HH the Emir of Qatar Opens 24th IHF Men's Handball World Championship

Doha, January 15 (QNA) - HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al -Thani patronized the opening of the 24th IHF Men's Handball World Championship - Qatar 2015 in the presence of a number of Heads of State and participating delegations at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall this evening. The opening ceremony was attended by HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al -Thani, the Personal Representative of HH the Emir and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al -Thani. The ceremony was also attended by a number of the country's guests , in addition to their excellencies sheikhs, ministers, senior sports officials and mass of people . HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the IHF World Handball Championships expressed pleasure to welcome the honoured guests from around the globe, and particularly the 24 participating countries at the opening of the 24th Mens Handball World Championship Qatar 2015, and thanked them for their participation the championship. HE Sheikh Joaan said : I am honoured to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, for his endless support to the sports in our country, which is aligned with the key pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. Inspired by this vision, countless efforts have been deployed to establish impressive sports landmarks with international standards, to help guide local institutions to support sport and athletes. Thankfully, Qatar has become a global sport destination uniting people from all over the world in a safe and competitive environment. "We dedicate this edition of the Mens Handball World Championship Qatar 2015 to the children of the world" HE Sheikh Joaan said ading that the proceeds of tickets sales will go to the Education Above All program "Educate A Child", as part of our efforts to support projects aiming to help childhood and education. HE Sheikh Joaan said: "We are gathered here today after the combined efforts and the dedication done by the staff and volunteers team at the Qatar 2015 Organising Committee, backed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Qatar Olympic Committee, and local and international institutions led by the International Handball Federation. So, we thank them all for their hard work". "We have also ensured that hosting this leading sport event along with the inauguration of the Lusail Multipurpose Hall, will be a memorable moment in handball history" he said. HE Sheikh Joaan said : "I am honored to ask His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar to announce the opening of the championship". In his speech on the occasion, President of the International Handball Conferdetion Hassan Mustafa expressed pleasure to take part of the opening ceremony of the 24th Mens Handball World Championship, which he said is considered as the most prestigious championship in the International Handball Federation and for the first it is held in the Gulf region. He welcomed the 24 participating countries to this championship and thank my colleagues; the presidents of continental federations, for organising the qualifications events. He extended his deepest appreciation and gratefulness to HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al -Thani for hosting this global event. We trust that it will be a remarkable championship. We also, thank HH the Emir for his endless support to Qatari handball game leading it to become a powerful game in the Asian level for all age groups. He congratulated the Qatari handball coming generations for this foresighted sport leadership. Qatar is the only country worldwide to celebrate a National Sport Day with the support of its leaders and deep belief in sport investment among nationals. Qatar has spared no effort nor financial support to establish new sport venues for the championship which were all built as per international standards and at record time. One of these venues is the headquarters of the Qatar Handball Association, he noted . On this point, Id like to thank the Qatari authorities led by H.E the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E Minister of Defense, and H.E Minister of Youth and Sports for their deployed efforts. "Following my inspections visit to the championship venues, I have held last minute meetings with the workers in absence of officials. I was very delighted to hear that they have not suffered any work pressure in contrast to the news spread. This has been confirmed by the efforts deployed by security, media, marketing and operations committees", he said . He extended thanks the President of Qatar 2015 Organising Committee, H.E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the Vice President of Qatar 2015 Organsing Committee, Ahmed Al Shaabi and Director General, Qatar 2015 Organising Committee, Dr. Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari for their efforts ahead of this global event. For the first time in the history of handball world championships, education and awarness program is organised for the handball society including coaches, referees, administrators, doctors, and secretary generals of national committees as well as junior journalists from around the globe. Not to mention that 200 heads of States representing national associations and federations have invited members in the International Handball Federation, he said. Then, HH the Emir attended part of the opening match between the Qatari handball team and the Brazilian national team. Before the start of the ceremony, HH the Emir unveiled the curtain to officially mark the opening of the Lusail Multipurpose Sports Hall. (END)