Qatar ready to stage 4th GCC Games Doha 2026 as ‘Washeq’ unveiled

Doha, Qatar: Qatar has unveiled the official mascot, ‘Washeq’, as it confirmed full readiness to host the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026, with all preparations completed ahead of the event scheduled from May 11 to 22.

The announcement was made yesterday during a press conference at Al Wajba Hall at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee, in the presence of senior officials and media representatives.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al-Thani, Head of the Marketing and Communications Committee, said the mascot launch marks an important step in building public engagement, particularly among youth, while reflecting the spirit and identity of the Games. milkshake.it.com

He added that Qatar’s hosting of the Games represents a continuation of strong sporting cooperation among GCC countries and highlights the deep-rooted ties that unite the region.Officials pose for a photo during the unveiling of the mascot for the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026, ‘Washeq’, at the QOC Headquarters.

“This edition of the Games provides an important platform to strengthen ties among Gulf youth, promote sporting values, and reinforce the role of sport as a bridge for communication,” he said.

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Organisers also outlined a comprehensive branding and marketing strategy inspired by Gulf culture and heritage, designed to appeal to a broad audience while delivering a distinctive experience.

In addition, a number of official sponsors and strategic partners have been announced, supporting the event’s delivery and enhancing its overall reach and impact.

The organising committee has invited the public to attend the opening ceremony on May 11 at Al Shaqab, where the Games will officially begin with a showcase reflecting Qatar’s level of preparation.

With final arrangements in place, organisers will now focus on rolling out the full marketing campaign to ensure strong attendance and a successful edition that reflects the aspirations of GCC nations.

‘Washeq’ - A reflection of Gulf identity

“Washeq,” has been designed to embody the cultural identity and shared values of the Gulf region, according to organisers.

Speaking on the significance of the mascot, Maryam Al-Mansoori, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at the Organising Committee, said the choice was inspired by the desert caracal, a distinctive symbol of the Arabian Peninsula’s natural environment.

She explained that the mascot reflects the core principles of the Games, including fair competition, discipline, and the spirit of Gulf unity, aligned with the event’s slogan, “One Gulf, One Heart.”“Washeq is closely tied to Gulf identity and represents an important part of the region’s wildlife heritage, historically present across deserts, valleys, and diverse landscapes,” she said.

Al-Mansoori noted that the selection highlights the deep cultural and environmental connections shared by GCC countries, reinforcing a collective vision for the future. The mascot also symbolizes key attributes such as agility, precision, and adaptability—qualities drawn from the resilience of desert life. Its composed and calm character, she added, reflects the professionalism and balance that the Games aim to promote.

Meanwhile Qatar’s delegation has reached full readiness for participation in the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026, with all administrative and logistical arrangements completed, officials confirmed.

Speaking ahead of the Games, Najla Al-Khayareen, Head of the Qatari Administrative Delegation, said preparations have been finalised to ensure athletes can compete under optimal conditions.

She noted that accommodation, transport, and all technical and logistical support systems are in place, allowing competitors to focus entirely on their performances.

“Team Qatar has reached the highest level of readiness for this major sporting event,” she said, adding that athletes have been carefully selected to represent the country at a competition that serves as an important step in preparation for future international events.

Qatar is set to compete across 19 sports, including handball, athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, shooting, and equestrian, among others.

Al-Khayareen also called on fans to support the national team, stressing that strong public backing plays a vital role in motivating athletes and achieving positive results.

She expressed confidence in Team Qatar’s ability to deliver strong performances and contribute to a successful edition that reflects the spirit of Gulf unity.

The fourth edition of the GCC Games will feature competitions in 19 disciplines, including table tennis, squash, padel, fencing, boxing, taekwondo, karate, billiards, snooker, archery, and bowling.

Events will be staged across 11 venues in Doha, such as Aspire Dome, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, and Lusail Shooting Range, reflecting the country’s extensive sports infrastructure.

The GCC Games were first held in Manama in 2011, bringing together six Gulf nations and around 1,500 athletes competing in 11 sports. Qatar finished third overall with 20 medals.

The second edition took place in Dammam in 2015, where Qatar again secured third place, significantly improving its tally to 59 medals.

In the most recent edition, held in Kuwait City in 2022, Qatar finished fifth with 52 medals in a competition that featured more than 1,500 athletes across 16 sports. With the upcoming edition set to begin, organisers and officials are hopeful that Team Qatar will build on its past performances and make a strong impact on home soil.

By Stephanie Karl, Sports Nutritionist from UPANDRUNNING

The observance of Ramadan hours this year will fall between around 6am until 7pm – a definite consequence for training and performance of the competitive athlete. Falling mostly in April, it is not the hottest part of the year and daylight hours are around eleven hours.

Over the daylight hours, as fasting progresses, blood sugar and tissue hydration decrease progressively causing limitations of anaerobic effort, endurance performance and muscle strength due to an increase of dipping into muscle glycogen and body fluid reserves. Some people are more sensitive to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level), which can affect mood, increased perception of effort and less focus on team work.

This can become a real challenge when athletes keeping Ramadan hours are taking part in competitive events especially those timed in the evening.

