Horse Racing

Doha, Qatar: The Doha Equestrian Tour wrapped up its three-day local show jumping competitions at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab on Saturday night, showcasing top-level performances from more than 120 riders and 240 horses. Total prize money for the tour exceeded QR490,000. The tour opened with the Small Tour at a height of 110 cm, where Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al-Hadi claimed first place on Carlton in 22.74 seconds. Qatar’s Hadi Mansour Al-Shahwani finished second on Monopoly in 23.99 seconds, while American Christine Vanderveen took third on Carniol in 24.22 seconds. Winners were presented their awards by Abdullah Al-Qashouti, Marketing and Communications Manager for the tournament.Event Marketing and Communications Manager Abdullah Al-Qashouti presented trophies to the podium winners of Small Tour. In the Silver Round at 130 cm, Kuwait’s Anaz Al-Anaz topped the leaderboard with a time of 52.05 seconds on De Leones. Vanderveen placed second on Ranz Marie (53.51 seconds) and Saudi rider Abdullah Al-Sharbatly finished third on Dantorido (53.98 seconds). Awards were presented by Salmeen Al-Suwaidi, tournament sports director. Day two began with the Bronze Round at 120 cm, where Al-Hadi again finished first on Carlton (23.14 seconds), Vanderveen was second on Liones (24.03 seconds), and Al-Shahwani third on Monopoly (24.27 seconds). Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, stables manager for the championship, crowned the winners. The Gold Round at 140 cm saw Saudi rider Abdullah Al-Sharbatly win on Fiumicino in 30.84 seconds. Syrian rider Mohammed Mughith came second on Jaguar (31.08 seconds) and Kuwaiti Anaz Al-Anaz was third on De Lions (31.55 seconds). Winners were presented by Abdulrahman Al-Khayarin, deputy facilities manager. The final Diamond League competition 150 cm with a jump-off, was won by Austrian Geoffrey Backe on Equitron in 30.54 seconds. Al-Sharbatly took second on Valentino (31.2 seconds), and Vanderveen finished third on Starbucks (31.68 seconds). All three completed the course without faults. Awards were presented by Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al Thani, assistant tournament director.Assistant Tournament Director Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al-Thani honoured the winners of Diamond category. In a statement, Sheikh Talal said the local competitions are an integral part of the Doha Equestrian Tour, providing riders with opportunities to maintain competitive readiness and continue training in a professional environment ahead of international events. He emphasised that prize money is designed to motivate riders and support their development. “We are closely monitoring developments and maintaining continuous communication with our partners and relevant authorities, including the International Equestrian Federation, to obtain the necessary official approvals to resume international tours as soon as possible,” Sheikh Talal said. The three-day event highlighted the continuity and resilience of equestrian sport in Doha, drawing top riders from the region and abroad and underlining the city’s commitment to providing a safe and competitive environment for athletes and horses alike.

Football

Barcelona: Raphinhabagged a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 5-2 to restore their four-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday. After Real Madrid cut the gap by beating Elche on Saturday the Spanish champions responded by romping to a comfortable victory. Dani Olmo and Joao Cancelo also struck for Hansi Flick's side, who host Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Club members streamed to the stadium before the game to vote in the club's presidential elections, with either Joan Laporta or Victor Font to be announced the new chief later on Sunday night. "Three points more, one game less and we scored five goals, it was good to see," Flick told reporters, although he called for a sharper all-round performance on Wednesday. "We have to be focused for the next game because Newcastle is a great team. "I'm not negative, I just think about what can be better." After the 1-1 draw in Newcastle in the last-16 first leg, Flick left Lamine Yamal on the bench and handed youngster Xavi Espart his first start, at right-back. Barcelona were handed two penalties by a sorry Sevilla side to get off to the perfect start at the partially-rebuilt Camp Nou, which finally received clearance to open the north stand. Around 56,000 fans attended and they were able to watch a fairly straightforward rout of the Andalucians, 14th. Djibril Sow clumsily clipped rampaging Barca full-back Cancelo in the box andRaphinhadinked home from the spot to open the scoring in the ninth minute. 0The Brazilian winger was afforded another penalty to put Barca two goals up when Jose Angel Carmona, lying on the floor, handled as Cancelo tried to dribble around him. This timeRaphinhafired it low to the left and although Odysseas Vlachodimos went the right way he could not keep it out. The hosts netted a third in the 38th minute when Marc Bernal's deflected cross from the left found Olmo, who produced a clinical finish. Sevilla pulled one back before the break when Juanlu Sanchez got in behind Cancelo and crossed for Oso to score unmarked at the back post. Raphinhacompleted his hat-trick early in the second half with a heavily deflected shot as Barca strolled in the spring sunshine. "Playing like this it's hard for teams to beat us,"Raphinhatold DAZN. "I love this club, and the way to respond from the love I receive from the fans is by scoring goals and kissing the badge. "Until the last day (I'm here) I will give the best of myself." Cancelo capped an impressive attacking display with a goal of his own, driving into the box and finishing through Vlachodimos's legs. Barca coach Flick sent on 21-year-old midfielder Gavi for the final 10 minutes after a severe knee injury, and Ronald Araujo handed him the captain's armband. "It has been very tough, if I'm honest," Gavi told DAZN of his recovery process, on his first appearance since August. The Spain international also missed most of the 2023/24 season out injured. "This time was much harder than the last time, I was having a bad time of it. It was more of a painful process and it was harder for me day to day," continued Gavi. "But this feeling (to be back at) Camp Nou, with my people, with the fans and all my team-mates is unique and I'm really happy." Sow pulled another one back for Sevilla in stoppage time, nodding home Oso's cross, with Barcelona already thinking about Newcastle's visit on Wednesday. "Barcelona are very good... I think that the two quick penalties (given away) hurt us a lot, after that it was a difficult game," said Sevilla defender Nemanja Gudelj.

Motosports

Doha: Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC) confirm that the MotoGP QATAR AIRWAYS GRAND PRIX OF QATAR 2026, originally scheduled for April 10 to 12, has been postponed and rescheduled to November 6-8 later this year President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said: "The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC) respect and support the decision of the MotoGP Sport and Entertainment Group to postpone the MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar to November 6-8, 2026. We sincerely thank our fans, teams and partners for their understanding and ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Lusail International Circuit." For his part, CEO of MotoGP, Carmelo Ezpeleta said: "This decision was taken with great care and in full coordination with our partners in Qatar and across the paddock. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of everyone involved in MotoGP, as well as ensuring that every Grand Prix is delivered to the highest possible standard. We also recognise the importance of providing clarity for our fans as early as possible and ticket holders will be given the opportunity to rollover their tickets to the next event" The event will welcome the world's premier motorcycle racing championship back to Lusail International Circuit, continuing Qatar's long standing role on the MotoGP calendar. Since first hosting a MotoGP round in 2004, LIC has become one of the most distinctive venues in the championship, staging the sport's first ever night race in 2008 to date and establishing itself as one of the most iconic settings in global motorcycle racing.