Al Sadd and Al Khor won the titles at the first Qatari club relay championships, held on the outer track of Khalifa International Stadium with the participation of clubs affiliated to the athletics federation: Al Sadd, Al Arabi, Al Gharafa, Qatar SC, Al Wakrah, Al Jaish, Al Khor, Al Shamal Al Ahli and Al Rayyan. The newly introduced championship falls in line with the international federation’s calendar for the discipline, having been officially adopted among its world championships, noting that Qatar’s relay team took part in the first such championship, hosted by a Caribbean country last year, to gain experience and useful exposure.
Al Sadd claimed the relay title and first place in the men’s category with 27 points, with Al Khor finishing runner-up on 18 points, Qatar SC third on 17 points, Al Rayyan fourth on 14 points, Al Ahli fifth on 13 points, Al Arabi sixth on 10 points, Al Wakrah seventh on 7 points, and Al Gharafa eighth on one point.
Al Khor’s champions took first place in the youth category
with 25 points, with Al Jaish finishing runner-up on 23 points, Al Sadd third on 16 points, Al Gharafa fourth on 10 points, Al Arabi fifth on 9 points, Al Wakrah sixth on 8 points, Qatar SC seventh on 6 points, Al Ahli eighth on 5 points, and Al Rayyan ninth on 3 points.
After the competition concluded, amid celebrations from Al Sadd and Al Khor, Abdulhakim Al Amri, a board member of the athletics federation and head of its technical committee, crowned the teams that finished in first place at the first relay championship, presenting the men’s trophy to Al Sadd’s chief coach and the youth trophy to Naim Hammad, head of Al Khor’s athletics section, while the runner-up and third-placed teams in both categories also received their trophies amid celebrations from the title and medal winners.
Abdulhakim Al Amri, a board member of the Qatar Athletics Federation and head of its technical committee, praised the successful start and the excellent technical level shown by the clubs in the newly introduced relay competition, in line with the international federation’s calendar for the discipline, noting that relay races are a cornerstone of the exciting sprint events that crown championships and enjoy huge popularity, reflecting the strength and competence of the runners and their ability to perform in harmony, along with team spirit, cooperation and unity in pursuit of the goal of leading the race. Al Amri congratulated Al Sadd and Al Khor on winning first place in the men’s and youth categories, and also congratulated the other teams that finished runner-up and third, wishing the rest better luck in future championships, and viewing the first championship also as an opportunity for the athletes to gain experience and get used to competing in relay races, which, as noted, matter a great deal for runners at major championships. In closing his remarks, Al Amri renewed his congratulations to the clubs that won titles, wishing everyone continued success.
