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LOC of World Aquatic and Master Championships Doha 2023 holds its First Meeting

DOHA – The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the World Aquatics Championships (Doha 2023) held its first meeting on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).

The meeting, which was chaired by President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and Director of the Competition, Khaleel Al Jabir, in the presence of the heads of the committees, discussed the ongoing preparations and the upcoming plan to organize this major global event, which includes 6 sports.

Doha had won the hosting of the World Aquatics Championships, scheduled for 2023, which is considered the most important and largest event in the FINA calendar after the Qatari file won the highest number of votes during the voting process, which took place at the FINA Board of Directors meeting in Budapest, Hungary in 2016.

Doha, which outperformed the Chinese city of Nanjing, will have the honor of hosting the World Aquatics Championships for the first time in the Middle East, Doha is also scheduled to host the Fina Masters World Swimming Championships in 2023.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

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Sheikh Joaan receives Hayya Fan ID to attend FIFA Arab Cup Matches

Doha: H.E President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani received his Hayya Fan ID for FIFA Arab Cup Matches 2021, during his visit to Hayya Fan ID Office at the QOC building on Tuesday.

On his visit , H.E the QOC president received a brief from the Office employees about the work process and Hayya Fan ID benefits, privileges and services for its holder.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 on Monday inaugurated the headquarters of the main Ticket Sales Centre and Hayya Card (Fan ID) at the Doha Exhi-bition Centre (DEC) in Al Qassar.

The Hayya Card (Fan ID) is a smart-technology identification card designed to provide fans with the best experience in Qatar and will serve as a means of identification and provide access to tournament stadiums in combination with a valid match ticket.

Fans travelling from abroad can use their Hayya Card (Fan ID) to enter Qatar multiple times – provided they carry a valid passport recognised by the State of Qatar.

It will also provide ticket holders with access to a number of services and benefits relating to transport, tourism and others.Fans should apply for their Fan ID once they have paid for their match tickets and have received their ticket application number by email.

Fan ID applications can be submitted online via the host country entry portal website (FAC21.qa)

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

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Team Qatar lose to Italy in Qatar ooredoo World Padel

Doha: Eleventh-ranked France men team scripted the first major upset of the Qatar ooredoo World Padel championship on Tuesday with their 2-1 defeat of Paraguay, the World No. 5, to boost their chances of advancing into the quarter-finals from Group D as action continued in the round-robin group stage on Day 2 of the event.

In the other fixtures, World No. 1 Argentina defeated Uruguay 3-0 while World No.2 Spain, led by Juanjo Gutierrez, maintained their unbeaten record by beating their Chilean counterpart 3-0.

Meanwhile, Mexico bounced back from their opening day loss to beat Denmark 2-1 victory while Brazil won 3-0 against Belgium. Host Qatar, on the other hand, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Italy.

In the women’s, second-ranked Argentina trounced Mexico 3-0 while Italy also enjoyed a 3-0 victory against the Netherlands. Eighth-ranked Uruguay confirmed their superiority over Great Britain, ranked 13, with a 2-1 defeat.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

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U.S. look to keep momentum rolling for Jamaica World Cup qualifier

Kingston, The United States are flying high after an emotional win over Mexico put them top of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying table and they have promised to bring the same level of competitiveness into their next match against Jamaica.

The U.S. forward line received a timely boost with the return of attacking midfielder Christian Pulisic for last week’s 2-0 victory over Mexico but the Americans do not want that result to affect their mindset for Tuesday’s match in Kingston, Reuters reports.

“For us it’s about not letting the last game affect what we are doing this game,” U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman said on a video call on Monday.

“It’s another chance for three points, a big opportunity for us to continue to climb up in the standings and put ourselves closer to the ultimate goal which is qualification.”

The U.S. have 14 points from seven games at the midway stage of the qualifying campaign, level on points with Mexico but ahead on goal difference.

Canada and Panama, with 13 and 11 points respectively, are also still in the mix for a top-three spot and an automatic spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Jamaica are sixth on six points.

Despite concerns about too much youth and inexperience in the U.S. squad, head coach Gregg Berhalter said his squad have proved to be quick learners and he has noticed a change in their attitude as they work through qualification.

“What I’ve seen is just the understanding increasing of what this is all about, what these games entail and the level of competition,” said Berhalter. “And I think we’ve dealt with it in a decent way.”

The U.S. are looking to get back to the World Cup finals after failing to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Berhalter added that while there is a positive feeling within his team, he needed to remind his players that they must bring the same level of intensity to the Jamaica match as they did against rivals Mexico.

