Thani Al Kuwari: Doha Diamond League Rehearsal for 2019 World Championships in Athletics

Doha, May 02 (QNA) - Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Second Vice President and Qatar Athletics Federation President, Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, said that the 2018 Doha Diamond League is one of the most important meets of the league given that it is the first of the season and the oldest in the Middle East, with the highest champion participation. Speaking exclusively to Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said that the 9th edition which will be held on Friday at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, will be more special than the past editions as 20 global champions, Olympians and 150 athletes will be participating, led by Qatar's high jump world champion Mutaz Barshim, the best athlete of 2017 and Olympic medalist and winner of 2017 Diamond league. HE Dr. Al Kuwari added that the Doha meet this year will work as a mini rehearsal for the 2019 World Championships in Athletics, which will be hosted by Qatar for the first time in the Middle East. He explained that the 10th edition of Doha Diamond League will act as the final rehearsal for the championship and will be organized at Khalifa International Stadium, which will also host the 2019 World Championships in Athletics, whereas the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium will be used for trainings only. HE Al Kuwari said that in 2019 Doha will host three tournaments before the World Championships in Athletics in August. The year will begin with the Gulf tournament in March followed by the Asian tournament in April, then the 10th edition of Doha Diamond league in May. HE Al Kuwari said the federation with cumulative experience in hosting athletics championships will offer a world-class and fascination world championship and will be a legacy for the fans of the sport around the world. In addition to Barshim, he said this Doha Diamond League will see the largest Qatari participation with 10 track and field athletes, including Abdellelah Haroun running the 400m, Abderrahaman Samba running the 400m hurdles and is the winner of last year's meets in Doha, and Ahmed Bader in the javelin. For the first time, Qatari youth Mohanad Khamis will participate in 3,000m steeplechase and Jamal Hairane in 800m run, whereas the rest of the athletes will participate to gain experience and compete against world champions, he added. HE Al Kuwari said the Qatari athletes will compete to win first place and hoped that they win more than one title, as Barshim won 1st place last year in the high jump and Abderrahaman Samba won first place in the 400m hurdles race. He said the athletes have been significantly prepared by attending external camps to reach full readiness to compete, especially in Doha. On the latest preparations for the Diamond League Doha on Friday, the Qatar Athletics Federation president said they are underway and will conclude tomorrow with a major press conference at City Center in the presence of global star athletes, led by Barshim. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe will also arrive tomorrow in Doha to attend the Doha meet along with Asian Athletics Association (AAA) President Dahlan Al Hamad, Dr. Al Kuwari said, noting that a number of Asian and Gulf association presidents were invited to attend the event. Asked about Barshim's preparations and whether he is trying to improve on his number in last year's edition (2.35m), especially that his personal best number is 2.43m, Dr. Al Kuwari said he wishes the best for the Qatari champion, adding that Barshim aims to continue to progress and retain his Diamond League title as well as win in all the meets that he participates in. The Qatar Athletics Federation president said that Barshim is following in the steps of Jamaican legendary athlete Usain Bolt who retired last year, adding that the Qatari champion will be the next major athlete after Bolt according to analysts as Barshim enjoys the same charisma, which fans adore. Al Kuwari said the organizing committee of the 2019 World Championships in Athletics is planning to invite Bolt to attend the event next year along with the Diamond League Doha meet, which, he added, would strongly enhance the concept of sports tourism in Qatar. On cooperation between the Qatar Athletics Federation and Qatari clubs to support age groups and establish new talents at the continental and global levels, Al Kuwari said cooperation is strongly present and the federation delegated clubs to organize tournaments with the federation only providing referees and monitoring the events. Asked whether Qatar Athletics Federation intends to change the date of the Diamond League Doha meet from the beginning of the season to the middle or at the end in order to see the crowning of athletes, Al Kuwari said there is no point of changing the date, especially that May is better than August in terms of weather. He added that kicking off the season in Doha motivates the crowd to attend. The Doha meet will feature 13 competitions, including nine for men; the six races of 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, 1500m and 3000m hurdles, and the three competitions of high jump and spear throwing and triple jump. The event includes four women's competitions; the two races of 100m and 1500m as well as the two competitions of discus throw and pole vault. Diamond League features 14 meets in different cities. it kicks off in Doha on May 4 and concludes in Brussels on Aug. 31. It began in 2010 to replace the IAAF Golden League, which had been held annually since 1998. The first athletic event to take place in Doha was held in 1997 when the Grand Prix took place before it was later promoted to Super Grand Prix in 2005. Doha hosted the first Diamond League round in 2010 and has since then staged major athletic championships, including the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2010. (QNA)