Doha: The Qatar International Friendship Artistic Gymnastics Championship began yesterday morning at Aspire Academy, marking the start of a two-day event featuring 225 young gymnasts from six countries—Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials from the Qatar Gymnastics Federation along with the gymnasts' parents, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Qatar is represented in the championship by 60 gymnasts from the Qatar Gymnastics Club Academy and the Qatar Gymnastics Academy.
Ali Al-Hitmi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, expressed his delight at the strong performances displayed by the gymnasts, emphasizing that the high level of competition reflects the commitment of participating nations to fielding their best athletes.
"The high technical level of the participants has made the judging process challenging, which is a testament to the quality of gymnasts in this tournament," he stated.
He also said "What started as an idea has now evolved into a distinguished championship, providing academies with a great opportunity to assess their gymnasts' progress at this crucial developmental stage. For the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, this tournament is an excellent platform to identify emerging talent and evaluate the effectiveness of academy training programs, helping shape the federation's future strategy."
Speaking on the event’s organization, Al-Hitmi stressed that the championship has set a new standard for academy-level competitions, stating, "Everyone is pleased with the high level of organization, and we have received excellent feedback. The strong participation numbers and the quality of organization reflect Qatar’s expertise in hosting international gymnastics events. Our goal is always to ensure that every tournament held in Qatar meets world-class standards."
He also pointed out that the event supports Qatar’s tourism sector, as the gymnasts' families have traveled from various countries, offering them a chance to explore Qatar’s cultural and tourist attractions.
Abeer Al-Buainain, Vice Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, praised the high technical level of the competition, stating "As expected, the performances have been incredibly strong, making it difficult for the judging panel due to the close competition and tight scoring margins."
"With 60 Qatari gymnasts participating, the championship provides an invaluable experience for them to compete against top talent from various countries. This exposure helps in discovering new talents and enhances the experience of our young gymnasts," she added.
She concluded by emphasizing the championship’s significance, saying "Though it is a two-day event, the tournament has witnessed strong participation from academy gymnasts and has been delivered at an exceptional organizational level, making it one of the best competitions in this category."
