Al Khor club sprang a heavyweight surprise in the cross-country relay championship for cadets after its stars claimed first place, getting the better of major clubs such as Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, in competitions held at Aspire Park attended by Khalifa Abdulmalik, the federation’s executive director, and the championship itself, as well as the attendance of Mai Al Mohammadi, federation board member. The cross-country championship saw a large turnout that exceeded all previous championships in terms of the number of promising stars who proved their readiness for the long season. Khalifa Abdulmalik congratulated Al Khor club on its achievement, saying what was accomplished was not the product of chance but the result of the work put in by the administrative and technical staff, culminating in the presence of talent capable of presenting a positive image in any competition, especially since this is not the club’s first title this season. He also congratulated Al Jaish and Al Arabi on taking the runner-up and third places, and said: the new season has begun with good tidings, confirming the work put in by club officials to prepare their stars or attract new talent, which contributes to strengthening competition among all the clubs rather than confining it between one club and another, and Khalifa wished all the clubs success in the upcoming track and field championships, especially since the first of the upcoming championships will be the indoor championship, a challenge that will reveal the extent of everyone’s readiness for the full championship
In the final result, Al Khor finished first after its stars covered the distance in 29:05.11, Al Jaish came second in 29:21.36, while Al Arabi came third recording 29:52.26, Qatar SC fourth in 31:44.55, Al Wakrah fifth recording 31:55.68, Al Sadd sixth in 31:55.97, Al Gharafa came seventh in 32:42.51, Al Rayyan eighth in 34:37.37, while Al Ahli did not succeed in the changeover
Naeem Hammad, general supervisor of athletics at Al Khor club, expressed his happiness at the complete success in the cadets’ cross-country championship, and dedicated the trophy to HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, the club’s president, and to Mohammed Muqlid Al Muraikhi, the secretary, and to all of Al Khor club’s fans and the people of the city, saying the long work and effort put in by the technical staff contributed to excelling in this championship as in others, and that Al Khor is no longer an easy number in Qatar athletics but has become a competitor in every championship and is seriously seeking new titles in every category, because the goal is to keep progressing, not slipping back, and he thanked the club’s stars for the effort put in, as well as the administrative and technical staff
Meanwhile, Mai Al Mohammadi, federation board member, noted that the girls’ non-participation in the cross-country championship does not reflect any shortcoming, but rather that the focus is on working towards the upcoming Asian Championships scheduled for Doha, and that she hopes our national team’s female champions will achieve full excellence in the future, since the technical factor is the ultimate goal, namely reaching the best possible standard for the upcoming events. She affirmed that the local season has begun excellently and has seen active participation from all the clubs, which bodes well, with all participants determined to deliver their best levels and reach the podium