“Our big picture is qualifying for this World Cup and all Mexico does is put us closer, but the Jamaica game can put us even closer to qualifying so for us it’s a massive game,” he said.

“You know, when I had the team meeting yesterday, I said, ‘As soon as we walk out of this meeting Mexico is done. It’s in the rear-view mirror.’ Now the focus in on Jamaica.”

Jamaica will be the first opponents the U.S. have played twice in this qualifying campaign, having beaten the Reggae Boyz 2-0 in Austin last month.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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England seal World Cup spot as Kane hits four in 10-0 rout of San Marino

Serravalle, San Marino, Harry Kane scored four goals in England’s 10-0 demolition of San Marino on Monday as Gareth Southgate’s side made official their place in next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.

In truth England needed only a point against the world’s 210th and lowest-ranked footballing nation to guarantee top spot above Poland in Group I so the only real question was how many goals they would deliver to mark the occasion, Reuters reports.

Kane duly filled his boots, following up his hat-trick in the 5-0 win against Albania on Friday with four goals before halftime, including two penalties, swelling his England tally to 48 to move joint-third on the all-time list with Gary Lineker.

Harry Maguire began the rout with a sixth-minute header and Filippo Fabbri scored an own goal before Kane took over to put England 6-0 ahead before halftime.

Emile Smith Rowe marked his first England start with the seventh and even after Kane was substituted the punishment continued for San Marino who had Dante Rossi sent off for a second yellow card in the 68th minute.

Tyrone Mings, substitute Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka all got on the scoresheet in a farcically one-sided match that did little for the reputation of international football.

Former England striker Michael Owen said he was “rapidly falling out of love with watching international football” after witnessing what he said was a “pointless game.”

While the debate about the worth of such lop-sided fixtures rumbles on, Kane did not care on a night that had statisticians working overtime.

He took his calendar-year haul for England to a new record of 16, became the first England player to score back-to-back hat-tricks since Tommy Taylor in 1957 and the first to score four in a match since Ian Wright against San Marino in 1993.

It was also the first time England had scored 10 in a match since a 10-0 rout of the United States in 1964.

HIGHEST TALLY

In topping the group by six points from Poland, who rested Robert Lewandowski and lost 2-1 at home to Hungary, England scored 39 goals, their highest tally in a qualifying campaign.

All that must be countered by the fact that as well as playing San Marino, who have won once in 186 internationals, England also faced Andorra who are not much better.

Things will toughen up from now on but they will arrive in Qatar as one of the favourites.

“It came to the last game and we were expected to win tonight but we’ve done a good job. Fantastic to go through,” the 28-year-old Kane, who is now only five goals behind England’s record scorer Wayne Rooney, said.

Southgate made seven changes to the side that beat Albania with Maguire one of those remaining and his thumping header from Phil Foden’s corner got things going.

Saka’s shot was then turned into his own goal by Fabbri before referee Rade Obrenovic gave England a helping hand they hardly required with a harsh penalty against Rossi who touched Foden’s volley with his fingertips.

Kane fired past the helpless Elia Benedettini and then swept in his second after 31 minutes from Smith Rowe’s cross.

Another penalty for handball saw Kane complete his fifth England hat-trick and a few minutes later he showed some nifty footwork to fire in his best effort of the night.

The second half was purely academic, although there was a debut for Conor Gallagher and disappointment for Jude Bellingham who thought he had scored his first England goal only for it to be ruled out.

“We cannot do anything about the level of opposition but the mentality and the way they (England’s players) applied themselves was terrific,” Southgate said.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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Saudis beat Vietnam 1-0 and close in on World Cup berth

Seoul, Saudi Arabia defeated Vietnam 1-0 in Hanoi on Tuesday to earn a fifth win from six games in World Cup qualification and an extended lead in Asia Group B from Australia and Japan, reports AP.

Seeking a sixth World Cup appearance, Saudi Arabia was six points ahead of Australia and seven ahead of Japan, who were both in action late Tuesday against China and Oman respectively.

Vietnam stayed pointless. Only the top two in each group are guaranteed a place in Qatar in November 2022. The two third-placed finishers play off, with the winner meeting a team from another confederation.

Saudi Arabia started strongly and after 30 minutes Saleh Al-Shehri’s looping header from inside the area was saved by Bi Tan Truong in the Vietnam goal, but the ball was adjudged to have already crossed the line.

Fahad Al-Muwallad seemed to extend the visitors’ lead from close range with 15 minutes remaining but it was ruled out by VAR due to a foul in the build-up.

