Doha, June 09 (QNA) - The Qatar Basketball Federation, in cooperation with the International Center for Sport Security (ICSS), organized a specialized workshop on sports integrity under the slogan "Together, We Play Fair, Compete with Respect, and Win with Integrity".

Held at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, the workshop was attended by federation officials, ICSS representatives, and members of Qatar's U-16 national teams. Discussions focused on protecting the integrity of basketball in Qatar through awareness of match-fixing risks, prevention mechanisms, ethical standards, fair play, and the responsibilities of players, coaches, and administrators.

The event also featured an interactive panel discussion on regional and international integrity challenges in sport.

ICSS CEO Massimiliano Montanari praised the strong cooperation with the Qatar Basketball Federation, emphasizing that awareness initiatives are a fundamental pillar in safeguarding the future of sport and strengthening trust in competitions.

He also commended Qatar's efforts to promote integrity and transparency in sport, noting that building a healthy sporting culture begins with raising awareness and developing knowledge across all parts of the sports ecosystem.

At the conclusion of the event, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb honored Montanari, UNESCO Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Office in Doha Salah El Din Zaki Khaled, and 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Deputy Director Daniel Brown in recognition of their contributions to the initiative.

Al Mughaiseeb stressed that combating match-fixing and promoting sports integrity remain among the federation's top strategic priorities, reflecting its responsibility to protect and develop the game in line with international best practices.

He thanked ICSS, the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and all partners who contributed to the success of the initiative.

In a press statement, Al Mughaiseeb said that promoting a culture of integrity and sporting justice is one of the federation's core objectives, adding that continuous efforts are being made to embed these values across all competitions and programs overseen by the federation.

He added that the federation has recently taken practical steps to strengthen sports governance by updating regulations and organizational frameworks in line with international standards, alongside establishing specialized committees, including the Disciplinary Committee and Appeals Committee, to enhance fairness, transparency, and accountability within the sports system.

For his part, Secretary-General of the federation and Director of National Teams Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari said the federation places great importance on educational and awareness programs as a key element in developing responsible and informed generations of athletes, both on and off the court.

He noted that the workshop forms part of a series of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness among players across all age groups, helping them understand the challenges facing modern sport and strengthening their ability to make decisions that preserve the integrity of competition and protect the reputation of Qatari sport.

Al Kuwari added that investing in education and awareness is one of the most important factors behind successful institutional sports development.

He affirmed that the federation will continue working with local and international partners to develop specialized programs that contribute to building a safe, fair, and sustainable sporting environment that reflects Qatar's growing stature on the regional and international stage. (QNA)