Nine Qatari business leaders make it to Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 CEOs 2024
Forbes Middle East released its fourth annual list of the region’s top CEOs earlier this year, a list that recognises business leaders who have made a significant impact over the past year. The list features 100 CEOs from companies based in the MENA region, representing 19 nationalities. Here are the nine Qatar-based business leaders who have been recognised for their achievements and the success of the companies they lead. 04 HE Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs As Deputy Chairman, President and CEO of QatarEnergy – roles that he took on in 2014, HE Al Kaabi became the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Deputy Chairman of QatarEnergy in 2018. In May 2024, QatarEnergy finalised a US$6 billion agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) to build 18 state-of-the-art QC-Max LNG vessels. Prior to that, In February 2024, QatarEnergy announced the ‘North Field West’ project, aiming to boost Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 142 million tonnes annually by 2030, an 85 percent increase from current levels. 10 Nasser Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa As Group CEO of Qatar National Bank – Al-Khalifa joined in 1996 and assumed his current role in November 2018. In 2023, QNB’s assets increased by 4 percent to US$338.2 billion, and net profit rose by 8 percent to US$4.3 billion. In May 2024, QNB extended its partnership with Ooredoo Fintech to develop fintech services and digital innovation in Oman. 36 Aziz Althuman Fakhroo The Group CEO & Managing Director of Ooredoo Group since November 2020, Fakhroo had been overseeing operations across 10 countries in the MENA and Southeast Asia. In June 2024, Ooredoo announced a partnership with NVIDIA to tap into the growing demand for generative AI, accelerated computing, and hyperconnectivity. In the first quarter of 2024, the group reported revenues of US$1.6 billion and total assets of US$15.6 billion. 59 Bassel Gamal As Group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank, Gamal has led QIB since 2013. In 2023, the bank reported US$52 billion in assets, US$3.1 billion in revenues, and US$1.2 billion in net profits, up 6.6 percent from 2022. In November 2023, QIB issued a US$500 million five-year sukuk. Gamal also chairs QIB-UK and sits on the board of QInvest. 64 Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani The Group CEO of Doha Bank, Sheikh Abdulrahman took on his current role in October 2023. As of June 2024, Doha Bank operated 17 branches in Qatar, four overseas branches in the UAE, Kuwait, and India, and representative offices in the UK, Singapore, Turkiye, China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Nepal. In the first half of 2024, it reported US$118.8 million in net profits and US$29.1 billion in assets. In May 2024, the bank launched a new mobile banking app, now handling nearly 89 percent of transactions. 70 Abdullah Al Sulaiti Al Sulaiti joined Nakilat in 2011 and became CEO in 2013. Nakilat operates one of the world’s largest LNG fleets, with 69 LNG carriers, four very large LPG carriers, and a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). The company has 27 new LNG carriers on order, plus nine QC-MAX carriers and four LPG/Ammonia carriers. In March 2024, Nakilat signed a long-term charter agreement with QatarEnergy for 25 LNG vessels. Al Sulaiti also chairs Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions and Qatar Fabrication Company, and is a board member of Gulf Drilling International. 78 Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida Al Jaida took on his role in June 2015. In the first half of 2024, QFC registered 505 new companies, bringing its total to over 2,200. QFC also launched Qatar’s first Digital Assets Lab, focusing on Digital Ledger Technology solutions. Al Jaida serves on the boards of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers, Qatar Finance and Business Academy, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Qatar Stock Exchange, and Sidra Medicine. 80 Tarek El Sayed El Sayed has been CEO and managing director of Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company, a subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding, since 2017. ARTIC’s portfolio includes over 35 hotels and projects across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. In November 2023, ARTIC signed a franchise agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts to rebrand its Times Square, New York, hotel as Crowne Plaza. El Sayed previously served as group CFO for Al Faisal Holding. He recently claimed the 26th spot in Forbes ME’s 2024 ‘Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders’. 82 Salem Al Mannai Al Mannai joined QIC Group in 2001 and became group CEO in 2020. In 2023, the group operated in 11 countries, generating $2 billion in revenue and a net profit of $169 million, recovering from a $325 million loss in 2022. Al Mannai also chairs the MENA Insurtech Association and played a key role in launching Qatar’s Third Financial Sector Strategy in 2023 with Qatar Central Bank, aiming to position Qatar as an innovative financial hub.