In Group A, a late Ali Mabkhout penalty earned United Arab Emirates a 1-0 win over Lebanon in Sidon, its first in the stage. It was enough to move the team that qualified for its first and only World Cup in 1990, above Lebanon and into third place.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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US Journalist Jailed for Months in Myanmar Lands in New York

NEW YORK — American journalist Danny Fenster, who was freed after nearly six months in jail in military-ruled Myanmar, arrived Tuesday in the United States for an emotional reunion with his family.

Fenster, who was sentenced last week to 11 years of hard labor, was handed over Monday to former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson, who helped negotiate the release. He is one of more than 100 journalists, media officials or publishers who have been detained since the military ousted the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February.

It’s been a “long time coming, a moment I had been imagining so intensely for so long,” a bearded and shaggy-haired Fenster said after landing in New York. “Surpasses everything I had imagined.”

As he exited a car outside an airport hotel, Fenster’s mother rushed over to hug him, as did his brother and father.

Late Monday, as Fenster transited through Qatar, he told reporters that he was physically OK and had not been starved or beaten while in custody. While jailed, he had told his lawyer that he believed he had COVID-19, though prison authorities denied that.

Fenster, the managing editor of online magazine Frontier Myanmar, was convicted Friday of spreading false or inflammatory information, contacting illegal organizations and violating visa regulations. Days before his conviction, he learned he had been charged with additional violations that put him at risk of a life sentence.

It “feels great to get Danny back home. It’s worth the effort, worth everything we did,” said Richardson, a former governor of New Mexico and past ambassador to the United Nations who helped negotiate the release through his foundation.

Fenster’s mother, Rose, described the ordeal as a “nightmare” and the family expressed relief that it was over.

It “feels great, he’s safe, that’s all we want,” his father, Buddy, said.

Fenster — in a knit hat that he said was a gift from another prisoner — joked that the first thing he would do is get a shave and a haircut.

Fenster has been in detention since he was arrested at Yangon International Airport on May 24.

The exact allegations against him were never clear, but much of the prosecution’s case appeared to hinge on proving that he was employed by another online news site that was ordered closed this year during the crackdown on the media that followed the military takeover. Fenster used to work for the site but left that job last year.

A native of the Detroit area, Fenster has a master’s degree in creative writing from Wayne State University and worked for a newspaper in Louisiana before moving to Southeast Asia, according to Deadline Detroit, a news website to which he occasionally contributed.

His brother, Bryan, has said he was particularly interested in the plight of people from the Muslim Rohingya minority, hundreds of thousands of whom fled Myanmar during a brutal counterinsurgency campaign by the army in 2017.

The generals in Myanmar “were convinced that it wasn’t worth it to hang on to Danny,” U.S. Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan, who represents the Fenster family in Congress, told Detroit radio station WWJ. “If they kept him and anything really happened to him, we would never forget it. We would never forgive them.”

Richardson is known for traveling to nations with which Washington has poor, if any, relations — such as North Korea — to obtain the freedom of detained Americans.

He also has a long history of involvement with Myanmar, starting in 1994, when as a member of Congress he met Suu Kyi at her home, where she had been under house arrest ordered by a previous military government.

Source: Voice of America

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UAE, Brazil issue Joint Statement on the official visit of President of Brazil to the UAE

The UAE and the Federative Republic of Brazil today issued the following joint statement on the official visit of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, to the United Arab Emirates, from 13th to 16th November, 2021.

At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, made his second visit to the United Arab Emirates from 13th to 16th November, 2021. Cabinet members, as well as congressional and business representatives, joined the presidential delegation.

In Dubai, President Bolsonaro was welcomed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. In light of the strategic partnership between the two nations, both leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation within the framework of future opportunities, emphasizing common interests to support the bonds of friendship between the two countries. Moreover, President Jair Bolsonaro awarded H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross, the highest rank of the order that is given to heads of states.

During the meeting, numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, including a Memorandum of Understanding for partnership between the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Alexandre de Gusmão Foundation (FUNAG); and a MoU between the UAE Ministry of Education and Brazilian Ministry of Education on cooperation in the education field.

The President of Brazil highlighted that the visit takes place on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the United Arab Emirates in celebration of the country’s unification of seven emirates into a modern state that plays an important role in the international community. Moreover, President Bolsonaro highlighted the remarkable developments achieved by the UAE over the past five decades. For his part, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated Brazil on the 200th anniversary of its independence, which will be celebrated in 2022.

On 14th November, 2021, President Bolsonaro participated in the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the Dubai Airshow, the largest aerospace trade event in the world. Emirati officials welcomed the significant participation of Brazil through the Brazilian national pavilion and EMBRAER pavilion representing the Brazilian defense industry.

