Football

Doha, Qatar: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced ASPETAR, one of the world's foremost orthopaedic and sports medicine hospitals, as its official medical partner of all major AFC club competitions as well as several national team competitions through to June 2029. The AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: "The AFC's partnership with ASPETAR is more than a collaboration; it is a foundational pillar for the health and wellbeing of our athletes across the Continent." "ASPETAR has demonstrated an unwavering loyalty to Asian football, consistently standing by the AFC through every milestone and their journey with us-from becoming an accredited AFC Medical Centre of Excellence to their pivotal role in the success of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023-is a testament to their deep-rooted commitment to our Vision and Mission, " he said. "By renewing and expanding our relationship, we are establishing the highest global standards for medical care right here in Asia and we are delighted to formally welcome such a trusted and steadfast partner into our global family of supporters," Windsor added. ASPETAR Acting Director General Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi said: "ASPETAR's partnership with the AFC is founded on a long-standing and valued relationship built on mutual trust and shared goals. It reflects our joint commitment to advancing athlete health, promoting medical education, and strengthening research in football medicine." "ASPETAR is proud to continue working alongside the AFC to support the development of football medicine across Asia and beyond," Al Mawlawi added. Based in Doha, Qatar, ASPETAR is widely regarded as one of the leading sports medicine institutions in the world, providing elite-level care to professional athletes in various sporting disciplines, the AFC said in a statement. Through this partnership, ASPETAR will work alongside the AFC to support the continued growth of football across Asia, it added. This announcement is the natural culmination of a relationship built over many years of meaningful collaboration. ASPETAR served as the medical service provider for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, delivering expert athlete care at one of Asian football's most celebrated tournaments. As an accredited AFC Medical Centre of Excellence, ASPETAR also recently served as the Premier Partner of the 8th AFC Medical Conference held in Kuala Lumpur in July 2025.

Motosports

Doha, Qatar: Team Qatar claimed a landmark result at the Michelin 12H Spa-Francorchamps, topping the 992-AM class and finishing second overall in the 992 category during the latest round of the 24H Series at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium from April 16 to 19. The result was delivered by drivers Abdullah Al-Khelaifi, Ahmed Al-Emadi and Faisal Al-Yafei, who combined consistency and pace across the 12-hour endurance race to secure class victory and a podium finish overall. Team Qatar began the weekend strongly, qualifying second in the 992-AM class on Friday to position themselves early in the fight for top honours. Over the course of the race, the trio maintained a steady rhythm built on clean stints, strategic execution and reliable performance from their car, allowing them to convert their qualifying position into a class win. The team ultimately secured first place in the 992-AM category while also finishing second in the overall 992 standings, marking a double podium and a strong statement performance on the European endurance stage. The latest achievement reflects the continuous progress of motorsport in Qatar and highlights the team’s commitment to delivering outstanding results in international competitions, paving the way for further success in the upcoming rounds of the championship.

Basketball

Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan and Al Arabi secured their places in the Amir Cup basketball semi-finals after dominant quarterfinal wins at Al Gharafa Arena yesterday. Al Rayyan overpowered Al Gharafa 104–82 in a high-tempo contest marked by sharp offensive execution and quick transitions. They established control early with a 33–21 first quarter, briefly lost rhythm in the second, but regained momentum after the break to close out a comfortable victory. Malik Romero Carey (pictured) delivered a standout performance with 44 points, driving Al Rayyan’s offensive dominance, while Devin Morris Ebanks led Al Gharafa with 41 points in a high-scoring duel that highlighted individual brilliance on both sides. Al Arabi were equally impressive, defeating Qatar Club 104–73. After a controlled start, they pulled away before halftime and maintained superiority throughout, with strong defensive rotations limiting second-chance opportunities and forcing turnovers that widened the gap in the third quarter. Abdulrahman Yahya led Al Arabi with 20 points, while Joshua Morris Nicholas top-scored for Qatar Club with 31. Earlier quarter-final action saw Al Ahli defeat Al Wakrah 85–72, while Al Sadd beat Al Shamal 107–96 to complete the semifinal lineup. Semi-finals will see Al Ahli face Al Arabi, while Al Sadd meet Al Rayyan on May 4, with both matchups expected to draw intense competition.