Doha, January 24 (QNA) - Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, is set to host the 2nd GCC Women's Sports Tournament for Universities and Higher Education Institutions from February 6 to 11, 2026.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Youth and hosted for the first time in the State of Qatar, the tournament seeks to strengthen cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, while also contributing to the regional development of women's university sports.

By bringing together universities and higher education institutions from across the GCC, HBKU is advancing its role as an advocate for regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative institutional partnership. Leveraging world-class infrastructure, the tournament advances the University's academic mission beyond the classroom, reinforcing student development and well-being as core pillars of higher education.

Competition takes place across seven venues, six within Education City and one at Qatar University, with the opening ceremony on February 7, 2026, at Al Shaqab's Longine Indoor Arena. Around 450 female students representing 16 of the region's universities and higher education institutions will compete across eight sports: football, volleyball, basketball, padel, table tennis, badminton, athletics, with fencing making its first appearance at the tournament.

The tournament's draw ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Education City Stadium. Attendees will include heads of the technical committees from the relevant federations, representatives from participating universities, and members of the supervisory committee.

Commenting on the competition, Vice President for Student Affairs at HBKU and Chair of the tournament's Supreme Organizing Committee, Dr. Maryam Hamad Al Mannai stated: "Hosting this event reflects the University's academic and societal mission.

It is not solely a sporting occasion, but a complementary experience that brings together sport, education, and culture, while highlighting the role of women in our societies. We are working with various stakeholders to ensure a successful tournament promoting women's university sports."

Beyond competition, the tournament affirms the core values of teamwork, integrity, and resilience, while advancing women's participation in sport as a catalyst for human development and social progress, Dr. Al Mannai added. (QNA)