On 15th November, 2021, President Bolsonaro participated in the celebration of Brazil’s National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. The President congratulated Emirati leaders for holding Expo 2020 Dubai, the first major global event open to the public and held in-person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Bolsonaro was then welcomed by H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest. Moreover, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was awarded the Grand Collar of the Brazilian National Medal of the Southern Cross, the highest rank of the order that is given to heads of states.

Both leaders reviewed pressing bilateral issues and agreed to continue to deepen the bilateral Strategic Partnership. The two sides expressed interest in holding the first meeting under the signed agreement of Strategic Partnership between Brazil and the UAE in 2022 to discuss topics to include peace and security, sustainable development, economic cooperation, renewable energy, and the tourism, culture, and sports sectors.

The leaders reaffirmed the importance of promoting bilateral economic cooperation and expressed their intention to deepen it. In 2021, total UAE assets in Brazil surpassed USD 10 billion, while 30 Brazilian companies operated in the UAE.

On 15th November, 2021, President Bolsonaro participated in the opening ceremony of the Brazilian-Emirati Investment Forum in a demonstration of the desire of business leaders in both countries to strengthen the bilateral economic relationship.

The Brazilian President recognized the important role the UAE plays in the global logistics sector and in Brazil in particular. Emirati leaders welcomed Brazilian operators’ adherence to Dubai’s World Logistics Passport initiative and expressed their desire for UAE companies and funds to further expand their notable engagement in the Brazilian logistics and infrastructure sectors.

Confident in the expertise and capacity of Brazilian agribusiness to assist in achieving the UAE’s food security strategy, both countries expressed their intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, as outlined in the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on the Strategic Partnership.

The two sides reaffirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation in combating crime and regulating the extradition and social rehabilitation of imprisoned persons. In this regard, both countries signed an Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons on 13th November, 2021.

The leaders reaffirmed the importance of defense cooperation and expressed their intention to hold a meeting of the Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation between the two countries. And both countries expressed the desire to establish cooperation in the area of defense products, emphasizing joint initiatives in the area of research and development.

To further enhance the strength of bilateral relations, the leaders welcomed initiatives in the sectors of culture, education, tourism, and sports by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Education to serve as the basis for educational cooperation in the form of exchange and scholarship programs.

Highlighting the importance of promoting tolerance and coexistence to advance regional stability and economic prosperity, President Bolsonaro welcomed the 2020 signing of the Abraham Accords between the UAE and the State of Israel. The UAE side reiterated that the Abraham Accords represent a historic opportunity that facilitates cooperation, peacemaking, and interfaith dialogue.

Reaffirming the important role played by Brazil and the UAE in their regions, both countries’ leaders exchanged views on pressing issues and reiterated their willingness to carry out recurring consultations, as both nations have been elected non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the 2022-2023 term. The two sides underscored their commitment to promoting peace and stability in their respective regions and worldwide as an extension of their belief in the importance of multilateralism and the vital role the United Nations plays in maintaining international peace and security.

President Bolsonaro expressed his gratitude to the UAE leadership for their warm welcome and hospitality in receiving him and the Brazilian delegation. He wished the UAE a successful Expo 2020 Dubai that continues to position the UAE as a global hub for tolerance, coexistence, and international engagement.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

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UAE President receives letter from The President of Gambia

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has received a letter from President Adama Barrow of the Republic of The Gambia, regarding bilateral relations.

The letter was delivered to H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, by Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of The Gambia, during a meeting at the Expo 2020 Dubai headquarters.

Both parties reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further develop joint cooperation across various sectors.

The meeting also dealt with issues of common interest and developments in the regional and international arenas.

The UAE Foreign Minister and his Gambian Counterpart discussed the UAE’s organisation of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Expo’s role in promoting collective international action and stimulating global economic growth.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of Tangara, highlighting the UAE’s interest in strengthening and developing relations between the two friendly countries in various fields.

The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

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H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry inaugurates first edition of Qatar International Exhibition for Travel & Tourism

Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al–Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the first edition of Qatar International Exhibition for Travel & Tourism, taking place at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC), on November 16-18, 2021.

After the inauguration ceremony, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry toured the exhibition to see the various pavilions, services, and investment opportunities offered by the participating companies and entities.

The Qatar International Exhibition for Travel & Tourism features the participation of about 150 local and international exhibitors specializing in travel and tourism from 34 countries from around the world. The exhibition includes a program of business meetings and a series of remote seminars on the latest trends and developments provided by the various tourism sectors.

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry