Staff Reporter
Doha: The third edition of the “Naqla” School Chess Project final tournament for the 2025–2026 academic year concluded successfully, marking another milestone in the initiative dedicated to primary school students. The event was held in partnership between the Ministry of Sports and Youth, represented by the Qatar Chess Association, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
The tournament featured separate competitions for boys’ and girls’ government schools, with six rounds contested in each category. A total of 102 students from 16 primary schools took part, in the presence of officials from both ministries and the federation.
In the boys’ individual category, Hattin Model School for Boys delivered a dominant performance, sweeping the top three positions. Khalid Al-Ziyara claimed first place, followed by Hamad Al-Ziyara in second, while Aser Hijab secured third.
In the girls’ individual competition, Massa Ramadan of Al-Markhiya Primary School for Girls clinched first place, with her schoolmate Amira Al-Momeni finishing second. Third place went to Aisha Al-Fakhro of Al-Bayan Primary School for Girls.
Hattin Model School for Boys also topped the boys’ team standings, ahead of Malik Bin Anas Model School for Boys in second and Khalifa Model School for Boys in third. In the girls’ team event, Al-Markhiya Primary School for Girls secured first place, followed by Maimouna Primary School for Girls and Al-Bayan Primary School for Girls in second and third respectively.
Winners were crowned by Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education; Maha Zayed Al-Qaqa Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs; and Mohammed Al-Mudahka, President of the Qatar Chess Association.
Al-Mudahka expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s success, noting that it is being held for the third consecutive year as an extension of the Federation’s “Chess in Schools” initiative. He highlighted its role in developing the game at grassroots level, expanding participation across age groups, and increasing the number of players registered and rated by the FIDE.
He added that the competition showcased promising talents capable of strengthening the future of chess in Qatar, while underlining plans to expand participation by involving more schools in upcoming editions.
Al-Mudahka also commended the continued support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in advancing the project and broadening the reach of chess nationwide.
The Qatar Chess Association continues to promote the sport through regular training and educational programmes, focusing on teaching fundamentals, arbitration rules, and tournament organisation, as well as equipping teachers to lead school teams and oversee inter-school competitions.
