Qatar Association of Athletics Federation

SINGAPORE, 23 August 2010- Qatar’s Hamza Driouch won the silver medal of 1000m event in the First Youth Olympic Games in Singapore on Sunday.
 
Driouch clocked a time of  2 minutes 21. 25 seconds to settle in the second place behind winner, Mohammed Geleto of Ethiopia  who took the gold medal in an impressive 2.19.54 minutes.
 
Moreover, Charlie Grice of Great Britain clinched the bronze medal with 2:21:85 minutes. 

In a splendid reception the Qatari delegation was welcomed in Qatar back from the world junior championship held in Canada, where Qatar's Moataz  Barsham claimed the gold medal of the high jump event with a distinctive result of 2.31m. At the same time, the second medal was gained by our champion Mohamed Karni who won the bronze medal in the 1500m event. Among the officials who received the champions at the airport are: Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Al-Zini (QAAF president), the Olympic champion Mohammed Suleiman (QAAF Board Member), Mr. Yaqoub Abdullah (Board Member), Mr. Khalifa Abdul Malik (QAAF Executive Director), Mr. Rashed Al Ansari (Head of the Public Relations Committee in the QAAF), as well as Captain Mohammad Tahir (Speed Center Supervisor), in addition to the parents and families of the champions and friends.  Following the arrival of the Qatari champions to the reception hall, Mr. Al Zaini and the board members presented the flowers in appreciation and gratitude from the family of athletics.

Worldwide Press Coverage Hails the Qatari Achievement

The Qatari golden achievement by Moataz received a wide press and media coverage where he showed talent and capabilities despite the young age and experience. QAAF President Mr. Abdullah Al-Zini presented this achievement to His Highness the Emir and the Heir Apparent of Qatar – President of the Qatar Olympic Committee - stressing that this achievement is proof of the proper approach path trodden by QAAF based on the principle of enhancing the national teams and will strengthen this approach through the amendments made by the QAAF on the athletes and local championships regulations and giving attention and focus on the national athletes to motivate and encourage them to participate and reach the best achievements. He also thanked the QOC secretary general Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman AL-Thani. The QAAF president stressed that such result marks a possible medal in the coming Olympic Games-London 2012.

Qatar's Moataz Dedicates the Achievement to the Leadership and the people of Qatar

The Qatari world champion dedicated the medal to Qatar wise leadership, praising what he received throughout his career from the support and interest and to encourage everyone to continue his career with vigor and high confidence to represent Qatar, the best representation, as presented done to all the people of the country. Expressing his pleasure and delight superiority to make the maximum effort and contribution to honor Qatar and raise the flag high in the international events. He also presented his thanks and gratitude to the athletics family led by the elder brother Abdullah Al-Zaini for his support, and in particular special thanks to Mr. Khalifa Abdullah Malik the director of national teams and the Executive Director of the Federation for his good and sincere support to all the Qatari in dedication and devotion to honor the State of  Qatar.

Mr. Khalifa Abdulmalik (QAAF Executive Director): Qatari Athletics Going in the Right Path

On the other hand, Mr. Khalifa Abdulmalik (QAAF Executive Director) said that our athletes are among the best ones in the world which is an indication that the Qatari athletics is moving in the right path and we expect them to claim more achievements in the coming events. Mr. Khalifa Abdullah, director of national teams has emphasized that the results achieved in the IAAF World Juniors will help us achieve an advanced position in these competitions at the Olympic Games.

Ex-Olympian Mohamad Suleiman: Qatari Champions Honored Us

Mr. Mohammed Suleiman, QAAF board member and head of the long and middle-distances events congratulated the family of athletics and the Qatari people for the accomplishment in the World Junior Championship, led by our talented Moataz Issa who won the gold medal in the high jump event and his colleague Mohamed Karni for his bronze medal in the 1500, saying that medals colored the sport scene in Qatar, stressing that they honored us and raised the flag high in the global events, and wished success for the Qatari teams during the coming challenges, the most important ones are the Asian Games in China and the world championships in Croatia and other global events.

Coach Stanislaw: Moataz Talent and Abilities Are So High

the Swedish coach Stanislaw expressed his happiness with the talented Moataz, stressing that he had found the severity of abnormal Moataz, and could with him and within a short period of 9 months to reach an advanced stage technically and tactically, considering Moataz is still in the middle of the road to get to the top of the sparkle in his career, especially that he is still young 19-year-old and is currently among the world top five in the high jump, which is an amazing degree in the high jump. Stanislaw congratulated the people of Qatar for this golden achievement, stressing that this is just the beginning and the next would be better.

