17thAsian Club League Championship Begins in Qatar

~~Spectacular Lightshow and Traditional Cultural Display Mark Beginning of another Major Handball Event

Doha, Qatar: The 17th Asian ClubLeague Championship wasinaugurated in Doha, Qatar, with a spectacular lightshow and display of traditional Qatari culture that marked the opening ceremony on the first day of the tournament

The ceremony was launched by H.E. Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Minister of Youth and Sports who was joined by Sheikh Saud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary
General, Qatar Olympic Committee, Ahmed Al Shaabi, Vice-President, Qatar 2015 Organising Committee, Dr.ThaniAbdulrahman Al Kuwari, Director General, Qatar 2015 Organising Committee, Mohamad Jabor Al Mulla, Assistant Director General of Qatar 2015 Organising Committee and Director General of the 17thAsian Club League Championship,Bader Al Theyab, Vice-President of International Handball Federation on behalf of Asia and Treasurer of the Asian Handball Federation.

Ten clubs from six countries are participating inthe tournament, which runs from 29 November until 8 December, and is a qualification event for the 2015 IHF Super Globe. Three clubs from Qatar, two clubs from Kuwait and Iran, and one from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan are set to take part.

To celebrate the start of the contest and the opening of the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd, visitors and handball fans from across the region were treated to a laser light display and a traditional Ardha dance.

During the opening ceremony, a video presentation was also screened to the audience taking them through the building process and structural marvel of the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd whichis one of the primary venues for the Qatar 2015 24thMen's Handball World Championship in 2015. Hosting the 17thAsian Club League Championship matches will provide an important test of its world-class facilities.

As a tribute to Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya for his pioneering role in sports in Qatar, the newest handball competition venue has been named after him. It has a 4 star GSAS rating and can accommodate upto 7700 visitors, also it has been designed to host international championships for other sports such as volleyball, badminton, gymnastics and ice hockey.

Mohamad Jabor Al Mulla, Assistant Director General of Qatar 2015 Organising Committee and Director General of the 17th Asian Club League Championship said: “We are extremely pleased to open the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Sport Arena as a test venue for the 24th Men's Handball World Championship. The building of this venue along with the Lusail Multipurpose Hall and the Duhail Handball Sports Hall are milestone achievements in Qatar's sports legacy and will help the country become a pioneer to host international championships.”

Bader Al Theyab, Vice-President of International Handball Federation on behalf of Asia and Treasurer of the Asian Handball Federation said: “One of the main missions of the Asian Handball Federation is to bring countries together through the spirit of sport to help strengthen relations and facilitate better communication. We wish the country success for all its future sports endeavours.”

Ahmed Al Shaabi, Vice-President, Qatar 2015 Organising Committee,said: “We are grateful for the support provided by H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani that has helped to raise the profile of handball internationally and also demonstrate that Qatar is ready and confident to host sports events of a large scale.”

Visitors at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena were delighted by the atmosphere and impressive surroundings of the new stadium and witnessed four exciting matches on the first day of the tournament. Spectators got a chance to see AhliSedab Club (OMA) take on ManyaziummFerdows Club (IRI), Al Khalij Club (KSA) vs. Eljaish Sports Club (QAT), AlQurain Sporting Club (KUW) vs. Samenalhojaj (IRI) and Al-Salt Club (JOR) vs. Lekhwiya Sports Club (QAT).