Qatar to host 47th World Military Sailing in November

Qatar Armed Forces officials announcing the championship at a press conference on Sunday.

By Sports Reporter/Doha

Qatar will host the 47th World Military Sailing Championship (470 Class) from November 22 to 30 this year, organisers announced yesterday.

Addressing a press conference, Staff Major General Mohamed bin Nasser al-Muhannadi, chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, told journalists that armed forces personnel from about 25 countries will be taking part in the prestigious event which is being held under the auspices of the World Military Sports Council (CISM), a body representing 134 nations.

Qatar’s Armed Forces will organise the event, which is open to both men and women, in collaboration with the Qatar Military Sports Association and the Qatar Sailing Federation.

“The Military Sports Association headed by Brigadier General Dahlan al-Hamad will be supporting the Supreme Organising Committee with its expertise, Staff Major General al-Muhannadi said.

“The Qatar Sailing Federation headed by Khalifa al-Suwaidi will assist us with technical expertise while the Qatar Armed Forces remain responsible for organising and managing the tournament,” he added.

Al-Muhannadi added that Qatar is honoured to be the hosts of the world event.

“Qatar enjoys a very privileged position on the world sports map thanks to its success in hosting several championships across a wide variety of sports. Our sports facilities are among the best in the world.”

He stressed the importance of building friendships through sport.

“We believe in the principle of ‘friendship through sports’. In this sense our armed forces, as a member of the International Military Sports Council, are keen to translate this principle to enhance the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and co-operation among the 134 member states in the CISM.”

Qatar will be providing boats to the sailors, with the Supreme Organising Committee entering into a contract with a leading company to supply 25 boats for the championship, Brigadier General Hassan al-Jassim, chairman of the event, said.

Organisers said a doping control system will be on place during the event.

“Colonel (Doctor) Ibrahim Saleh Yousuf will be in charge of doping control in co-ordination with Aspetar and according to the medical specifications determined by the CISM,” Vice-chairman of the supreme Organising Committee Brigadier General Jumah Saeed al-Kubaisi said.

“We will conduct examinations on random samples determined by the technical committee,” he said.

Brigadier General al-Kubaisi also added that although other nations will be fielding women sailors, only men would represent Qatar in the championship.

The 46th edition of the event was held in Norway where 13 countries took part, but in Qatar the number could double.