Tribune News Network
Doha
The curtain fell on the first-ever edition of the Beach Sports Festival held in Qatar, amid an atmosphere full of excitement and enthusiasm on Saturday.
The event witnessed the participation of over 200 athletes from various age groups and drew a significant crowd, reflecting the growing passion for beach sports in Qatar and the region.
Over 7 days, players competed in three main tournaments held on specially prepared adjacent beach courts.
The competitions included Beach Volleyball, Beach football, and Beach Tennis. This unique experience attracted wide interaction from the audience, who enjoyed thrilling matches and outstanding athletic performances The festival stood out by combining competitive sports with family-friendly entertainment, featuring various zones designed for families and spectators.
High-quality recreational activities and facilities were provided, making the festival a preferred destination for families throughout the event period.
The Beach Sports Festival concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony attended by officials and a large audience.
Champions in the three tournaments were crowned amid vibrant musical performances that added a spirit of joy and pride in the sporting achievements.
In the beach tennis, team Padel In claimed first place, while team Al Wakra Padel secured second place.
In the beach volleyball, team Aitihad Al Sharta took first place, with team Al Nasr finishing second.
In beach football, team Shabab Al Doha won the championship title, while team Ittihad Al Doha came in second place.
Additionally, a number of individual awards and special categories were presented during the ceremony, including: Tsunami Best Scorer: Hanad Abdalnour/Ittihad Al Doha; Best Goalkeeper: Ahmed Al Sayad/Shabab Al Doha; Best Player: Mubark Yousif Al Mhiaza/ Shabab Al Doha.
The organizing committee also honored the festival’s sponsors and supporting entities in recognition of their significant contributions and active role in the success of the first edition.
On the occasion, Ahmed Mohammed Al Hassan, Events & Venues Director, stated: "We are extremely pleased with the remarkable success achieved by the first edition of the Beach Sports Festival, which reflects Aspire Zone Foundation’s goal of promoting sports as a way of life.
"The festival was not just a sports competition, but a complete social and entertainment experience. We are proud that this event is the first of its kind, bringing together three beach sports simultaneously across three adjacent sand courts. We promise the public that the upcoming editions will be even more distinctive and expansive.”
Al Hassan added: "Throughout the past days, we witnessed a high level of athletic performance and great competitive spirit among all participants, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading sports destination in the region. We thank everyone who contributed to the success of this event – players, organizers, sponsors, and the audience.”
For his part, Abdullah Al Dosari, representative of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation, expressed his happiness with the success of the festival, highlighting the enthusiastic participation of Qatari youth and residents. He stated that the event witnessed a large turnout and wide participation across all age groups, reflecting the Federation’s vision of promoting a healthy lifestyle and spreading a culture of sports among all segments of society.
Al Dosari affirmed the Federation’s support for community sports initiatives and invited everyone to participate in upcoming events and benefit from the available programs to enhance healthy living habits.
He also considered the success of the festival as a testament to Aspire’s status as a world-class sports center and a reinforcement of its role in organizing community sports events. Furthermore, he emphasized that this success paves the way for a broader and more distinctive partnership in the future.