Barshim, Samba, Al Dana top QOC awards
Doha, Qatar: Mutaz Essa Barshim won the Male Athlete of the Year award while star shooter Al Dana Saad Al Mubarak won the corresponding honour in the female category at the Qatar Olympic Committee’s (QOC) special ceremony to mark Sport Excellence Day.
Sport Excellence of the Year award went to Abdulrahman Samba at the ceremony held at the Aspire Dome on Sunday.
Barshim opened the 2018 Diamond League season with a world leading jump of 2.40m on his way to victory in Doha in May and was well on course for greater heights when an injury cut short his season. Al Dana has also been showing tremendous improvement. Samba, meanwhile, continues to beat records and defeat Olympic and world champions at every opportunity given.
Speaking at the event, President of Qatar Olympic Committee HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said: "Development of athletes to reach the highest level is a top priority of the Qatar Olympic Committee as it is a part of the QOC strategy which is aligned to support Qatar National Vision 2030. Team Qatar had a successful year across many sports as medals were won, records were broken. The athletes continued to perform and bring home many glorious titles.
"Thank you for your commitment and dedication to building the sporting culture of Qatar. Today we are here to celebrate some of the successes. It is also important to recognize the commitment and skills of the incredibly talented coaches who support our Team Qatar athletes to reach their full potential.
"Doha in the coming years will continue to host internationally recognized world-class sports events such as IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, World Championships 2023 and IJF Masters 2020, 2023 FINA World Championships," Sheikh Joaan added.
Showing his support to the athletes and administrator, HE Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim Al Buenain said: "Qatar is a nation passionate about sport and we strongly believe in the power of sport to unite, inspire, empower and educate people of all ages and abilities. Our athletes represent everything that Qatar stands for; hard work, dedication and loyalty. We are extremely proud of them on and off the podium. They are an inspiration to the young generation and a source of pride for all of us."
"We believe that hard work deserves recognition, and our athletes work tirelessly to represent Qatar at the highest level and raise the maroon flag around the world. Sport Excellence Day is our way of thanking them, celebrating their success and encouraging them to keep up the hard work."
Administration awards were presented to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for its continuous support to the Olympic movement in Qatar and Aspire Zone for supporting sport and organizing social sport programmes, which play a critical role in developing athletes from a young age.
Samba, who won the Sport Excellence Award said: "I'm extremely happy to win this award. This gives me extra motivation to give even more in the coming years. I'd like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee family under the leadership of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani for this great occasion. I hope I will continue to be here in the coming years and win more awards"
Sport Excellence Award Winners 2018
Male Athlete of the Year Award: Mutaz Essa Barshim
High Jump Female Athlete of the Year Award: Al Dana Saad Al Mubarak
Male Para-Athlete of the Year Award: Abdulrahman Abdulqader Abdulrahman
Female Para-Athlete of the Year Award: Sara Hamdi Masoud
Sport Excellence Award: Abdulrahman Samba
Promising Male Athlete of the Year Award: Abdelaziz Mohammed and Owab Barow
Promising Female Athlete of the Year Award: Rania Raed Al Naji
Jockey of the Year Award: Faleh Bo Ghneim
Golden Federation Award: Qatar Athletics Federation
Men's Team of the Year Award: Qatar Indoor Handball Team
Women's Team of the Year Award: Table Tennis Team
Sport Achievement Award:
Team Qatar Channel Swim
Qatar Parachuting Team
Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah
Qatar Bowling Team
Administration
Distinguished Governmental Institution in Supporting Olympic Movement in Qatar: Ministry of Education and Higher Education
Distinguished Organization in Supporting Sport and Organizing Social Sport Programmes Award: Aspire Zone Foundation
Coach of the Year Award: Ibrahim Al Said Hassouna, Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing Federation
Male Administrator of the Year Award: Mohammed D Al Dosari, Qatar Paralympic Association
Female Administrator of the Year Award: Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation
Referee of the Year Award: Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Jaida, Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation
Camel Trainer of the Year Award: Jaber Salem Jaber Faran
Camel Owner of the Year Award: Nasser Abdulla Al Mesnad
Horse Owner of the Year Award: Khalifa S Al Kuwari
Qatari Horse Trainer of the Year Award: Hadi Nasser Al Ramzany
