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Tribune News Network
DOHA
High jump legend Mutaz Essa Barshim and shooting duo of Aisha Yousef al Suwaidi and Nusra Mohamed Mahmoud carried home the most prestigious awards of the Best Athletes of the Year at a glittering Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sports Excellence Awards night held at the swanky Barahat Msheireb in downtown Doha on Wednesday.
As far as the team effort was concerned, the national football outfit, which put up a dominant performance and capped it with the coveted 2019 Asian Cup triumph earlier this year, topped the table.
QOC President His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani presided over the annual event and handed the trophies, recognising the hard work, dedication and achievements by various individuals and teams of the country.
During his address, HE Sheikh Joaan commended all the achievers and urged others to keep pursuing the goals and glory. “The Asia Cup by our football team really stood out in the list of sporting achievements. Of course, Mutaz’s IAAF World Championship gold medal was another memorable moment.
“This was all possible due to dedicated efforts of athletes, coaches and administrators. Both the teams and individuals produced good results. I also appreciate the local organising teams of the IAAF World Championships and the ANOC World Beach Games for the way they hosted the events and everything went off well.”
Sheikh Joaan added, “I share the joy of all the achievements and am looking forward to the future. And the immediate future is the Olympics and the Paralympics. The sports organisations, trainers and the athletes have to train hard, if we are looking to achieve new milestones. We are also hoping that they will achieve new landmarks. We are grateful to all the people who helped in improving sports in the country.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who are working tirelessly to improve sports in Qatar and I hope your dedication will be crowned with more successes,” he said.
Barshim recalled how he came through a difficult injury phase and went on to become the first man to defend the high jump gold medal in the IAAF World Championship history. “I had a really tough time when I was recovering from my ankle injury. By God’s grace, I was able to get fit and win the gold medal for Qatar at the home world championship.
“I missed many events, including the Asian Games in Jakarta due to to this injury. But I want to thank everybody who encouraged me and had faith in me. It was an indescribable moment for me when I retained the high jump gold medal at the home world championships in front my family, friends and fans.
“I will keep working towards getting more titles and medals for Qatar, who gave me so much,” said Barshim in emotional tone. His mentor Stanislaw ‘Stanley’ Szczyrba claimed the best coach award. The Qatar Athletics Federation also bagged the Golden Federation Award.
Shooter Mahmoud and Suwaidi, who won the gold medals during the Arab championships, were excited to bag Qatar’s biggest sports award for the first time. Mahmoud commented: “We’re very happy to get this award for the first time. We’re proud that we could bring glory to our country. We’re not going to stop here. We’ll keep working hard for more crowns and titles for Qatar.”
Suwaidi said after the event, “I’m proud what we were able to achieve this year. We did well in the Arab championships. Even in the Asian championships in Doha recently, we made a new Qatar record. However our best fell a bit short. Inshallah, we’ll try to put in more efforts and stand on the top of the podium next time.”
The women national handball and basketball teams were adjudged the best in the season. Tamim Mohamed Hassan and Al Maha Meshal were declared the most promising male and female athletes of the season.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Thani was presented two awards – the Recognition Award for Personalities that served sports in Qatar, and the Best Horse Owner of the Season.
Ibrahim Saeed al Malki was adjudged the Best Horse Trainer. Faleh Bughanaim won the Top Horse Rider of the Season title.
Jassim Salem Faran bagged the Best Camel Trainer honour, while the Best Camel Owner (Tribal) went to Nasser Abdulla al Mesnad.
The national goalball team earned the best team with special needs award. The top male and female para athletes of the season were Saud al Sulaiti and Salma Dhahi Hamad, respectively.
Khalid Rashed al Marri and Ahlam Faraz were honoured with the best male and female sports adminstrators of the season.
Referee of the Season Award was shared by Khalid al Hail and Ali al Yazeedi.
The Ministry of Interior was awarded the Best Governmental Body to support the Olympic Movement in the country. Katara Cultural Village, Aspire, Ooredoo and Sports Corner were also awarded for their contribution to lifting sports. Alkass Channel won the Best Media Partner Award.
Qatar Cyclists was honoured for community activities.
