Ayodeji Victor B
Doha: In a significant step toward strengthening governance and ethical standards in sport, the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) organized a specialized workshop on sports integrity on Tuesday evening, June 9, 2026. Held under the slogan “Together… We Play Fair, Compete with Respect, and Win with Integrity,” the event took place at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1 in cooperation with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS).
The workshop brought together senior federation officials, board members, technical and administrative staff, as well as players and coaches from the U-16 national teams. Key attendees included:
- Mohammed bin Saad Al-Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation
- Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary General and Director of National Teams
- Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of the ICSS
The initiative forms part of the QBF’s broader strategy to foster a sports culture rooted in fairness, equality, and transparency, while raising awareness about the dangers of match-fixing and other threats to sporting integrity.
Workshop highlights
The programme focused on critical topics such as the risks of match manipulation, preventive measures, ethical standards, and the importance of fair play. An engaging panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Khalid Al-Qahtani, featured Massimiliano Montanari (ICSS CEO), Rana Bazazo (Head Coach of Qatar Women’s National Basketball Team), and Mostafa Fouda (Qatar Men’s National Team player). The session sparked lively interaction, with attendees actively discussing practical ways athletes can help safeguard the integrity of competitions.
Montanari praised the collaboration with the QBF, stating that such awareness programs are essential for protecting the future of sport and building public trust in competitions. He commended Qatar’s proactive approach to embedding integrity and transparency across its sporting ecosystem.
At the conclusion of the workshop, Mohammed bin Saad Al-Mughaiseeb honored Massimiliano Montanari, Salahuddin Zaki Khalid (UNESCO Representative to the Gulf States and Yemen), and Daniel Brown (Deputy Director of Operations at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum 3-2-1) for their contributions to the event’s success.
Strategic commitment
Al-Mughaiseeb emphasized that combating match-fixing and promoting sports integrity remain top priorities for the Federation. He highlighted recent steps taken to strengthen governance, including updating regulations, aligning organizational frameworks with international standards, and establishing specialized committees for greater transparency and accountability.
Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary General, described the workshop as part of an ongoing series of educational programs aimed at developing responsible athletes across all age groups. He stressed the importance of continuous investment in awareness and education to build strong, ethical generations of sportspeople.
This workshop reinforces the Qatar Basketball Federation’s dedication to creating a safe, fair, and professional sports environment in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the highest international standards of sports governance.
