Qatar has continued its supremacy as the sports hub after hosting an unprecedented FIFA World Cup that was rated as the best ever edition in history of the tournament.
The months following the remarkable football showpiece saw a rise in world class sports events staged in Qatar as the Gulf state maintained excellence as home to major competitions.
The first three months of 2023 witnessed Qatar staging many international competitions ranging from popular tennis, equestrian, golf, fencing, gymnastics, volleyball and shooting besides many other events.
Under the aegis of the Qatar Olympic Committee, several tournaments were held in January including the Fencing Grand Prix and King of the Court Beach Volleyball Championship setting the stage for action-filled February, which was the busiest month for sports in Qatar. Tennis, padel and equestrian events hogged the limelight as Qatar hosted world’s best competitors.
The iconic Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex remained centre of attraction by hosting the Qatar TotalEnergies Open – a WTA 500 event – from February 13 to February 18 followed by the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, featuring top players on men’s circuit, from February 20 to 26.
The venue then staged the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel from February 26, culminating three weeks of consecutive action on March 5. Al Shaqab’s magnificent Longines Arena also remained a busy venue in late February and early March staging the CHI Al Shaqab and the season-opening leg of 2023 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and GCL seasons. World’s best combinations of horses and riders displayed their skills in the prestigious equestrian events.
In between the two competitions, the Longines Arena also hosted teams from Africa and the Middle East including hosts Qatar at the Doha International Showjumping Championship which included the Nations Cup – an Olympic qualifying event. Qatar Golf Association also hosted two tournaments in February and March with the inaugural edition of the International Series Qatar – the third leg of the 2023 Asian Tour and the second leg of the Asian Tour’s International Series – taking place from February 16 to 19 bringing top-ranked golfers at the picturesque Doha Golf Club.
The venue then hosted the 37th edition of Qatar Open Golf Amateur Championship as over 125 golfers battled for top honours from March 2 to 4.
Among other events staged in Qatar last month was the ISSF World Cup Shotgun Doha 2023 that was held at the Lusail Shooting Complex with over 450 marksmen from 63 countries showcasing their skills from March 4 to 13.
The country will continue to host such events in the coming months as many other competitions are listed on QOC’s annual calendar.
