Major General Dahlan blesses the Gulf achievement and hopes the success continues
Khalifa Abdulmalik: our champions have taken a positive step towards the intended goal
Our national women’s athletics team delegation received a wonderful floral reception at Hamad International Airport after their golden Gulf achievement, following their outstanding performance at the fourth edition of the GCC Women’s Sports Championship in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Khalifa Abdulmalik, director of national teams and the Qatar federation’s executive director, received the delegation, in the presence of a number of parents, amid well-deserved joy from our golden champions.
Major General Dahlan Al Hamad, president of the Qatari and Asian federations and IAAF vice-president, had congratulated our national team’s champions on their great achievement, saying what had been achieved showed that our champions were reaching their intended goal through continuous development and reaching the podium after major work during the past period. He said: “There is no doubt our champions rose to the occasion and succeeded in proving themselves and affirming their pursuit of honouring their country through the Gulf event. There is no doubt this achievement makes us happy and confirms that the future will be bright, thanks to our determination to support the champions in preparing for upcoming commitments, because a good start matters, but completing the journey matters more, especially given the commitments ahead. We have full confidence that our champions, and those supporting them from the administrative and technical staff, are capable of reaching the best, thanks to their resolve and determination.”
Major General Al Hamad also congratulated the women’s sports committee on the achievements made at the recent Gulf championship, especially as Qatar’s superiority was clear in athletics and many other sports, which he said was proof of great work and success that deserves all appreciation, also praising the work put in by the administrative and technical staff who prepared the champions to reach this fine achievement, one befitting Qatari athletics.
Khalifa Abdulmalik praises
For his part, the director of national teams and the Athletics Federation’s executive director, Khalifa Abdulmalik, thanked our champions for their great effort and the achievement made, saying it had not come about by chance but through great work and a determination to excel in many events and races, showing that the effort was aimed at winning a large number of medals at the Gulf games, not just in one race or event but across many events and races – proof being the medals of various colours won in throwing, jumping, and long- and short-distance events. He said this was therefore a positive step bearing good tidings, especially ahead of the Asian commitment due in Doha next May, saying: “There is no doubt what has been achieved makes us happy and confirms that the preparation process was positive and got us to our intended goal, proof being that our champions did not win in just one race over another, but we worked to collect medals across every race and event, which clearly shows the champions’ determination to excel and affirm Qatar’s presence. Today, after this achievement, we seek to advance our ambitions to stay at the forefront, first at Gulf level and then in continental competitions, but without any haste, studying every matter properly.”
Our champions and the joy of achievement
Our national team’s champions expressed their great happiness at the achievement made in the Sultanate of Oman through the Gulf championship. Champion Mariam Fareed said what had been achieved was an honour for them, especially given the strong competition, and dedicated the achievement to the federation and everyone who had supported them. Asrar Al Mannai said her participation was positive because she won a medal and set a new record, which was what she had been aiming for ahead of the Asian commitment. Champion Bashayer Al Qurashi considered reaching the gold medal an achievement she had pursued to affirm her country’s superiority and confirm that Qatari athletics would remain at the forefront in any event. Mubaraka Al Mannai said the championship had been strong, but Qatar’s superiority was clear and deserved, because the work and positive preparation had contributed to reaching the intended goal, and she expressed hope of excelling again in any upcoming commitment.
