March 8th marked the International Women’s Day which is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. Sports in Qatar has played a huge role in liberalizing women in the country and has given them a platform to express themselves. Qatar is making a steady progression in being recognised as a sporting hub in the middle eastern countries. It is time that they focus on glorifying women in Qatar who have excelled in sports and give them their due respect.
Here’s a list of women in Qatar who have excelled in sports.
1) Bahiya Mansour Al-Hamad
Born on June 21, 1992, Bahiya is a rifle shooter from Qatar. She was the first female athlete to carry the Qatari flag at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. She finished 17th of 56 in the 10-meter air rifle competition.
Achievements: Pan Arab Games – Gold Medal 2011, Doha – 50 m rifle 3 positions, Silver medal 2011, Doha- 10 m air rifle
2) Huda Muhammed Akbar
It was Huda who brought Taekwondo into the sporting fraternity of Qatar. She is the first-ever Qatari women to participate in the Asian Games in Taekwondo.
Achievements: Gold and Silver Medals in Qatar Championship for 2 consecutive years. Represented Qatar in the Asian games.
3) Rania Al Naji
She is the only hammer thrower to represent Qatar at the Jakarta Palembang 2018 competition. Rania al-Naji gained her first international experience at the Youth Asian Championships 2017 in Bangkok, where she finished fourth with 53.24 m.
Achievements: Winner of Arabian Junior Championship in 2018. Finished fifth in Junior Asian Championship in Gifu, Japan in 2018 as well. Finished ninth at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2019.
4) Mariam Farid
Farid is a 400-meter Hurdler from Qatar. She is one of the fastest athletes in the county. Farid clocked 1.09 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha in October last year. This remains her best race till date.
“My goal is inspiring the younger generation, breaking down barriers, making people’s perception of how women are in the Middle East,” she said after winning the contest.
5) Nada Mohamed Wafa Arakji
Nada Mohamed is a Qatari swimmer who became the first woman to represent Qatar at the Olympics. She is an inspiration for many budding women athletes in Qatar. She was one of the bidding members in Doha’s bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Achievements: She competed in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2012 Summer Olympics, becoming the first woman to represent Qatar at the Olympics London 2012 and Rio 2016.
6) Noor Hussain Al-Malki
Noor Hussain Al-Malki is an Arab sprinter, and a member of the Qatari Olympic Team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. By competing in London she became one of the first female athletes to represent the country at the Olympic Games. She won the QAFF (Qatar Association of Athletics Federation) for being the best athlete in 2010-11.
Achievements– Personal best 100 m – 12.61 (2012)
7) Aya Mohamed Majdi
Aya Mohamed Majdi is an Egyptian born Qatari table tennis player. Trained by the Chinese coach Su Li, Aya won three gold medals- singles, doubles and team at the 2010 GCC Championship in Doha. Majdi made her Olympic debut in 2012.
Achievements: Singles, Doubles and team Gold medals at the 2010 Global Corporate Challenge Championship in Doha.
8) Kenza Sosse
Kenza Sosse is a Qatari athlete. She impressed at the 400 meters Women’s heat event at the 2019 World Athletics Championships.
Achievements: She set a national record and season-best timing and also competed in the 400m Hurdles heat.
Thus women from various sporting disciplines have brought success to Qatar’s sporting fraternity. These eight Qatari women who have excelled in sports will certainly inspire their next generation of athletes to take sports as a profession.
This International Women’s Day lets embrace the strengths and acknowledge the sportsmanship of Qatari women. Females across Qatar have broken all the barriers and raised the culture of the Qatari community. We salute the dedication of all the women who have made a positive decision to participate in sports.
Click the link to watch the video of Qatari Women Sportsmanship- http://bit.ly/3azyTVe
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