Doha- The Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing Federation (QWFF) and Aspire Academy underlined Wednesday Doha’s readiness to host the Fencing Grand Prix Qatar 2021 Foil, which will kick off Friday and run over three days at Aspire Dome.
This was announced during the press conference held yesterday and witnessed the signing of the contract to host the tournament between Qatar Weightlifting and Fencing Federation and Aspire Academy, in the presence of Secretary-General of QWFF Khalid Issa Al Hammadi and Deputy Director General of Aspire Academy Ali Salem Afifa.
Speaking at the press conference, Afifa expressed pleasure that the Fencing Grand Prix Qatar 2021 will be held at Aspire Academy Dome, and welcomed the partners in QWFF, noting that the joint strategy between Aspire Academy and QWFF is based on preparing players capable of competing at the highest levels and present them to the team, in addition to highlighting the ability of Qatar to host major events that have become the focus of everyone’s attention, which is reflected in the passion of international sports bodies to come to Doha which provided an ideal and safe place for hosting various events during the coronavirus pandemic.
For his part, Al Hammadi, who is the director of the tournament, thanked Aspire Academy for the good hosting of all tournaments, as well as Qatar Olympic Committee under the chairmanship of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani for providing all means of support for hosting the tournament.
He stressed the importance of hosting this edition of the Grand Prix championship in Foil as it is the last tournament before the Tokyo Olympic Games and its points are doubled, so it will witness the participation of the top players who wish to qualify for the Olympic Games.
He noted that 493 athletes from 51 countries, including 296 players, 89 coaches, 108 auxiliary cadres and 20 referees will take part in the tournament, adding that there are 4 Arab teams taking part in the championship which are Egypt (10 players), Tunisia (4 players), Algeria (1 player), and Qatar (9 players).
Al Hammadi noted that the partnership with Aspire Academy is not limited to this tournament, it is rather a clear strategy to prepare a Qatari team that is capable to compete in the Asian Games 2030 which Doha will host.
Head of the stadiums committee of the championship Khaled Suweid confirmed the full readiness of the championship stadiums at Aspire Dome, noting that the main hall contains 16 stadiums and the training hall contains 10 stadiums, in addition to a special stadium for the final and the coronation ceremonies.
He underlined that all preparations have taken into account the precautionary measures in a way that does not affect the ease of movement, entry and exit to and from the main hall.
By: QOC