Major General Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad, president of the Qatari and Asian federations and IAAF vice-president, received Dr Nader Halawa, president of the Palestinian Athletics Federation, at his office at Burj Al Bidda, in the presence of Secretary General Mohammed Jassim Al Kuwari. The two sides held extensive talks on a wide range of issues of mutual interest to the two fraternal federations, focusing on strengthening cooperation between them, especially as the Palestinian federation is part of the Asian federation family. The visit reflects the good relations between the two federations. Major General Dahlan noted that the visit was important, coming as part of discussions on a wide range of issues of interest to both sides, and that it reaffirmed the Asian federation’s support for all federations across the continent to help them progress and reach the best possible levels, since Asian athletics has been on a journey of building and hard work in the period ahead to establish itself internationally in the best possible way through effective participation and continued emphasis on academic and development work, noting that the Asian federation is constantly working to help national federations across the continent reach their best through ongoing support in holding championships and training, technical and coaching courses.
Major General Dahlan Al Hamad, president of the Qatari and Asian federations, stressed continued support for the Palestinian federation in any participation or championship, and working to continue providing the opportunity for it to take part in all Asian championships despite all the obstacles facing athletics in that fraternal country, noting that Qatari athletics continues to welcome the Palestinian federation’s champions and seeks to provide the resources to develop a new generation of champions from that good land. He said Asian athletics has achieved a great deal over the recent period and has proven itself at many international events, wishing everyone success at the fast-approaching Rio Olympics.
For his part, Dr Nader Halawa, president of the Palestinian Athletics Federation, thanked Major General Dahlan for his warm and generous welcome, saying relations between the Qatari and Palestinian federations are excellent and that his federation benefits greatly from the wide experience of Qatari athletics in achievements and in administrative, technical and coaching work. He said the talks also touched on cooperation with the Asian federation and boosting participation in upcoming championships, especially amid efforts to develop Palestinian athletics to help it achieve its full potential, especially given the talent that exists.
Major General Dahlan Al Hamad then presented Dr Halawa with a commemorative shield to mark his visit to Doha, wishing him every success and Palestine’s champions the best of luck. In turn, Dr Halawa presented a commemorative shield to Major General Al Hamad and to Secretary General Mohammed Jassim Al Kuwari.
Major General Dahlan leaves Doha
Major General Dahlan Al Hamad, president of the Qatari and Asian federations and IAAF vice-president, is travelling to Stockholm to attend the European Championships at the invitation of the organising committee, especially as the championships represent the biggest competition before the start of the Rio Olympics in Brazil, and will at the same time give Major General Dahlan the opportunity to meet a number of European federation presidents.
Separately, Major General Dahlan Al Hamad will lead our national youth athletics team’s delegation to the World Youth Championships in Poland at the end of this month. The delegation includes a number of future champions seeking to bring honour to Qatari athletics and achieve new marks, especially with talents capable of delivering their best after a training camp journey that began several months ago.