QIA’s US$1 billion investment in VC funds upped Qatar as a startup hub
Dima Wahbeh, deputy country manager, Qatar at Web Summit, in conversation with Aparajita Mukherjee details what the maiden edition achieved for the venture capital market, analysing what’s up the sleeve of Web Summit in 2025 especially in the realm of policy making. “For the second year, many of the biggest wealth funds and VCs in the world will be at Web Summit Qatar to connect with 15,000 attendees, 1,000 startups, 400 investors and global leaders in Doha.” In its inaugural year, Web Summit Qatar gathered the largest and most globally diverse cohort of startups to ever gather in the region – more than 1,000 startups from 80 countries – to connect with a new generation of investors and partners hailing from countries such as Qatar, the US, Egypt, Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, the UK, India, and beyond, discloses Dima Wahbeh, deputy country manager, Qatar at Web Summit. Naming the prominent names at the last edition of Web Summit Qatar 2024, Wahbeh says, with unbeatable confidence, “There were Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Tik Tok, Snap, Microsoft, AWS, Meta, and more that took part: and we expect to see the same calibre of international tech companies, including Open AI, Amazon and Microsoft – as well as thousands of young promising entrepreneurs from around the world – join us in Doha in February 2025.” Many of these startups from Web Summit Qatar 2024 have received funding off the back of connections made at Web Summit Qatar, according to Wahbeh. According to Crunchbase, a cumulative $243m+ has been raised by Blend, Colendi, OTO, YoLa Fresh, Kebotix, Chowdeck, Intron Health, PairedWorld, ORA Technologies, and KalPay. Web Summit Qatar offers an incredible platform to startups, and we are excited to see the next generation of startups join us in Doha again next February, she says. For the second year, many of the biggest wealth funds and VCs in the world will be at Web Summit Qatar to connect with 15,000 attendees, 1,000 startups, 400 investors and global leaders in Doha. Increasingly, some of the most active players in the technology industry are sovereign wealth funds, the most active of which are in the Middle East, and all of them will be at Web Summit Qatar 2025. “So, if you’re a fast-growing company thinking about your next funding round, a reasonable place to spend a day or two is Web Summit Qatar,” discloses Wahbeh, adding, “We recently announced our first 25 speakers for Web Summit Qatar 2025 and will be announcing more shortly. We look forward to sharing more details about Web Summit Qatar in the weeks ahead.” What transpired at Web Summit 2024 Discussing the details of what impact the maiden edition of Web Summit 2024 could achieve, Wahbeh says that the team were delighted to see many impactful events take place at Web Summit Qatar 2024 showcasing the potential of the country’s startup ecosystem. She adds, “On Opening Night at Web Summit Qatar 2024, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, announced that the QIA would be investing US$1 billion in venture capital funds to support entrepreneurs and startups in Qatar. This announcement demonstrated Qatar’s dedication to becoming an attractive destination for startups to establish themselves and grow, and cements Qatar’s status as a global startup hub.” Wahbeh informs that 24 memoranda of understanding were signed at Web Summit Qatar 2024: and the event saw the successful registration of more than 200 companies through the Startup Qatar initiative. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology also launched the Digital Agenda 2030 live on stage, outlining a roadmap for a knowledge-based economy in Qatar, she discloses. Analysing the impact of these measures, Wahbeh says, “The announcements and initiatives have had a hugely positive impact on the Qatar startup ecosystem, and we believe that this will continue to grow in the years ahead and during Web Summit Qatar’s tenure in Doha.” In your experience of holding such summits all over, do policy changes happen as a result of holding such events? Is there some monitoring mechanism that Web Summit have? In Wahbeh’s opinion, host cities play a crucial role in Web Summit events, collaborating