Moataz's Father Thanks the Qatari Leaders for Their Support

Moataz's father expressed his happiness and joy as his son receives surrounded by family members and bunches of roses .. He expressed his appreciation and gratitude for having extended his son's Moataz care and attention and support of all those responsible for sport in Qatar to occupy the throne of the world, stressing that what is achieved by Moataz is a faithful translation to the support and attention of our leadership, wishing all success in future challenges ahead.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Qatari delegation to this sporting event includes Mr. Abdullah Al-Zaini QAAF president, Mr. Khalifa Abdulmalik (team manager), Mohamed Suleiman (Adminstartor), Mr. Jama Aden (mid-distances events coach), Mr. Stanso Stezerba (high jump event coach), Mr. Oaf Hox (110 hr event coach), Mr. Ramel (decathlon coach), and Mr. Sregi (massager). The Qatari competitors participating in this world athletics event are: Moataz Barsham (high jump), Mohamed Al-Qarni (1500m and 800m), Khalid Saeed  (jump events), Hamza Dariyosh and Saif Sabah (800m), and Mohamed Al-Manaie (decathlon).

Qatar's promising Moataz Issa victory received wide media coverage by IAAF and other athletics press and media, for the superb gold medal achievement he claimed during the IAAF World Junior Championship held in Canada. The young Qatari cleared 2.30m on his first attempt and with some margin to spare.

"I think when I missed at 2.26m it was the best for me, because then I started to think about what I was doing and not just running. I got into the mood and made 2.30m on my first jump,'''' he said.

"I’m not very proud of my second and third attempts at 2.32m. The first one though was very close. "I was not tired out there. I’m just happy to have won the World Juniors," he added.

Barshim,

who is also the national senior record holder at 2.31, had a clean sheet until 2.24 never withstanding the leading position in a competition in which all but two athletes were still in contention at 2.17.

The next height proved to be the turning point of the competition as Barshim and the USA’s David Smith being the only two jumpers to clear the first time of asking.

Smith and Barshim were sharing the lead and waited patiently while every other athlete in contention missed their first two attempts.

As it turned out only three men sailed over 2.21 the third time round with Naoto Tobe of Japan holding on for bronze courtesy of a clean sheet up until that point. Nikita Anishchenko of Russia paid for a first time failure at 2.17 which ultimately cost him a precious medal while Qichao Jin of China was to be fifth at 2.21 as well. Serious business started at 2.24; Barshim cleared the first time around and took sole hold of the gold medal position for the first time in the competition.

QAAF President Mr. Abdullah Al-Zini presented this achievement to His Highness the Emir and the Heir Apparent of Qatar – President of the Qatar Olympic Committee - stressing that this achievement is proof of the proper approach path trodden by QAAF based on the principle of enhancing the national teams and will strengthen this approach through the amendments made by the QAAF on the athletes and local championships regulations and giving attention and focus on the national athletes to motivate and encourage them to participate and reach the best achievements. He also thanked the QOC secretary general Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman AL-Thani. The QAAF president stressed that such result marks a possible medal in the coming Olympic Games-London 2012.

Mr. Adel Al-Baker QAAF Secretary General said that our athletes are among the best ones in the world which is an indication that the Qatari athletics is moving in the right path and we expect them to claim more achievements in the coming events. Mr. Khalifa Abdullah, director of national teams has emphasized that the results achieved in the IAAF World Juniors will help us achieve an advanced position in these competitions at the Olympic Games.

Similarly, Mr. Iesa Al-Harami (QAAF Assistant Secretary General) and Mr. Mohamed Suleiman (ex Olympian and QAAF board member) hailed this victory and assured that it will lead to more future bright results.

Mutaz Essa Barshim sails over the bar in the High Jump final

Mutaz Essa Barshim was a superb winner of the men’s High Jump final tonight in Moncton, the young Qatari clearing 2.30 on his first attempt and with some margin to spare.

"I think when I missed at 2.26m it was the best for me, because then I started to think about what I was doing and not just running. I got into the mood and made 2.30m on my first jump.

"I’m not very proud of my second and third attempts at 2.32m. The first one though was very close.

"I was not tired out there. I’m just happy to have won the World Juniors."

Barshim, who is also the national senior record holder at 2.31, had a clean sheet until 2.24 never withstanding the leading position in a competition in which all but two athletes were still in contention at 2.17. The next height proved to be the turning point of the competition as Barshim and the USA’s David Smith being the only two jumpers to clear the first time of asking.

Smith and Barshim were sharing the lead and waited patiently while every other athlete in contention missed their first two attempts. As it turned out only three men sailed over 2.21 the third time round with Naoto Tobe of Japan holding on for bronze courtesy of a clean sheet up until that point.

Nikita Anishchenko of Russia paid for a first time failure at 2.17 which ultimately cost him a precious medal while Qichao Jin of China was to be fifth at 2.21 as well.

Serious business started at 2.24; Barshim cleared the first time around and took sole hold of the gold medal position for the first time in the competition. It took Smith two tries to improve his personal best by 1 centimetre and remain in contention.

The bar was raised at 2.26, a height only Barshim had mastered before. It proved just that little bit too much for Smith who had to settle for silver. On the other hand, Barshim soared well clear with his second attempt.

Only he was left in the competition and with the gold medal secured he asked for the bar to be moved at 2.30; a superb first time clearance and for the first time the Qatari let his joy explode on the mattress.

Barshim wanted more tonight but it wouldn’t be a day for 2.32 although his very first try was tantalising close.