Officials of the Qatar Table Tennis Association pose for a photograph with the Team Qatar paddlers and officials upon their return to Doha at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit
Doha: Khalil Ahmad Al Mohannadi, President of the Arab Table Tennis Federation and Qatar Table Tennis Association, yesterday hailed Team Qatar's performance at the Arab Table Tennis Championships which concluded in Amman, Jordan.
Qatari paddlers and officials yesterday returned to a rousing welcome at the Hamad International Airport following brilliant show in Amman where they bagged a total of 19 medals, including four gold and five silver medals to occupy the second place in the overall standings.
Al Mohannadi, who is also the First Vice President of the International and Asian Table Tennis Federations, yesterday graded the team's 19-medal haul as a historic achievement.
"What was achieved in Amman is historic, whether given the number of medals achieved by our champions or their diversity. Medals were won by players in many age groups, especially in the junior categories. They are the future of table tennis in Qatar," Al Mohannadi said.
"This achievement didn't come overnight. It is the result of long-term preparations that has been going on for years,"Al Mohannadi said.
"Players from different age groups and the technical and administrative staff made great efforts during the local events, preparing for such big international tournaments. Training camps were conducted in partnership with
Aspire Academy. These medals are the result of all their hard work. And for this they deserve praise and honour,” he said.
Sultan Khalid Al Kuwari, who bagged three medals during the Championships, expressed his happiness at the great reception the team received upon their arrival at the Hamad International Airport yesterday.
"This motivates us to produce more and more good performances," Al Kuwari, who was crowned with team gold, and won silver in doubles and bronze in U-11 singles, said.
"Thank God for the medals. I dedicate this achievement to my father. I will continue to work hard because our ambitions are limitless and we have the ability to compete in various tournaments," Al Kuwari said.
Egypt won the first place in the tournament which witnessed strong competitions which took place amidst extraordinary circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The club competitions of the Arab Championships kicked off yesterday with Al Sadd SC and Qatar SC representing Qatar in the men’s competitions, and Qatar Women club in the ladies’ division.