closely with organisers to enhance the experience for attendees and bolster the city’s positioning as a global startup hub. “Naturally we work with host cities to assess that impact, and demonstrate the success we can help deliver.” She goes on to cite the example of Lisbon’s, adding that its position as a global innovation hub has grown significantly since it began hosting Web Summit, with Web Summit helping to attract investment and connect Portugal to international markets. Inward investment in Portugal has soared over the past decade: Web Summit partners that have opened offices in Portugal include Google, BMW, Amazon, Daimler, Huawei and Cloudflare. “There are now 4,073 startups in Portugal, up from 821 startups in 2016, when the first Web Summit Lisbon took place – an increase of 496% over this period. The number of unicorns in Portugal has grown from 1 to 7 between 2016 and 2022: all have attended Web Summit. Additionally, the economic impact Web Summit has had in Lisbon has been significant, with the data showing Web Summit generating more than €200 million worth of economic activity the week of the event,” discloses Wahbeh, concluding that host cities are motivated to host events like Web Summit to position themselves as key players in the global tech community, ultimately driving local economic growth and innovation. Impact on the economic front Talking us through some of the highlights of the impact of the Summit on the Qatar economy, Wahbeh says that hosting a Web Summit event has a significant impact on the local economy, bringing attendees from across the world to a host city for a number of days. “For Web Summit Qatar 2024, over 15,000 attendees came to Doha, booking over 38,000 nights in Doha hotels, and 19,000 flight segments. The average stay in Doha for an attendee
Sidra Medicine launches Qatar’s first cord blood bank
Sidra Medicine has recently launched the country’s first cord-blood banking service which will offer families a unique opportunity to preserve families’ newborns’ stem cells in Qatar, for potential future medical needs. This has been under a partnership with CellSave Arabia, a leading name in the field of biotechnology research. Cord blood banking is the process of collecting and storing the blood from a newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta after birth. The collection is painless, non-invasive, and risk-free for the mother and baby. Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which have the potential to treat various medical conditions, including certain cancers, blood disorders, and immune system diseases. Professor Johnny Awwad, chair of women’s services at Sidra Medicine said: “As the only facility in Qatar providing local cord blood storage, Sidra Medicine offers an unparalleled advantage by keeping the samples in the country. This ensures their optimal quality and immediate access when needed most, compared to having them shipped from abroad. Cord blood is increasingly being stored by parents everywhere, who are seeking to preserve their child’s stem cells as they can be crucial for their child or their sibling/s in the future. Our commitment to the latest technology and international standards further guarantees the utmost reliability and peace of mind for families in Qatar.” All the cord blood samples will be sent to Sidra Medicine’s Cord Blood Bank in its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, where cryogenic freezing will allow them to be stored securely for over 30 years. To expand its reach to other families in Qatar, Sidra Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CellSave Arabia, and the services are available to any family in the country choosing the joint Sidra Medicine and CellSave Arabia service as their stem cell storage provider regardless of whichever hospital their baby is born in. Alia Abdel-Razeq, COO of CellSave Arabia said at the MoU signing ceremony with Sidra Medicine: “Partnering with Sidra Medicine marks a pivotal step in our commitment to healthcare innovation in Qatar. By utilizing Sidra Medicine’s exceptional facilities and expertise, we can significantly elevate our service offerings, ensuring that families in Qatar have access to vital stem cell banking services that support their future health needs.”
