The table tennis championship for people with disabilities concluded in a highly competitive atmosphere as part of the 11th edition of the Ramadan Sports Festival 2025, which is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan and continues until Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
The tournament witnessed fierce competition among the players, who demonstrated exceptional skills and a high level of sportsmanship. The competition was divided into several categories based on the type of disability, with players competing in an environment filled with determination and enthusiasm, in front of a large audience and with support from various sports organizations.
The awards ceremony was attended by: Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hassan, Executive Director of Facilities and Events at Aspire Zone Foundation, Mr. Fahad Ahmed Al-Mana, Manager of Communications, Mr. Rashid Saeed ALMuraikhi, Venue Hire Manager, Mr. Salah Al-Yahri, Head of Outdoor Venues at Aspire Zone Foundation, Mr. Hussein Jassim Al-Haddad, Member of the Qatar Paralympic Committee and Director of the Table Tennis Championship , Qatari youth icon Ghanim Al-Muftah , and Representatives from Aspire Zone Foundation: Ms. Hanadi Alsulaiti , Head of Activation, Ms. Ghada Al-Obaid and Ms. Noof Al-Saffar, Members of the Festival Organizing Committee
They presented medals and trophies to the winners.
Tournament Participation and Results
As the only table tennis championship of its kind in Qatar during Ramadan, the event featured more than 44 players who share a passion for the sport, competing in three categories: hearing, motor, and visual impairments.
Tournament Winners:
- Visual Impairment Category:
- Gold: Ahmed Al-Kubaisi
- Silver: Ikrami Maddadi
- Bronze: Mohammed Shmeis
- Motor Impairment (Standing) Category:
- Gold: Mustafa Amin
- Silver: Khalifa Al-Nuaimi
- Bronze: Mohammed Dalool
- Motor Impairment (Seated) Category:
- Gold: Abdulrahman Abdulqader
- Silver: Ahmed Issa
- Bronze: Fawzi Hawaji
- Intellectual Disability Category:
- Gold: Ibrahim Al-Hammadi
- Silver: Mohammed Mousa
- Bronze: Salman Al-Sharshani
- Hearing Impairment Category:
- Gold: Mohammed Shehab
- Silver: Ruba
- Bronze: Abdulshaker
Championship Atmosphere
The tournament featured an engaging and interactive atmosphere, where competitions were complemented by entertainment and awareness activities aimed at supporting and empowering athletes with disabilities while promoting their inclusion in sports events.
Organized as part of the Ramadan Sports Festival 2025, this tournament is one of Qatar’s leading annual sporting events, encouraging community participation in sports and fostering a spirit of fair competition.
Providing an Ideal Competitive Environment
Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hassan, Executive Director of Facilities and Events at Aspire Zone Foundation, expressed the foundation’s pride in hosting tournaments that promote sports and social inclusion.
"At Aspire Zone Foundation, we are committed to supporting various sports, particularly those designed for people with disabilities. We believe in empowering them and providing opportunities to participate in sports events. The table tennis tournament for people with disabilities is a key part of the Ramadan Sports Festival, where we ensure a competitive environment that allows players to showcase their talents and abilities."
Hussein Al-Haddad: This Year Saw the Highest Number of Participants
Mr. Hussein Al-Haddad, Member of the Qatar Paralympic Committee and Director of the Championship, highlighted the success of the event and the high level of participation.
"Every year, we see an increase in the number of players and improvements in skill levels. This year recorded the highest participation in the hearing impairment category, with 17 players, followed by 14 in the visual impairment category and 13 in the intellectual disability category. The standing motor impairment category was particularly remarkable for the skills demonstrated by the players."
Al-Haddad also pointed out that visually impaired competitors use a special "bell ball", relying entirely on its sound to determine its direction. "In this category, blind players depend fully on hearing, scoring 10 points per successful shot according to their special rules," he explained.
Embassy Football Tournament (Teams)
The Embassy Football Tournament delivered exciting matches, with the fifth day of competition yielding the following results:
- Bosnia & Herzegovina defeated Thailand (20-1)
- Malaysia defeated Tajikistan (6-2)
- Syria defeated Nepal (6-2)
The group stage concludes on Monday, March 10, 2025, featuring three key matchups:
- Eritrea vs. Afghanistan
- Indonesia vs. Sudan
- Kenya vs. Thailand
Group Standings After the Fifth Day
- Group 1: Tunisia leads with 6 points, followed by Malaysia (3 points), and Tajikistan (0 points).
- Group 2: Jordan leads with 6 points, followed by Syria (3 points), and Nepal (0 points).
- Group 3: China and Somalia share the lead with 3 points each, while Mali has 0 points.
- Group 4: Algeria tops the group with 3 points, followed by Qatar (1 point) and Iran (1 point).
- Group 5: Chad and Eritrea share the lead with 3 points each, while Iraq has 0 points.
- Group 6: Ethiopia and Spain share the lead with 3 points each, while Afghanistan has 0 points.
- Group 7: India leads with 6 points, while Indonesia and Sudan have 0 points.
- Group 8: Bosnia & Herzegovina leads with 6 points, while Kenya and Thailand have 0 points.
Aspire Sponsors and Institutions Tournament
The Aspire Sponsors and Institutions Tournament continued, featuring eight teams divided into two groups:
- Group 1: Al-Awalia-RCA, Finance Department (Ashghal), Road Management Center (Ashghal), and Asset Sector 1 (Ashghal).
- Group 2: Asset Sector 2 (Ashghal), Aspire Zone Foundation, Buildings Department (Ashghal), and Al-Awalia.
Latest Match Results:
- Al-Awalia defeated Aspire Zone Foundation (9-2).
- Building Department (Ashghal) defeated Asset Sector 2 (Ashghal) (3-1).
Upcoming Matches (March 10, 2025):
- Al-Awalia vs. Asset Sector 2 (Ashghal)
- Aspire Zone Foundation vs. Buildings Department (Ashghal)
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the final match set for March 16, 2025.
This tournament continues to provide an exciting competitive platform for institutions and sponsors, fostering engagement and team spirit among employees and stakeholders.