Qatar Basketball

Chairs Vs Champs enthrals Doha

 The exciting exhibition match concluded with an autograph signing ceremony by the players 

Doha, Qatar, 9 June 2012: Sasol in collaboration with Qatar Paralympic Committee organized an all-time unique “Chairs Vs Champs” basketball exhibition match between the South African Paralympic Wheelchair basketball team (WBSA) and the Qatar National Handball team. The match was later followed by an autograph signing ceremony wherein players from both WBSA and Qatar National Handball team signed autographs and posed for pictures. 

Part of the ongoing “Definitely Able Campaign” – a joint collaboration between Sasol and Qatar Paralympic Committee to raise awareness and illustrate the fact that people living with disabilities are able to reach and fulfill their dreams, the Chairs Vs Champs match saw the South African team demonstrate their skill and physical agility against the Qatar National Handball Team. The Qatar Olympic Committee and Embassy of South Africa in Qatar were also part of this campaign. 

The national WBSA team has been part of Sasol’s sponsorship portfolio for the past six years. Just one year into the sponsorship, the team became the African Champions at the Algiers All African Games. Less than a month after that, the team shone in Morocco where they qualified for the Beijing Olympics by beating the home team.

The Qatar National Handball team has twice been runners up at the Asian’s Men Handball Championship – one in 2002 and one in 2012.  

The event began with the Master of Ceremony (MC) for the evening, Mr. Hamad Al-Amari, informing the crowd of safety measures and of the schedule for the evening. The MC kept the crowd engaged and entertained through the evening with his comedic skills. He encouraged the children in the audience to engage with the players and the game. 

Overall, the entire match was very action packed followed by an equally exciting autograph signing ceremony wherein the crowd was seen engaging with the players. 

 The “Definitely Able Campaign” which was initiated with the purpose of focusing on what one can accomplish regardless of his or her disability and that everyone is definitely able to be what they want to be and do what they want to do. The WBSA team participated in various activities like school visits to Shafallah Center and Al Noor Institute for the Blind to name a few. The players played mock matches and games with the students, gave inspirational speeches, and distributed goodies which included exhibition match tickets and posed for pictures and signed autographs.  

Earlier this week the ‘Definitely Able’ campaign was launched by hosting a VIP Dinner at the Al Sharq Resort and Spa. Heading the high profile VIP Dinner guest list were Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Paralympic Committee Dr. Hassan Al Ansari, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Qatar H.E. Dr S Cachalia and Sasol senior management including Country President Mr. Marjo Louw. Entertaining and inspiring the VIP Dinner guests was the sand animation artist Luc Marin, Mustafa Mohammad from Arabs Got Talent, and recent Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar graduate Raagi Al Hammour who serves as the perfect role model that “Being Disabled Means Definitely Able”.

Al Rayyan clinch GCC title in style

MANAMA: Qatar League champions Al Rayyan defeated their Bahraini counterparts Al Hala 89-59 to win the GCC title on Thursday. Both clubs were undefeated throughout the tournament.

It was Rayyan’s fifth Gulf title after wins in 2002, ’04, ’07 and ’10.

They had beaten the UAE’s Al Wasl 79-68 to qualify for the final

Al Sadd pulverize Al Rayyan, conquer Emir Cup crown

Al Sadd pounded the hoops on torrid shooting and shackled the defensive lanes all game long and run away with an 81-56 rout of Al Rayyan in the finals last night to bag the prestigious Emir Cup crown.