Doha, April 10 (QNA) - The fourth edition of the International Camel Handball Championship is set to kick off Friday in Doha and will continue until April 13. The event is being held alongside the annual festival of purebred Arabian camels racing on the sword of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

The competition will take place at the official camel handball field at Libsear ground in Al Shahaniya. For the first time, the championship will feature participation from 17 teams representing all five continents, including hosts Qatar, alongside teams from the United States, Australia, Colombia, Bulgaria, Oman, Palestine, Morocco, Libya, Lebanon, Djibouti, Algeria, Somalia, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq, and Mauritania.

President of the Qatar Handball Association Ahmed Mohammed Al Shaabi stated, during a press conference held in partnership with the Arab Union For Camel Races (Al Mahari) and attended by representatives from Arab and international federations, that the championship serves as a successful model for collaboration between the Qatar Handball Association and the Arab Federation for Camel Racing.

He said that all facilities are fully at the disposal of the Arab Union, and they will provide all forms of support to ensure the championship is organized in the best possible way.

He added that this is an Arab championship with a global aspect, and having this many participants in a newly established sport is no simple feat. It clearly reflects significant interest, noting that this traditional and popular sport is a source of pride for Qatar. He expressed his hope for a strong championship that would benefit all participants.

President of the Arab Union for Camel Racing and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Camel Racing in Qatar Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Kuwari expected fierce competition for the title in this edition, given the close levels among all participating teams.

Al Kuwari highlighted the global following and admiration for camel sports and invited fans to attend and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at Libsear ground.

He also mentioned several surprises planned for camel handball enthusiasts at the championship's conclusion, adding that any camel sport championship is always full of surprises, wishing this edition to meet global standards and provides enjoyment on both technical and organizational levels.

Al Kuwari emphasized that all participating teams have prepared thoroughly and are more professional compared to previous editions, thanks to repeated competitions and numerous local championships held recently, allowing each federation to carefully select their players for international competition.

He noted that most federation representatives arrived early in Doha to train on camels provided by the Arab Federation for Camel Racing for all participants.

Al Kuwari also reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to continuous development and achieving sustained success, highlighting that camel handball was introduced during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 finals. 

Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Camel Racing Dr. Hizam Nasser Al Mqareh revealed the mascot for the fourth edition of the championship, praising the outstanding partnership between the Qatar Handball Association and the Arab Union for Camel Racing.

During the press conference, Al Mqareh announced the detailed regulations of the championship covering all competition rules and mechanisms, which will soon be available on the Arab union's official website.

He highlighted that camel handball opens up numerous opportunities, facilitates knowledge exchange, and emphasizes the importance of traditional sports, particularly camel racing, the sport of the ancestors.

He added that this is a modern sport invented by the Arab Union to further develop camel racing, stressing that they succeeded in blending handball with camel racing and launched this initiative in 2022 alongside the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, culminating in the current international championship involving all five continents.

He pointed out that a main stadium and a training field have been allocated for the championship, with friendly matches scheduled for teams exiting the competition. Dedicated areas for visitors will provide an enjoyable experience for attendees.

The Secretary-General also announced that the championship matches will be broadcast live on all platforms, including Al Rayyan TV.

During the conference, the fourth championship trophy design was unveiled alongside the draw for the 17 participating teams. The teams were divided into two categories, Group A and Group B. An initial qualifying match will be held between Morocco and Bulgaria, with the winner advancing to Group B to complete the 16-team structure, each group consisting of eight teams.

The winner of the qualifiers (Morocco or Bulgaria) will face Tunisia in the Round of 16, while Djibouti will compete against Iraq and Australia will play against Libya.

Other Round of 16 matches will see encounters between the United States and Oman, Algeria and Mauritania, Somalia and Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar, and Colombia and Palestine.

Winners from each match will advance to the quarterfinals, with pathways to the semifinals and finals determined by the draw. All matches will follow a knockout format.

According to the competition schedule, the semifinals will take place on Saturday, followed by the final match and award ceremony on Sunday.

The Arab Union for Camel Racing invited all camel handball enthusiasts to attend the matches and cheer for their favorite teams. The federation promised accompanying entertainment activities and comprehensive media coverage to ensure a delightful experience for everyone. (QNA)