Ryoko, a pocket-size wireless modem
Ryoko is a game-changer for anyone needing reliable internet on the go. This compact, pocket-sized wireless modem creates a personal Wi-Fi network using 4G LTE, ensuring a stable and fast connection wherever you are. It’s especially ideal for travellers, remote workers, or those weary of unreliable public Wi-Fi in cafés or hotels. The device is incredibly easy to use—just turn it on, and you’re connected with no complicated setup or contracts. Its small size makes it convenient to carry easily into a pocket. The battery lasts up to 15 hours, making it perfect for long days away from home. It supports up to 10 devices simultaneously, allowing multiple people to share the connection, making it an excellent choice for families or small teams. With speeds up to 150 Mbps, users can stream HD content, download files quickly, and even make Skype calls without interruption. Ryoko eliminates high roaming charges and the security risks of public Wi-Fi. Whether in a remote location or needing a reliable internet connection at home, Ryoko ensures you’re always connected, secure, and productive. It’s a must-have for anyone on the move. To buy online, visit Ryoko Router.
From a board role to a CEO: Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch’s seemingly effortless transition
Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO, Sidra Medicine is no stranger to the world of decision-making while being a medical professional. In a candid conversation, Dr Tinubu-Karch talks about the transition to a CEO and the values it demanded inculcated in her, apart from the role technology plays in diagnostics today. “Technology is the cornerstone of our ability to expand and enhance our clinical services, ensuring we provide exceptional care for women and children.“ “Stepping from the boardroom into the CEO role has been an incredible journey. While my board role focused on strategic oversight and high-level decisions, my current position has immersed me in the daily operations of Sidra Medicine. This deeper involvement has provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities we face, which allows me to ensure our teams have the necessary resources to excel in patient care, research, and education,” says Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO, Sidra Medicine. One of the biggest shifts for Dr Tinubu-Karch has been getting to know the people on a deeper level. Witnessing their commitment firsthand is truly inspiring and reinforces her responsibility to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, according to Dr Tinubu-Karch, who actively seeks input from diverse perspectives within the organisation, believing as she does that this collective wisdom leads to more informed and effective decision-making. “Healthcare is a dynamic field. As CEO, I need to make sure that we as an institution are agile and adaptable. This means being committed to nurturing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By embracing change and fostering a growth mindset, we can ensure that Sidra Medicine remains at the forefront of women’s and children’s healthcare,” informs Dr Tinubu-Karch. On the role that technology plays in advancing clinical care at Sidra Medicine, Dr Tinubu-Karch is forceful about Sidra Medicine’s commitment to embracing the latest technological advancements based as it is on the belief that advanced technology is essential for the institution to remain a leader in patient care, adding, “Technology is the cornerstone of our ability to expand and enhance our clinical services, ensuring we provide exceptional care for women and children.” Dr Tinubu-Karch adds that Sidra Medicine has become a regional pioneer in gene therapy, harnessing the power of technology to revolutionise treatment options for genetic diseases. Our administration of Elevidys for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and our unique position as the sole provider of gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Qatar exemplify this commitment. How has Dr Tinubu-Karch’s background in geriatric medicine shaped your approach to healthcare leadership? Dr Tinubu-Karch informs that her background in geriatric medicine has profoundly influenced her approach to healthcare leadership. She details, “In geriatrics, you learn to consider not only the immediate medical issues but also the broader context of a patient’s life – how their environment, family support, mental well-being, and social circumstances all influence their health. This perspective is essential for providing compassionate, effective care, and it informs how I lead a multidisciplinary team, with a collaborative agenda at a healthcare