Caitlin Dillon
Qatar’s best athletes were recognised by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, at the annual Sports Excellence Awards held this evening at Mandarin Oriental, Doha in Msheireb.
As 2019 comes to a close, Qatar’s athletes and sporting bodies have much to be proud of, following arguably the most successful year to date for the Qatari Olympic movement.
The year began with a historic AFC Asian Cup victory for the national team, when the Qatari side took on Japan in the tournament’s final held in the UAE, beating them 3-1. Owing largely to this feat, the national team was awarded the Best Men’s Team of The Year Award at this evening’s ceremony.
Meanwhile, in September, Mutaz Essa Barshim came back from a potentially career-ending injury to claim gold on home turf. Following the nerve-wracking high-jump final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships held at Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium, Barshim was named this year’s Male Athlete of the Year.
Not only has 2019 been an incredible year for male athleticism, but Qatar’s female athletes have also had a year to be proud of. With the 6th GCC Women’s Games taking place in Kuwait last month, Qatar’s female athletes returned home with an astonishing 30 medals. Tonight’s Awards saw Qatar’s female basketball and handball teams each be named the Women’s Team of the Year. Meanwhile, female shooters Aysha Al-Suwaidi and Nasra Mahmoud each bagged the Female Athlete of the Year Award following an incredible few months.
With only one month left of 2019, Qatar’s athletes haven’t finished yet. In just six days, the national team will begin their 24th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign on home turf, before Al Sadd SC takes on the world’s best football teams in the biggest international football tournament the country has ever hosted - the FIFA Club World Cup.
Full list of awards:
Golden Federation Award - Qatar Athletics Federation
Men’s Team of the Season Award - Qatar National Team
Women’s Team of the Season Award - Qatar Handball Team & Qatar Basketball Team
Male Athlete of the Year Award - Mutaz Essa Barshim
Female Athlete of the Year Award - Ayesha Al Suwaidi & Nasrah Mohamed Mahmoud
Promising Male Athlete of the Season Award - Tamim Mohamed Hassan Al Hamaida
Promising Female Athlete of the Season Award - Al Maha Meshal Attiq Al Ali
Coach of The Season Award - Stanislaw Szczyrba
Male Administrator of the Season Award - Khalid Rashed Al Marri
Female Administrator of the Season Award - Ahlam Faraj Al Abdulrahman
The referee of the Season Award - Khalid Alhail Ali Al-Yazeedi
Para-Athlete Team of the Season Award - Qatar Goalball Team
Male Para-Athlete of the Season Award - Saud Harban Al Sulaiti
Female Para-Athlete of the Season Award - Salma Dhahi Hamad
Camel Trainer of The Season Award - Salem Jaber Faran & Nasser Abdulla Al Mesnad
Community Activity of the Season Award - Qatar Cyclists
Distinguished Organisation in Supporting Sport and Organising Community Sports Programs Award - Ministry of Interior, Katara Cultural Village, Aspire Zone Foundation
Media Partner Award - Al Kass Channels
Recognition Award For Personalities That Served Sport In Qatar - H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khaled bin Hamad Al Thani, Dr. Saif Ali Al Hajri
Official Sponsor of Sport for Life Programs Award - Sports Corner
Distinguished Company in Supporting Sport - Ooredoo
Social Media Influencers
Appreciation of Local Organising Committees - IAAF World Athletics Championships - Doha 2019 Local Organising Committee, ANOC World Beach Games - Qatar 2019 Local Organising Committee
Jocket of The Season Award - Faleh Bo Ghanem
Qatari Horse Trainer of the Season Award - Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki
Horse Owner of the Season Award - H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani