Qatar in preparation of IJF Masters and 2023 Worlds

Top athletes are preparing the World Masters where the top 36 of the world per category are invited in Doha, Qatar from 11-13 January. It’s the first IJF World Tour event of the exciting year 2021. Qatar is a sportshub but also the host of the 2023 World Championships.

Qatar Judo Federation president Khalid Hamad al-Attiyah said in a statement that Qatar will provide the strictest of health protocols to the athletes and officials taking part in the prestigious event.

“We are quite aware that we need to put in a lot of effort to meet the specific needs and expectations of all our stakeholders. We are very pleased to welcome our best judokas and guests in our hospitable city of Doha,” al-Attiyah said.

“Doha has always been a lively and dynamic place to discover and stage high-performance events. We are very grateful to our highest authorities for all their continued backing,” he added.

The Doha Masters precedes the World Championships which Qatar will host in 2023.

Al-Attiyah thanked International Judo Federation president Marius Vizer for “his ongoing support and trust in allocating the organisation of the Doha Masters event and the 2023 World Championships” to Qatar.

“We remain convinced that the Masters will have a great impact on judo promotion and development in Qatar. We wish the participants all the best,” he added.

Meanwhile, Vizer praised Qatar’s enthusiasm and commitment to sports despite the complications stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As you all know, this is a complicated year. The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to modify established plans, for the good of judo and the world. Now here we are, willing to continue our lives and continue to promote our beloved sport, without anything or anyone preventing us,” he said.

“In that regard, I would like to thank the commitment of the Qatar Judo Federation, whose effort has been enormous, ensuring everything is ready on time. The Masters is therefore ready to begin!

The Doha Masters is an important qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games, with the crème de la crème of the World Judo Tour battling to earn the valuable points.

“It will happen in Doha, a place tied firmly to its history but that bets on the future, with its avant-garde architecture, its green spaces and its desire to be a hub of culture, sports and business. This is Doha!” said Vizer.