Qatar Stars League holds Ordinary General Assembly meeting

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) held its Ordinary General Assembly meeting yesterday. It was attended by Minister of Sports and Youth and QSL President H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, QSL CEO, members of the Executive Committee, Presidents and representatives of club companies (General Assembly members) and QSL Executive Directors. fishroad-app.com

H E Sheikh Hamad welcomed the attendees, wishing everyone success for the ongoing 2026-2027 football season. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between QSL and clubs to achieve desired goals and aspirations while supporting the development and advancement of Qatar football at all levels.

QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan reviewed the meeting agenda. The proceedings included the formal ratification of Ordinary General Assembly meeting in accordance with QSL statutes, the acceptance of agenda and appointment of members to record and review the meeting minutes.

Furthermore, the assembly approved the minutes of previous General Assembly meeting held on June 2, 2025, and accepted the annual report on QSL activities. The meeting also saw the presentation and approval of QSL’s audited financial statements, the independent auditor’s report and a proposal to amend the statutes.

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Classic 2026 opens tomorrow at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, and the draw brings together a number of heavyweight round-one clashes.

A number of champions, former champions and home hero Abdulla Al-Tamimi will enter the fray today at the prestigious indoor sports venue in Doha.

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World No.1 Mostafa Asal will begin his Qatar Classic title campaign against Switzerland’s Nicolas Muller, with the Egyptian determined to avoid another near-miss in Doha. Asal has finished runner-up at the Qatar Classic in each of the past two years, and the top seed will be determined to go all the way to the top this time.

Four-time champion Mohamed ElShorbagy also begins his campaign against France’s Bernat Jaume, while No.3 seed and former champion Diego Elias faces American Timothy Brownell.

Elias remains one of the most consistent players on the PSA Tour and could face Asal in the semi-finals if the seeding holds. If both of them reach the semis, it would be their fifth meeting of the year.

Defending men’s champion Paul Coll will also be in action, opening his title defence against India’s Veer Chothrani. The New Zealander is bidding to claim his second Qatar Classic crown.

For the home crowd, the spotlight will be on 2016 champion Karim Abdel Gawad, who faces Al-Tamimi.

Al-Tamimi returned to competition last month following injury and is using the Qatar Classic as valuable preparation ahead of the Asian Games in Japan. Qatar’s other representative, Salem Al-Malki, will take on France’s Melvil Scianimanico.

On the women’s side, defending champion Hania El Hammamy starts against fellow Egyptian Hana Moataz. El Hammamy has already lifted the Qatar Classic trophy twice, in 2023 and 2025.

El Hammamy will be also looking to defend her World No.1 status, which will be challenged by World No.2 and reigning World Champion Amina Orfi who faces fellow Egyptian Hana Ramadan.

Meanwhile, former World No.1 and World Champion Nouran Gohar is back on the PSA Tour after a year away following the birth of her first child in April.

Gohar’s comeback begins against compatriot Kenzy Ayman, in what promises to be a demanding first test for the 2024 Qatar Classic runner-up. Four-time finalist Nour ElSherbini, seeded No.3, opens against Egypt’s Nada Abbas, while USA No.1 Olivia Weaver, seeded fourth, is in action against Egypt’s Sana Ibrahim.

Doha: The Qatar Football Association announced today that the national team will play a friendly match against Australia on November 13 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

This friendly match is part of the Al-Annabi team's preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup finals, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year.

The team, winner of the last two editions in 2019 and 2023, will compete in the 19th edition of the continental tournament in Group F alongside Japan, the record-holder with four titles, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The Qatari team is also gearing up for the 27th Gulf Cup (Gulf 27), also hosted by Saudi Arabia from September 23 to October 6. The draw placed Qatar in Group B alongside the UAE, Bahrain, and Yemen, while Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait.

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) Ordinary General Assembly has approved the appointment of Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, as president of the association until the 2027 elective General Assembly.

The assembly also approved the appointment of Sheikh Dr. Tamim bin Mohammed Al-Thani as Vice President for the same period.

The Ordinary General Assembly was attended by H E Sheikh Hamad, Sheikh Dr. Tamim, members of the QFA Executive Committee and the Secretary General, as well as representatives of member clubs, department directors, committee heads and members.

Among the other key decisions approved during the meeting were amendments to the QFA’s statutes.

The assembly also rejected the membership application of Al Dafna Sports Club to become a member of the Qatar Football Association.

With the 2027 General Assembly scheduled to be an elective assembly, members voted to renew the QFA Elections Committee. The committee comprises Abdullah Hamed Al Mulla, Dr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Emadi, Ali Salem Afifa, Dr. Mahmoud Ali Al Mahmoud and Eid Ali Al Marikhi.

A short film highlighting the federation’s recent activities was also screened during the meeting.

The assembly subsequently completed a number of procedural and administrative items in accordance with the QFA statutes. Members approved the minutes of the previous General Assembly, held on June 2, 2025, as well as the federation’s activity report covering initiatives and activities carried out since the previous assembly.

The audited financial statements for the 2025 financial year were also presented and approved, together with the independent external auditor’s report. The assembly additionally approved the QFA’s budget for the 2026 financial year and appointed members to review the meeting minutes and a committee to oversee the counting of ballots.

In his closing remarks, H E Sheikh Hamad thanked Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi for their efforts and contributions during the previous period, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and collective work to advance Qatari football at all levels.

He highlighted the central role of clubs in achieving the ambitions of the game and stressed the importance of providing them with continued support to ensure steady progress and development.

Looking ahead to the federation’s strategy, H E Sheikh Hamad said greater attention should be given to youth categories, which he described as the foundation and true future of Qatari football.

He also stressed the importance of developing and supporting national footballing talent, particularly Qatari coaches, and called for them to be given greater opportunities to take charge of the technical leadership of clubs. H E Sheikh Hamad expressed strong confidence in Qatar’s football talent and emphasised collective effort would remain a key foundation for the continued development and success of the game in the country.