DOHA
High jump legend Mutaz Essa Barshim and shooting duo of Aisha Yousef al Suwaidi and Nusra Mohamed Mahmoud carried home the most prestigious awards of the Best Athletes of the Year at a glittering Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sports Excellence Awards night held at the swanky Barahat Msheireb in downtown Doha on Wednesday.
As far as the team effort was concerned, the national football outfit, which put up a dominant performance and capped it with the coveted 2019 Asian Cup triumph earlier this year, topped the table.
QOC President His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani presided over the annual event and handed the trophies, recognising the hard work, dedication and achievements by various individuals and teams of the country.
During his address, HE Sheikh Joaan commended all the achievers and urged others to keep pursuing the goals and glory. “The Asia Cup by our football team really stood out in the list of sporting achievements. Of course, Mutaz’s IAAF World Championship gold medal was another memorable moment.
“This was all possible due to dedicated efforts of athletes, coaches and administrators. Both the teams and individuals produced good results. I also appreciate the local organising teams of the IAAF World Championships and the ANOC World Beach Games for the way they hosted the events and everything went off well.”
Sheikh Joaan added, “I share the joy of all the achievements and am looking forward to the future. And the immediate future is the Olympics and the Paralympics. The sports organisations, trainers and the athletes have to train hard, if we are looking to achieve new milestones. We are also hoping that they will achieve new landmarks. We are grateful to all the people who helped in improving sports in the country.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who are working tirelessly to improve sports in Qatar and I hope your dedication will be crowned with more successes,” he said.
Barshim recalled how he came through a difficult injury phase and went on to become the first man to defend the high jump gold medal in the IAAF World Championship history. “I had a really tough time when I was recovering from my ankle injury. By God’s grace, I was able to get fit and win the gold medal for Qatar at the home world championship.
“I missed many events, including the Asian Games in Jakarta due to to this injury. But I want to thank everybody who encouraged me and had faith in me. It was an indescribable moment for me when I retained the high jump gold medal at the home world championships in front my family, friends and fans.
“I will keep working towards getting more titles and medals for Qatar, who gave me so much,” said Barshim in emotional tone. His mentor Stanislaw ‘Stanley’ Szczyrba claimed the best coach award. The Qatar Athletics Federation also bagged the Golden Federation Award.
Shooter Mahmoud and Suwaidi, who won the gold medals during the Arab championships, were excited to bag Qatar’s biggest sports award for the first time. Mahmoud commented: “We’re very happy to get this award for the first time. We’re proud that we could bring glory to our country. We’re not going to stop here. We’ll keep working hard for more crowns and titles for Qatar.”
Suwaidi said after the event, “I’m proud what we were able to achieve this year. We did well in the Arab championships. Even in the Asian championships in Doha recently, we made a new Qatar record. However our best fell a bit short. Inshallah, we’ll try to put in more efforts and stand on the top of the podium next time.”
The women national handball and basketball teams were adjudged the best in the season. Tamim Mohamed Hassan and Al Maha Meshal were declared the most promising male and female athletes of the season.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Thani was presented two awards – the Recognition Award for Personalities that served sports in Qatar, and the Best Horse Owner of the Season.
Ibrahim Saeed al Malki was adjudged the Best Horse Trainer. Faleh Bughanaim won the Top Horse Rider of the Season title.
Jassim Salem Faran bagged the Best Camel Trainer honour, while the Best Camel Owner (Tribal) went to Nasser Abdulla al Mesnad.
The national goalball team earned the best team with special needs award. The top male and female para athletes of the season were Saud al Sulaiti and Salma Dhahi Hamad, respectively.
Khalid Rashed al Marri and Ahlam Faraz were honoured with the best male and female sports adminstrators of the season.
Referee of the Season Award was shared by Khalid al Hail and Ali al Yazeedi.
The Ministry of Interior was awarded the Best Governmental Body to support the Olympic Movement in the country. Katara Cultural Village, Aspire, Ooredoo and Sports Corner were also awarded for their contribution to lifting sports. Alkass Channel won the Best Media Partner Award.
Qatar Cyclists was honoured for community activities.
