The Peninsula: Qatar a Global Equestrian Hub

Doha, February 21 (QNA) - Qatari English newspaper The Peninsula said in its editorial Sunday that the State of Qatar has become a destination for global sports and a capital for hosting successful major events. In this regard, the paper noted the State of Qatar's successful organization of the Amir Sword Festival of horse racing, which reaffirms its status as one of the main centres of the equestrian sports in the world. The event, the paper said, was held with a limited number of fans attending the action, held under strict safety and health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Public Health to stop the spread of coronavirus. The Amir Sword Festival of horse racing carried a whopping total prize money of $4.34 million while in the showjumping event, a total of QR500,000, was up for grabs, the paper pointed out. The top-notch action in equestrian sports will continue in Qatar till the end of the season in around two months time, as next week, Al Shaqab will organise the 8th edition of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, in addition to the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and Global Champions League 2021 season openers from March 4 to 6, the paper noted. The sports authorities in Qatar are putting in a lot of effort by continuing organising major events despite facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Peninsula concluded. (QNA)