags for the ble experience for everyone that participates achievements. Our athletes are constantly fl y- legend, Mutaz Barshim. Following another out- building on these achievements and ensuring that FIG Artistic Gymnastics and IAAF Athletics – whether that be spectators, athletes, coaches, ing Qatar’s fl ag high and it is our ambition to standing season where he became world cham- our development systems continue to produce World Championships, which Doha is hosting offi cials, media, volunteers and more. We fi rmly unite our nation in pride through Team Qatar. pion, won the Diamond League Trophy, became more and more Qatari champions. In October this in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Both events will believe in the power of sport to unite, inspire It was with this vision in mind that we organ- the fi rst high-jumper to be undefeated in an entire year, we successfully rolled out the fi rst stage of be staged in the Middle East for the fi rst time in and transform lives in Qatar and around the ised this year’s National Day Team Qatar fl ag season since 2004 and jumped over 2.40m for Kun Riyadi, our Athlete Development Pathway their histories and bringng world. This is exactly what the Olympic spirit relay. Over 400 athletes, schoolchildren, sports the fi fth consecuconsecutive year, and received that has the objectiveective to identify, nurture and with them a is aallll aaboutbout anandd tthishis is tthehe funfundamentaldamental fans and insinspirationalpirational individuindividu-- ANANOCANOC’sOC’s s develop talent aatt every stage of an athlete’s career. ethos of Team QQatar.atar. als rerepresentingpresenting the TThehe fi rst stastagege fofocusesocuses on early cchild-hild- Abdelrahman Abdelqader won gold at Fares Ibrahim won silver at 2017 2017 World ParaAthletics Championships. Al Dana al-Mubarak won gold Weightlifting Worlds. at Islamic Solidarity Games. Mutaz Barshim kissing his London 2017 World Championship gold medal. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 18, 2017 CRICKET 3RD ASHES TEST Australia poised to secure ‘We’d love to have stayed out there for another today, but we’ll come Ashes despite rain back tomorrow for the other six’ AFP ‘IT’S GOING TO BE TOUGH’ Perth More rain is forecast for today, although it is only predicted to be a problem before Scorecard lunchtime.