An official picks Tunisia during the official draw ceremony for ANOC World Beach Games’ men’s handball event at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters, yesterday. Pictures: Mohamed Farag
Hosts Qatar have been drawn along with Spain, Hungary, Croatia and Tunisia in the men’s handball event at the ANOC World Beach Games which will be held from October 12 to 16 in Doha.
In yesterday’s draw ceremony for handball and football events for both men and women, held at the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) headquarters, the hosts were placed in Group B, one of the two five-team groups.
Group A consists of European giants Sweden and Denmark, and also includes USA, Australia and Brazil.
Two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final.
The international beach multi-sport event is organised by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and hosted by QOC in Doha.
The draw was attended by QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, ANOC Secretary-General Gunilla Lindberg and representatives of the participating International Federations.
The women’s Handball event will bring together 12 teams including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Tunisia, USA and Vietnam.
Spain has been placed in Group B along with Greece, Poland, China and Australia, while Group A consists of Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Argentina, USA and Tunisia.
The men’s football teams will be competing in four groups with the top team qualifying for the semi-finals.
Group A consists of Brazil, Switzerland, UAE and Morocco, Group B of Italy, Spain, Mexico and Solomon Islands, Group C of Iran, Paraguay, Senegal and Ukraine, and Group D consists of Russia, Japan, Uruguay and El Salvador.
In the women’s beach football event, Russia and USA women will be vying for the two spots from Group B and challenging them in the group will be two other countries Great Britain and Paraguay.
Group A will feature Brazil, Cape Verde, Spain, and Mexico,.
The two football events will be held at Katara beach while the two handball events will be staged at Al Gharafa Venue.
Speaking ahead of the draw, QOC Secretary-General Al Buenain welcomed all guests to Doha while thanking the ANOC for the confidence in choosing Qatar to host this edition of the games.
The QOC Secretary-General hoped that the first edition of the ANOC World Beach Games, Qatar 2019, would be a success.
In her speech, ANOC Secretary- General Lindberg expressed her happiness at visiting Qatar again after very successful and intensive meetings in Doha in July.
She thanked the Qatar and the QOC for hosting this special event.
“After great preparations, 46 days remain until the start of the tournament,” she said, confirming at the same time her confidence in the success of the first edition, which will be held in October despite the short period of time.
The Secretary-General added that the best teams in the world will be in Doha to participate in the ANOC World Beach Games and wished success to all participants and the organising committee of the tournament.
The Games will feature about 1230 athletes from more than 90 National Olympic Committees who will be competing in 14 disciplines in 13 sports at Katara and Al Gharafa beach and Aspire venues.
