Fast becoming one of the world’s leading places to enjoy sports, Qatar has invested US$2.8 billion in infrastructure over the last several years to support athletic competition.
 

Sports events not only gives an outstanding exposure to the world, as during the first ever Moto Grand Prix held during the night-time, but enables as well to spread strong Qatari values, such as willingness, pride, equity, open-mind and respect.
 

Qatar is also home to the Qatar Sports City - ASPIRE Zone, a premier complex for athletics, entertainment, recreation and wellness.
 

Qatar has a well-deserved reputation in horse and camel racing. Known globally for the high quality of its stunning Arabian thoroughbreds, the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club carries on this long and distinguished tradition with a commitment to the pure breeding of Arabian horses and the enjoyment and challenge of horse racing. Camel racing, historically known as the “sport of sheikhs”, continues today in the small town of Al Shahaniya, where Qatar’s main camel racetrack is located. Here, visitors are enticed with a rare opportunity to witness one of the more novel competitive events in the region.

Qataris are tremendous sports enthusiasts: the Qatari National League (football) is one of the best in the Middle East, and Qataris enjoy many spectator sports—from the PGA European Tour Qatar Masters to the ATP Qatar Open (tennis) to racing of all kinds, including motorcycle, auto, powerboat, horse and camel.
 

With numerous state-of-the-art facilities plus varied and striking topography, Qatar is a perfect place to engage in physical activity. Kilometres of beautiful coastline make watersports such as sailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, diving and water-skiing a pleasure.
 

For those looking for a different kind of adventure, the desert offers the opportunity to get out in the dunes to sand ski or sand board.
 

Golfers can challenge their game on the championship courses at the Doha Golf Club or the Mesaieed Golf Club. Those interested in racquet sports and other forms of exercise can find what they seek at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex, which boasts 17 courts, a swimming pool and a gymnasium.
 

Although no longer a primary source of employment, pearl diving is still practiced by amateurs, as pearl oysters remain available in abundance off Qatar’s shores.

 

Focus on 2006 Asian Games

In 2006, Doha hosted the15^th annual Asian Games, welcoming 10,000 athletes from 45 different nations, the first time every country from the Olympic Council of Asia took part in the games.

 

In 2007, Qatar was awarded the hosting rights for the 2011 Asian Cup, by the Asian Football Confederation.

 

ASPIRE Zone is  a 240 hectare property that houses international standard sport stadium, medical facilities, education services and sport academy, mosque, sports club, retail areas and parklands. Located approximately 8km from Doha’s Central Business District, the complex was designed for the 2006 Asian Games.

ASPIRE is also an academy for sports excellence, to discover and develop sports talents, transforming athletes in world-renowned champions. The future elite of sports benefits from the latest knowledge and technologies with state-of-the-art facilities, and renowned specialists in a dedicated Health Center.