Sports and Recreation

Qataris love sporting events. Football (soccer) is the national sport and is played with passion both in stadiums and on roadsides. There are a number of soccer clubs in Qatar that compete in a national league. These games are followed closely by the locals and you will often find the team celebrations after a crucial match carry on to the streets.

Racing is another passion with most nationals.  Apart from the Losail Circuit that hosts a leg of the Superbike world championships Qatar also has a drag racing track with events happening most weekends in the winter. Tennis is a close third on the favourites list and can also be seen and played at many venues around the country, including the January ATP Tournament at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex. 

Qatar also has a beautifully maintained 18-hole championship golf course, home to the Qatar Master's Tournament (held in March), complete with top instructors, driving ranges and a sports shop with reasonable rates.

There are also horse-riding courses and shows that exhibit the Emir's internationally recognized Arabian horses. For the aquatically minded, several clubs and hotels, particularly in Doha, offer awesome sailing (including an international regatta), jet skiing, scuba diving, and swimming options.  Qatar's extensive coastline and wind factor are also very conducive to adventure sports like kayaking, kite surfing and blokarting. If your on a beach in the early hours of the morning on a weekend your bound to spot a few sails about. 

Qualified coaches in various sporting activities are available, offering training sessions and lessons for both children and adults. The camel races and horse races are held in the cooler months.

For those who prefer participating rather than watching, there are many informal sporting clubs in the country, including hockey, rugby and basketball as well as athletics, bowling, bicycling, horse riding, golfing, martial arts and self-defense. Many middle and high schools in Doha also have both boys and girls competitive sports teams (volleyball, soccer, softball, swimming) that travel to other nations from time to time for weekend tournaments. Doha residents are welcome to attend the games and cheer on their favorite teams. In addition, the U.S. Embassy and military personnel stationed in Qatar form a softball league every winter, taking on all challengers.

There are great tennis, squash, and fitness facilities located at the major hotels, private clubs, and in living compounds.

Most of the private and hotel clubs offer additional services, such as indoor and/or outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzis, saunas, spa and massage areas, and steam rooms. Many private clubs offer single as well as family memberships at reasonable rates.

The government also brings in a number of international sporting events to the country like the World Gymnastics Championship (2010), the World  Indoor Athletic Championship(2010), the Asian Games (2006), World Wakeboard Championships and Arab Wakeboard Championship (2007) and the Asian Football Cup (2011).