African Federation President Hails Qatar's Role in Developing Weightlifting

Doha, December 22 (QNA) - President of Weightlifting Federation of Africa Khaled Mhalhel praised the high technical level witnessed at the 5th International Qatar Cup Weightlifting Championships, in light of the participation of international and Olympic champions, pointing out that the championship has been adopted by the International Weightlifting Federation as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mhalhel told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the championship witnessed amazing performances by many male and female lifters, most notably the Qatari Fares Hassouna, who won the three gold medals in the weight of 96kg, as well as achieving two new world records at the youth level. He stressed that Hassouna can make many achievements in the future if he continued at this high technical level. President of Weightlifting Federation of Africa added that the 5th International Qatar Cup Weightlifting Championships came out distinctly from an organizational point of view, which is remarkable for the State of Qatar in organizing the most important sporting events, congratulating the Qatar Federation on the success of the tournament, as well as the wonderful brilliance of Qatar's Fares Hassouna. He explained that African lifters, especially from the Arab countries, didn't participate in the International Qatar Cup Weightlifting Championships due to the conflicting dates with the Arab and Islamic solidarity Championships, held days ago in Egypt. Mhalhel appreciated the role played by the State of Qatar, represented by Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, President of the Qatar and Asian Weightlifting Federations and Vice-President of the International Weightlifting Federation, in the development and dissemination of the game locally, continentally and internationally. He noted the great cooperation and coordination between the African and Asian federations, as well as with the Qatari Federation in the various tournaments that are organized. Mhalhel stressed that he is making great efforts to develop and spread weightlifting sport in various African countries, adding that the African federation is holding training camps for players at its expense, in addition to the support of many countries with the necessary equipment to exercise weightlifting. (QNA)