Mohammed al Suwaidi wins Big Tour of Longines Hathab 1st round PAGE 14 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019

Asian men’s qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

IHF vice-prez applauds Qatar’s hosting of qualifiers QNA

ader al Theyab, the Inter- Bnational Handball Federa- tion (IHF) Vice-President and Asian Handball Federation (AHF) treasurer, has praised the outstanding organization of the on-going Asian men’s 2020 Olympics qualifiers in Doha, enhancing Qatar’s reputation in hosting most prominent sporting events and forums in the world. In his remarks, Al Theyab said that Qatar has pro- vided everything possible for the success of the Asian handball qualifiers for the Olympics, saying that the event is a success from the organizational aspect as preparation for it began long ago to provide all needed facilities to the participating delegations. He pointed out that the eight teams participating in the qualifying competition will play tough matches for one direct card to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, adding the strong competi- A Qatar player shapes up to score as India’s goalkeeper struggles to make a save during their Asian men’s 2020 Olympic qualifying group match at the Duhail Sports Hall on Saturday. Qatar won 40-10. tion is between six teams capable of wining the qualifi- cation card. The IHF Vice-President noted the large presence on the opening day of the competitions, which will Qatar storm into semis contribute to the success of the event and ensure its success, expecting that Hosts hand India big defeat the numbers of spectators will increase in the coming matches and that everyone to march on in Group A will enjoy the technical per- formance in light of strong TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar, Saudi Arabia, In- competitions. DOHA dia, and Hong Kong make the Al Theyab said that the Group A. Qatari team has strong HOSTS Qatar lived up to Group B comprises Bah- chances of qualifying. their tag as favourites as they rain, South Korea, Iran and Ku- He noted the Kuwaiti steamrolled past a hapless In- wait (who have returned to the team’s return to competi- dia 40-10 and storm into the the IHF fold following the lift- tions and its ability to semi-finals of the Asian men’s ing of their 2015 suspension). achieve good results in view qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 The qualification tourna- of its high-level players, Olympics at the Duhail Sports ment, which ends on October in addition to the fact that Hall on Saturday. 26, sees eight teams battle to Kuwaiti team has a history of The three-time Asian cham- grab a spot alongside Japan, winning titles at the conti- pions and runners-up at the who have already qualified au- nental level. 2015 World Championships, tomatically as hosts. The IHF Vice-President Qatar led 18-4 at half time. The top two teams of each thanked the Qatar Handball Watched by local officials group advance to the semi- Association for the great including the Qatar Olympic finals and then final, with the efforts exerted, the warm Committee Secretary-general winner booking their ticket hospitality and the excellent Jassim Rashid al Buenain, the through to the Tokyo 2020 organization, expressing his home team came up with a Olympic Games. The runner- confidence that organization spirited display to stay on top up will qualify for the IHF will be the best possible at in the preliminaries of Group A. Olympic qualification in April. the various levels, as had Qatar had thrashed Hong Qatar will now play Saudi happened in previous qualifi- Kong 49-14 in their opening Arabia in their next and final cation that were held in Doha match last Thursday. preliminary match on Mon- in 2015, during which Qatar India, who lost their last day at 6pm. The semi-final national team qualified for the match to Saudi Arabia are now is scheduled for October 24 Olympic Games Rio 2016. Qatar players applaud the audience after their match against India at the Duhail Sports Hall on Saturday. left with an uphill task. (Thursday).

Qatar did a very good job: IHF President Moustafa on inaugural World Beach Games ‘I hope the IOC can help us include at 2024 Olympic Games in Paris’

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK sociation of National Olympic World Beach Games will help America, the Caribbean and DOHA Committees (ANOC) accepted them take the sport to Olym- South & Central America) par- to put beach handball in the pics. “I would also like to ex- ticipating at the World Beach THE International Handball debut edition of the ANOC press my thanks to the IHF Games in Qatar, Dr Moustafa Federation (IHF) President World Beach Games. Beach Handball Working felt this will help promote the Dr Hassan Moustafa, who “I also have to give my grati- Group; they did a very good sport further. was in Qatar to attend the fi- tude to the organisers as well as job for us and I hope that it “This is the main thing nals of the ANOC World Beach all my gratitude and thanks to will continue. about how we can promote Games – Qatar 2019, heaped the teams, trainers and refer- I hope the International our sport. We are very strong praise on the inaugural edition ees; they all did a very good job. Olympic Committee (IOC) can not only in Europe, but for saying, “Qatar did a very good I am very happy and satisfied help us include beach handball beach handball at these ANOC job” as hosts. with the results, with the specta- at the 2024 Olympic Games in World Beach Games we had all Expressing his views, Dr. tors, with everything at the first Paris,” said Dr. Moustafa. the continental teams taking Moustafa said, “I am very ANOC World Beach Games.” With all the six IHF con- part. I am sure in the future, happy to be here in Qatar and The IHF president hoped tinental champions (Africa, smaller countries can do well International Handball Federation (IHF) President Dr Hassan Moustafa (centre), who attended the inaugu- also very happy that the As- handball’s big presence at Asia, Europe, Oceania, North at the beach games,” he said. ral edition of the ANOC World Beach Games 2019 said, “Qatar did a very good job” as hosts.