Staff Reporter
Doha: The short track ice racing competitions of the Schools Olympic Programme concluded on a high note yesterday evening, following two days of competitive action at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. The event was organised by the Qatar Winter Sports Committee in cooperation with the Qatar School Sports Federation, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand winter sports participation among students.
The competitions, which marked the final event of the committee’s activities for the year, attracted wide participation from schools across the country. A total of 32 boys representing five schools qualified for the finals, alongside 17 girls from three schools, underscoring growing interest in winter sports disciplines at the grassroots level.
Races were held over two days, with the boys’ events taking place on Wednesday and the girls’ competitions following on Thursday at the same venue. The atmosphere throughout the event was marked by excitement and strong sportsmanship, as participants competed with determination to secure podium finishes. The level of performance demonstrated clear technical and physical development among the young athletes.
The successful staging of the competition also highlighted the readiness of Qatar’s sporting infrastructure and the efficiency of the technical and administrative teams overseeing the event. From scheduling to race management, the organisation reflected a high standard consistent with the country’s broader sporting ambitions.
At the conclusion of the finals, Hassan Hissam Al-Hebabi, Secretary-General of the Qatar Winter Sports Committee, and Ahmed Ali Al Jaber, Board Member, crowned the winners in a celebratory ceremony attended by enthusiastic spectators. The audience applauded both the athletes’ performances and the professional execution of the event.
The finals form part of a wider strategy by the Qatar Winter Sports Committee to promote winter sports within the school system and identify promising talents at an early stage. The initiative aims to create a sustainable pipeline of athletes capable of representing Qatar at regional and international competitions.
Commenting on the event, Al-Hebabi described the finals as a success across all levels. He noted that the competitions for both boys and girls were highly competitive and reflected noticeable improvements in participants’ technical and physical abilities.
“We witnessed a number of promising Qatari talents during these competitions, which is the primary objective of the programme,” he said. “We will continue to support and develop these athletes to prepare them for integration into national winter sports teams.”
Al-Hebabi further explained that the Schools Olympic Programme began with curling before progressing to short track racing, both of which serve as key disciplines for talent identification and development. He emphasised that such initiatives are essential in broadening the base of winter sports in Qatar and nurturing future champions.
The conclusion of the short track finals marks another step forward in Qatar’s commitment to diversifying its sporting landscape, with increased focus on youth engagement and long-term athlete development.