Research shows that training is not significantly disrupted by ‘early morning’ training where meals can provide the carbohydrate intake and fluid either in the meal before sleeping, around 4-6 hours as well as a top up of carbohydrates and fluids with electrolytes in the 60-90 minutes pre-dawn training as well as leaving time to rehydrate, restore muscle mass with protein and top up carbs in the hour after training but before dawn.

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As is recommended for normal pre endurance meal planning, starchy carbs are key to topping up glycogen stores and could be taken as the last meal before bed. Bread, rice, potato, oats, pulses and corn are starchy and referred to as glucose polymers. These will easily cross the intestinal membrane at a slower pace and can also remain in the intestine for a slow release even during exercise.

Other carbohydrate strategies include quick active carbs drinks, gels, sucrose sweets, dates, bananas, carbohydrate bars taken during exercise according to the length of time you are training. Under 90 minutes is more reliant on pre training carb loading, while anything over 90 minutes may require some top up strategies and usually will start in the first hour.

Fluid intake is enhanced by the addition of electrolytes and a low carb of around 4g/100ml. Your hydration needs depend on a number of things such as body size, sweat rate, humidity, temperature, and tend to fall somewhere in between 600-900ml per hour - minimum intake of about 125ml every 15 minutes. This can be a combination of water and sports drinks. Snacks can boost carbs and salt to meet needs.

Training in the evening, before breaking your fast, is more like training fasted and can have some benefits for weight management if required. One of the downsides of this is that depleted muscle glycogen stores may start to dip into using valuable protein from muscle as an energy fuel rather than just using fat. The intensity of your training will also steer this as stored fat can only be used exercising at lower intensities. If you find this time to be more convenient, keep your heart rate down to try and keep your fueling in the fat burning zone.

https://www.sported.ae/clinics/upandrunning/

Doha: The Qatar Football Association on Tuesday approved a major revamp of the domestic football structure, scrapping the Second Division League and Olympic League and introducing a new competition - Qatar Stars League 2 (QSL 2) - from the 2026/2027 season.

In a statement, the QFA Executive Committee confirmed the “cancellation of the Olympic League competition and the Second Division League competition for the upcoming 2026/2027 sports season.”

The newly-formed QSL 2 will feature Second Division clubs, the Qatar U-23 national team and selected ‘B’ teams from top-flight sides, subject to meeting participation criteria.

The federation said the league “includes the teams of the second division clubs, the under-23 national team, and the (B) team of some first division clubs that meet the conditions and criteria for participation… based on coordination meetings with the clubs.”

The move is aimed at strengthening the player development pathway and increasing competitiveness.

Separately, the QFA outlined revised foreign player regulations for the top tier, the Qatar Stars League.

Each First Division club will be allowed “a maximum of (5) foreign professional players + at least (2) talented players within the list of (11) players on the field at any time during the match.”

For the second tier under the new structure, clubs can field up to eight foreign professionals in a matchday XI.

Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi is one of the eleven nominees for the 2024 edition of the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize which rewards the best African player in Ligue 1.

As the only Moroccan among the contenders for this prize, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player is competing against Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Congolese Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille), Senegalese Lamine Camara (FC Metz), and Ivorian Wilfried Singo (AS Monaco) among others.

Three Moroccans have already received the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, including Sofiane Boufal in 2016, Younès Belhanda in 2012 and Marouane Chamakh in 2009.

The post Marc-Vivien Foé Prize: Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi Among Nominees appeared first on Morocco times TV.

Hot weather can make it difficult to maintain optimal hydration; dehydration is not healthy, but neither is overconsuming (overhydrating) fluids during exercise. Drinking too much water without electrolytes during exercise can cause (the sometimes fatal condition) hyponatremia. Hyponatremia literally 'low sodium' often known as water intoxication is the condition where your sodium levels are very low due to excessive sweating in addition to only replacing the lost fluids with water without replacing the lost electrolytes. Basically you have diluted your bodily fluids to a dangerous level.

One of the adaptations to training is a reduction in the amount of sodium lost in sweat. However, as sweat rates increase the sweat gland has less time to recover sodium so if you are sweating a lot more than usual you may need to increase consumption.

Getting hot and moderately dehydrated during some sessions can have beneficial effects. The body adapts by increasing plasma volume, this reduces haematocrit level and EPO is produced to bring the level back up. The net result is an increase in red cell volume. NB Chronic dehydration is not healthy and will have a negative impact on health, performance and adaptation;- ensure you rehydrate properly after exercise.

Hyperhydrating prior to tough sessions by drinking 400-800ml of strong electrolyte solution -double up on electrolyte fizz tabs could be a useful strategy and the same after exercise in addition to a good protein recovery drink. REMEMBER water alone will just increase urine volume after exercise, this is one situation where you really benefit from sodium.

During exercise, it is important to balance hydration and energy needs. If hydration needs are high and energy needs low then superhydration drink mix is optimised to deliver more hydration to the right body compartment.

For most sessions Training Mix can maintain energy levels without fear of compromising fat burning. The special slow-release sugar used in Training Mix has been shown to work well in hydration drinks (Amano, 2019), making it a good choice for most zwift sessions. OK, if you want to race for several hours it may be beneficial to switch to a regular energy drink like Energy Mix but for sessions less than 90 minutes Training Mix can be a great option.