institution like Sidra Medicine.” Geriatric medicine, Dr Tinubu-Karch adds, emphasises long-term health and quality of life, not just treating immediate symptoms. “This philosophy is central to Sidra Medicine’s approach. We’re not only focused on acute interventions but also on providing sustainable, comprehensive care that supports the overall well-being of our patients and their families. My background has instilled in me a deep respect for the continuity of care, which we strive to deliver at every stage of a patient’s journey here,” says Dr Tinubu-Karch. Innovations in healthcare At Sidra Medicine, innovation is at the heart of our mission to provide exceptional care for children and women. Dr Tinubu-Karch talks about several ways in which Sidra Medicine is constantly striving to achieve new milestones and push the boundaries of healthcare through several key initiatives. One key area is our Clinical Trials Program, which focuses on trials directly benefiting children in the Arab region, informs Dr Tinubu-Karch. The trials could offer children the chance to receive beneficial treatment whether it is a new drug, therapy, device or procedure before it becomes widely available, she says, adding, “Our programme addresses the historical lack of research for the Arab population, enabling us to develop personalised and effective treatments.” In tandem, Sidra Medicine has also established the first pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) programme in Qatar, in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Additionally, our precision medicine initiatives leverage genomic data to personalise care plans, using advanced technologies such as Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to identify disease-linked genetic variations and Zebrafish Functional Genomics Facility for rapid gene mutation identification. We are strategically integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our operations to empower our patients and optimise our workflow. Global healthcare trends in women’s and children’s health
Pre-orders Open for HUAWEI Mate X6 with Exclusive Early Bird Offers
Huawei announced the opening of pre-orders for the highly anticipated HUAWEI Mate X6 in Estate of Qatar. This latest generation foldable flagship brings significant upgrades in durability, camera performance, display technology, and multitasking, setting a new benchmark in the industry. Right now, valued consumers can reserve their HUAWEI Mate X6 through Huawei’s official stores in Qatar. Pre-orders are available at 7199 QR and come in two stunning colors: Nebula Grey and Nebula Red. Early adopters will enjoy exclusive gifts worth up 2417 QR (Watch GT4 as a gift + HUAWEI Care + and one Work Gift Box) The HUAWEI Mate X6 is meticulously engineered for durability without compromising on style. It offers a large screen experience in a compact form factor perfect for everyday use. The phone features 2nd Gen Kunlun Glass on the exterior screen, making it 25 times more drop-resistant, while the interior display is reinforced with a carbon fibre plate. An aerospace-grade aluminium frame provides a 37% increase in material resistance compared to previous models, complemented by the new advanced multi-dimensional hinge. The HUAWEI Mate X6 introduces the Ultra Chroma Camera, utilising 1.50 million spectral channels to achieve 120% improved colour accuracy. Whether capturing the human skin tones or the vibrant shades of red, the Mate X6 ensures images are true to life. The 50MP primary camera features a ten-size adjustable physical aperture, offering unparalleled control over depth of field and light intake. You can experience seamless multitasking with the Mate X6 with up to three apps to run simultaneously in an expanded view with effortless swipe navigation. The dual OLED displays, 6.45-inch exterior and 7.93-inch interior screens deliver exceptional colour accuracy and clarity. Adaptive high refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz provide smooth visuals while optimising energy consumption. The phone has a refreshingly stunning design inspired by the celestial elegance of star orbits. The HUAWEI Mate X6 in Nebula Grey edition features a Micro-Nano 3D Topography finish crafted from Vegan Fiber. This material is a fusion of aerospace-grade S-grade glass fibre and high-performance bulletproof vest material, achieving an unprecedented balance between lightweight strength and exceptional durability. It is also available in two ultra-thin soft-touch leather options, Nebula Red and Black. Visit HUAWEI Official stores in Doha festival City, Palace Vendome mall, to secure your pre-order today and take advantage of exclusive offers.
