The Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani opened the 24th IHF Men's Handball World Championship - Qatar 2015 at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall on Thursday evening. The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir's Personal Representative Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani as well as other Qatari sheikhs and ministers, several heads of state and government, foreign diplomats, and senior sports officials.
In his inaugural speech the Amir wished the participants all success and a pleasant stay in Qatar, according to QNA news agency. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, chairman of the organizing committee of the IHF world handball championships, expressed gratitude to the Amir for patronizing the event and his unlimited support for sport in Qatar
The promotion of the sport movement comes within the pillars of Qatar Vision 2030, which is to mobilize all potentials to create sports giant monuments of global quality standards, and direct local institutions and companies to support the sport and the athletes, Sheikh Joaan said.
"The fruit of that is that the State of Qatar has become an international sports destination that brings the peoples from across the world in an atmosphere characterized by security, safety and competitive spirit of fraternity," Sheikh Joaan said. Sheikh Joaan noted that the proceeds from this tournament tickets sales will be allocated to support Education Above All's Global Programme - Educate A Child, out of concern of Qatar in support of charitable projects, particularly the childhood and education domains. "We all endeavour to host this prominent sports event with opening of the Lusail Multipurpose Hall to keep this event in unforgettable memory in the history of handball," he added.
Source: KUNA