Celebrating 3 Inspirational Qatari Athletes in Honour of Qatar National Sports Day

In the recent GCC Games 2019 hosted by Kuwait, the Qatar national women's basketball team won the basketball finals against the United Arab Emirates to secure the gold medal and be crowned as the champion in the GCC Games 2019.

Not only is she a proficient player, Amal coaches and is proudly the first woman referrer in both the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the men’s basketball league of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF).

Amal credits her family for supporting her in the struggle to be accepted by the local community, and the larger sports world, as a woman in a Muslim society.

She also proudly shares that HRH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser has had a powerful impact on her. Amal heeds Sheikha Moza’s words that a woman can be a mother, sister, student, and athlete.

Sheikha Moza also inspired Amal to be a Sports Ambassador through which she can give back to the sport that she loves and support other women in achieving their goals.

She explains that when she was growing up, she loved to watch Muhammad Ali box and she believed that she had the grit and desire to follow in his enormous footsteps. Afaaf recounts the thrill of watching Muhammad Ali’s strength and his penetrating eye contact against opponents - this was her inspiration.

Afaaf is a firm believer in respect and discipline in boxing. She had to first focus on technique so that she could channel her passion and energy.

With no official boxing academies for women, Afaaf trained with men and had to battle to gain their respect. She truly believes that women can do strong things, they only need the opportunity to prove themselves.

With her amazing coach and mentor, Master Nasser, Afaaf channeled her passion to become an amazing Olympic athlete.

As a sports pioneer, Mariam was one of the first women to represent Qatar at the IAAF World Championships in Doha. In addition, Mariam secured the silver medal in the 400 meter hurdles at the Gulf Games in Kuwait last year. Most recently she has had the honor of carrying the flag for the Olympic Committee Qatar in the Flag Relay 2019.

Like Amal and Afaaf, Mariam’s family has been supportive of her sports journey.

Her father proudly accompanied her to her first tournament and remains by her side throughout her competitions. While her mother is also supportive, Mariam shares that her mother also cares for traditional notions of Mariam settling down to marry and having children.

With a successful career as an athlete and simultaneously completing a master’s degree, one wonders if there is time for marriage and children just yet.