Real Madrid big winners at Globe Soccer Dubai Awards as Vinicius Jr, Ancelotti and Perez are all recognised; Ronaldo bags two accolades
Vinicius Jr wins Best Men’s Player and Best Forward after year to remember on glittering evening at Atlantis, The Palm Ronaldo, winner of two awards, including Top Goalscorer of All Time, joined Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on stage as part of 19th Dubai International Sports Conference Juventus legend Alessandro del Piero and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez receive Special Career Awards, while Neymar, Ferdinand and Courtois all took to the stage to receive Player Career Awards Dubai, UAE – December 27, 2024: Dubai: Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr added to his stellar personal trophy collection in Dubai on Friday night, with Jude Bellingham and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo the other big winners at the 2024 Beyond Globe Soccer Dubai Awards, held in conjunction with the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference, in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, inside the five-star Atlantis, The Palm. Vinicius Jr went home with the Best Men’s Player and Best Forward awards after enjoying the best goalscoring season of his career in 2023/2024, finishing with 24 goals and contributing nine assists in 39 matches for Real Madrid. At 23 years and 325 days, the Brazilian also broke Lionel Messi’s record as the youngest player to score in multiple Champions League finals, leading the Spaniards to their 15th European title. “It was such a faraway dream that it seemed impossible for me,” said Vinicius Jr. “I was just a little kid who used to play barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo. I grew up in a poor place, surrounded by crime, so to be here is something very important to me because I’m not only representing Brazil but all the kids out there with the same dream.” Bellingham, meanwhile, took home the Best Midfielder and Maradona Award following an outstanding calendar year, which saw the 21-year-old lift the LaLiga title and maiden Champions League in his first season at Los Blancos, as well as the Supercopa de Espana and UEFA Super Cup. The Birmingham City prodigy also helped England reach the final of the European Championship, contributing with some key goals along the way. “Thank you to Globe Soccer for inviting me to this awards ceremony,” added Bellingham. “It’s amazing to see so many great players and legends, and it’s a real privilege to win a trophy here tonight as well. It wouldn’t be possible without my teammates, my staff, and most importantly, my family. My mum, who is here tonight, is the biggest motivation in my life.” Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo clinched the Best Middle East Player for a second successive year, as well as being awarded the prestigious Top Goalscorer of All Time accolade, with the legendary forward currently standing on 917 career goals following his most recent strike against Al-Ittihad. “I am always happy to be here because I think you do it as a fantastic gala. You can see all the champions here. I think it’s fantastic. Congratulations to all,” said Ronaldo. “In terms of the trophy, I have to say thank you to my teammates, my team. In terms of individual, I did very well, but for me, it’s not enough. My main goal is to win a trophy for Al Nassr.” One of the world’s leading celebrations of international football excellence, the 15th edition of the star-studded awards took place on Palm Jumeirah, one of the world’s largest man-made islands, in association with Beyond Developments, Dubai’s latest premium real estate brand. As well as several Real Madrid representatives and Ronaldo, this year’s event attracted a full catalogue of football luminaries of past and present, including Brazil star Neymar, Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal, former England manager Fabio Capello, and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. The Beyond Globe Soccer Dubai Awards captured global attention, with more than 100 million votes cast by fans from more than 200 countries and territories, eclipsing the previous record of 70 million. Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancellotti won Best Coach for the second time in three years, as FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati retained the Best Women’s Player award. Yamal, meanwhile, was duly recognised as Emerging Player. Earlier in the evening, Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois joined Ronaldo on stage to discuss “Talented Football” as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference. “In the beginning, when I arrived at Manchester United, I was a very skillful player, dribbling a lot, and I realized that it was good for the show, but football is more than that,” Ronaldo commented. “When you have a dream to achieve big things, you need to be more effective, and this is what I planned to do. I started to see examples there in the club, like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. And I took some good ideas. “And as I say all the time, of course, you’re never going to be a football player if you only have talent. Talent is the main word to achieve success. But the other things, which I consider more important, are the ethics of work. I dedicated all my life to that because I know I can improve year by year.” Courtois, meanwhile, said his early career setbacks were the catalyst to him reaching the top level. “For me as a goalkeeper, sometimes it’s harder because a striker can maybe miss two chances and then score a hat-trick, and it’s amazing,” he said. “I can miss two goals that are my fault, and you can mentally drop. I think from an early age, by setbacks I had when I was 14 or 15, when people were doubting me, I created a strong mentality, a strong belief in myself, and knowing that I want to be the best.” Other winners on the night included Al Hilal’s Jorge Jesus, who was awarded Best Middle East Coach; while Al Ain received Best Middle East Club and FC Barcelona were crowned Best Women’s Club once more. “The 19th Dubai International Sports Conference and 15th Globe Soccer Dubai Awards will go down as one of the most
Qatar’s Nuha Khogali qualifies in Dubai for the inaugural Formula Woman Global Nations Cup qualifying event
Nuha Khogali proved she was on the pace to comfortably qualify at the Dubai Autodrome race circuit for next May’s FW Nations Cup finale. December 17th, 2024 – Dubai, UAE: Qatar racing driver Nuha Khogali successfully made it through the Formula Woman’s Nations Cup Qualifiers at the Dubai Autodrome, after three closely fought qualifying sessions in December. On a unique day for motorsport, we witnessed race action in the form of a time trial set-up at the Dubai Autodrome circuit for some of the best female racing drivers from across the globe. Nuha produced an impressive overall performance throughout the adrenalin sapping day, to comfortably move on to the highly anticipated Formula Woman Global Nations Cup main finale, scheduled to take place in Dubai next May. The qualifying event was made up of 38 selected drivers from almost 30 separate countries, which is a hugely impressive global cross section, which is down to the Formula Woman organisation and their extraordinary success of sourcing drivers who would most likely have never had the opportunity for competing at such a high level. Formula Woman Founder and CEO, Graeme Glew, reflected on the event, saying: “Congratulations to Nuha on getting through. She drove sensibly in all three qualifying sessions, and keeping a clear head helped her overall performance. With a bit more practice between now and May, she will undoubtedly be even quicker at the final next year. “There was some very impressive driving on show throughout the day and all the qualifiers will be delighted that they have made it through to Formula Woman Nations Cup. “There is so much talent within Formula Woman, and we are extremely proud to have hosted such a successful event, here in Dubai. However, nothing stands still and we have already switched our focus to the main event when we return in May next year. Dubai is an inspiring and exciting location for motorsport, and we are committed to continuing to grow the Formula Woman brand on a global level while using the impressive facilities available to us here.” Nuha was clearly thrilled with her result and excited about the future, especially the FW Nations Cup finale in May next year. She said, “It feels like an accomplishment and a relief at the same time. The pressure has dropped now, and I am ready to officially start training for the FW Nation’s Cup final in May next year. “Track time and practice sessions in the Radical racing car helped me qualify and the more I got settled into the car, the faster I became. The next few steps for me over the coming months are training and preparations. I aim to compete in local/regional races including the upcoming MENA karting Nations Cup, which is a major event here in the UAE, as well as do more testing of course. “FW has offered me and indeed all my fellow competitors the opportunity to showcase our skills, as well as the coaching and training time we need to succeed in motorsports and I will always be grateful to them for this. “My ultimate goal is to compete at the highest levels of motorsport, whether it’s Formula 1, Le Mans, or both. I think all people in sport must set their ambitions high and there is nothing wrong with that.” The Formula Woman Nations Cup will mark a truly special event in motorsport with its all-female grid and format. More details about the Dubai event and other Formula Woman information will be announced soon.
