Qatar women’s sport, one step at a time…

If a few months a go, someone told me that Qatar was a happening place for women’s sport, I would have scoffed at them for their apparent ignorance. However, now, if someone says the same, I will vigorously shake my head up and down and say that “Yay, it’s indeed happening!”
The sports activities happening in Qatar, especially those aimed at women, has totally changed my perception about the country. Granted, they may be eons behind the USA or China in terms of the quality of athletes. However, I’ve been to a few sporting events where Qatari girls competed and more often than not, I saw raw determination writ large on their faces. They had the burning desire in their eyes to succeed. They had the look and feel of young champions in the making.
My fascination with women’s sport in Qatar started when I attended the national basketball team’s game against Kuwait a few weeks back. I had written about it here: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/353848
The enthusiastic participation, both from the basketball team members and the crowd, piqued my interest. I decided to explore about Qatar’s other women’s teams and boy, was I mind-blown.
Apparently, Qatar is a regional women’s power in athletics, shooting, fencing, table tennis, basketball, handball, volleyball and chess. Phew! I also recently read in the Qatar Olympic Committee website that the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee had organised a futsal competition for the first time last week. Who knows, next thing you know, Qatar may even have it’s own women’s football team.
People in the know say that the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee, set up in 2001 and functioning out of the Ladies Sports Hall in the ASPIRE Zone, is a beehive of activity. I personally visited the building which houses their office (during the basketball match) and they have breathtaking facilities.
Qatar has conducted many international women’s sporting events in the past. Although I couldn’t attend WTA tennis tournament, I made it a point to visit Aspire academy during the fencing grand prix. I am looking forward to the athletics grand prix in May, where I hear American Allison Felix and Croatian Blanka Vlasic will participate.
The reason for this post is to make people aware that women’s sport is the next happening thing in the country. However, they need your encouragement as well. It would be awesome if you attended their competitions, just to cheer them and say “Yes, we believe in you and what you do!”
That was why I attended the basketball game and I enjoyed myself immensely. There are plenty of activities coming up now.
This post had been in my mind for quite some time. I finally sat down to get this out of my mind, into the screen and onto Qatar Living. I believe that QL has the power to inform, initiate thought processes and change perceptions.
Who knows, this post may even end up filling the Khalifa Stadium with people the next time the girls compete in the local athletics competitions.

:-)