Doha:The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has announced the 2026 Youth Games, scheduled to take place from November 18 to 22, under the theme "Towards a Sporting Generation and a Promising Future." This event aims to showcase a wide array of young male and female sports talents, demonstrating the QOC's dedication to nurturing young athletes and investing in future generations.
According to Qatar News Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference at the QOC headquarters, highlighting that 338 young athletes have registered for the Games. This includes 276 boys and 62 girls. A total of 95 participants are registered for the 10-metre recurve archery event, while 177 will compete in the 10-metre air rifle and air pistol events. Additionally, 33 teams will participate in padel.
The competitions are set to occur daily from 400 pm to 900 pm, offering young athletes a platform to demonstrate their skills and gain competitive experience. The Games will conclude on November 22, 2026, with finals in shooting, archery, and padel, followed by awards for the top finishers in both boys' and girls' categories across all sports.
Abdullah Al Athba, Head of the Support Services Committee, expressed gratitude to the attendees and introduced the sports program, which includes shooting, archery, and padel for athletes aged 12 to 17. He emphasized the readiness of the venues, equipped with necessary facilities and logistical support, along with the presence of staff and volunteers at The Dome in Qatar Foundation and the Lusail Indoor Shooting Range.
Abdullah Al Abdullah, Head of the Technical Committee, discussed the technical and officiating aspects of the competitions, highlighting coordination with the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association and the Qatar Padel Federation.
Abdulrahman Al Mulla highlighted the padel competitions' role in leveraging the sport's popularity to identify and nurture young talent into future champions. He emphasized the importance of providing technical support and qualified officiating to foster a competitive environment.
Masoud Al Athba pointed out that shooting and archery help in developing young athletes' discipline and concentration, aiming to identify promising Qatari athletes to continue the country's sporting legacy.
Hind Al Ibrahim, Director of the 2026 Youth Games, stated that the event will help identify athletes with strong potential, offering them pathways for development and readiness for future competitions. She linked this to the preparations for the Doha 2030 Asian Games, emphasizing the strategic importance of developing young athletes.
Najlaa Al Khayareen, Head of the Marketing and Communications Committee, highlighted the promotional strategy to engage the community, including activities that allowed the public to experience padel and archery. She reported significant community interest and detailed plans for comprehensive media coverage during the Games, ensuring public engagement through various platforms.
Source Qatar News Agency