Premier Padel unveils 2025 Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour calendar
LONDON, DOHA – 23 December 2024 – Premier Padel, the leading official professional padel tour worldwide, today announced its eagerly anticipated 2025 calendar – with 24 tournaments across 16 countries, following its successful first season as a global tour. The 2025 season will feature at least 7 new locations including Miami, Buenos Aires, Cancun and Germany for the first time – significant additions across both the North and South American regions and Europe. The Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour will start on 10 February 2025 – opening with the Riyadh Season P1.There will be two major new highlights in the 2025 calendar in March, with the tour travelling for inaugural tournaments in Miami and Cancun –held at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Cancun – before returning to Chile for a second time. Following a short return to Europe for tournaments in Belgium and the heartlands in Spain, the tour will make its way to Paraguay in May before debuting in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires. Europe will host several tournaments between June and October – including a mid-season break scheduled in August – with a return to several recognised countries and locations including Italy (Rome, Milano), Spain (Valladolid, Malaga, Madrid), France (Bordeaux, Paris*) and The Netherlands (Rotterdam). The European leg will also include the first tournament in Germany. The Tour will then return to the Middle East for tournaments in Egypt (NewGiza) and the UAE (Dubai) with the regular season concluding with the Mexico Major at the end of November. The International Padel Federation (FIP) will host its first edition of the FIP Intercontinental Cup in August, the equivalent of the Ryder and Laver Cup – ahead of the planned mid-season break – and FIP World Cup Pairs tournament in November. In terms of the four Majors, the 2025 season will see the world’s best players return to Qatar (14-19 April) and Italy (9-15 June) for two Major tournaments in the first half of the year, with France (8-14 September) and Mexico (24-30 November) hosting the remaining Major tournaments. The Qatar Airways Premier Padel Finals will return to Barcelona in 2025 for its second edition from 8-14 December. The top 16 ranked players in the FIP Race Ranking – in both the men’s and women’s competitions – will qualify for the Premier Padel season finale. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Premier Padel, said: “We are very proud to announce Premier Padel’s fantastic 2025 calendar, as we continue to propel the sport to new frontiers and take all aspects of the professional tour to the highest level. The 2025 calendar – developed in partnership with players and partners – shows our clear commitment to accelerate the global growth of padel and provide new and existing fans and players with an incredible experience of the Tour for many years.” Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Vice Chairman of Premier Padel, said:“This is another thrilling chapter for FIP and Premier Padel and the sport of padel as a whole. Our 2025 calendar brings professional padel to new and established markets and a more efficient schedule for players and fans. This magnificent calendar supports the exciting global growth of padel as one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing sports and is another milestone in our bid for Olympic inclusion.”
Gearing up for greatness: Premier Padel x Bullpadel launch first official and exclusive collection
● Exclusive Premier Padel x Bullpadel apparel collection on sale from 10 December● Official footwear, rackets, bags and accessories to be launched in early 2025● Qatar Airways Premier Padel Finals rackets range launched on 12 December Doha, London, Madrid, – 10 December 2024 – Premier Padel, the leading official professional padel tour worldwide, and Bullpadel, a leading brand in padel sportswear and equipment, have launched its first official and exclusive apparel collection which will redefine excellence for padel fans all over the world. The exclusive Bullpadel x Premier Padel collection aims to elevate the game both on and off the court – designed to blend elegance and style with technical precision and peak performance across its entire range. Combining a sleek palette of Carbon Black, Vigoré Stone Gray, and Classic White, the collection delivers a polished and modern look – whilst being tailored to offer unparalleled comfort, versatility and elegance across both the men’s and women’s range. Players and fans can choose their own unique and stand out combinations – crafting the ultimate on-court performance or a timeless off-court look. Whether a combination of white performance shirt and breathable shorts for maximum mobility or a winter-ready jacket styled with a clean black cap for the perfect balance of casual and chic – the collection offers fans the freedom to craft their unique Premier Padel style. Rob Mitchell, Commercial Director, Premier Padel said: “This first official and exclusive collection is more than just apparel – we are providing our fans with an unparalleled experience to create a strong connection and identity with Premier Padel. Designed for every player – from seasoned champions to those just discovering the sport – this collection blends elite performance whilst celebrating every individual’s padel journey.” Alfredo Peñalver, CEO, Bullpadel said: “Our new Premier Padel collection brings refined style with a performance edge. We are thrilled to unveil this exclusive collection which been born from the combination between Premier Padel and our brand. This partnership represents a milestone in the world of padel – combining innovation, performance, and style – to bring players a unique experience on and off the court.” The Bullpadel x Premier Padel apparel collection will be available on Bullpadel’s official website and selected retail outlets starting from 10 December 2024. Images and videos from the collection are available for download here Ahead of the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Finals in Barcelona – as part of its tour finals collection – Bullpadel and Premier Padel will be launching its finals racket range on 12 December for fans to purchase across the same channels.
