Qatar’s women ready for Ashgabat 2017 challenge

Bengaluru, August 2: Qatar is ready to give it all as it sends a strong delegation to compete at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games taking place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, from September 17 to 27.

Ever since the won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has drawn global attention in a number of areas when it comes to sport.

Following that historic announcement in 2010, a concerted effort was launched by the leadership to promote more opportunities in sport, particularly among the female population.

In particular, the country focussed on ensuring female athletes would be a part of its delegation to participate in Olympics for the first time in London 2012.

And it paid off with Noor Al Malki (athletics), Nada Arkaji (swimming), Bahiya Al Hamad (shooting) and Aya Maidi (table tennis) all making history in London.

Four years later in Rio de Janeiro, Qatari females were in the spotlight again when Nada and Dalal Al Harith (athletics) joined Qatar's largest-ever Olympic contingent of 38 athletes.

The ambition to have more female athletes does not stop there and investment has continued to identify and train more females through to international level.

"I think the number of women will increase," said Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari.

The Ashgabat 2017 will provide another major international platform for them to show their progress.

So while the final number for the Qatar team to Ashgabat 2017 is being finalised, a large female contingent can be expected not only for competing, but also looking for medals.

OneIndia News