IHF Super Globe Tournament Starts in Doha Today

Doha, August 27 (QNA) - The International Handball Federation (IHF) Super Globe, the premier tournament for the world's top club teams, opens here at the Al Gharaffa Arena today. Eight teams from five continents are in the fray for top honours. The tournament will conclude September 1. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani will inaugurate the 2012 IHF Super Globe, according to a Qatar Olympic Committee bulletin today. Lauding Qatar's sports organising expertise, IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa said, "Qatar showed their strength and perfection in organizing such a major event in 2010 and 2011. All participating teams and officials agreed on the highest international standard the Qatar Handball Association and the club Al-Sadd have reached. "I am sure that we all will once again experience the warm hospitality and the outstanding atmosphere in this handball-loving country. I hope these matches would give a strong impetus to club handball in Qatar. I wish all participants good luck and I m convinced that the tournament will be exciting and fair." Defending champion and EHF Champions League winner THW Kiel will face Mudhar (Saudi Arabia, Asian representative), Al-Sadd (Qatar, host) and Sydney (Australia/Oceania representative) in the preliminary round. The 2011 finalist and European representative Atletico Madrid (former name: Ciudad Real, winner in 2007 and 2010) will compete with Zamalek (Egypt/Africa), Metodista Sao Bernardo (Brazil/Pan-America) and El-Jaish (Qatar, wildcard participant). Like THW Kiel organizer Al-Sadd Club from Doha qualified directly. Qatari club El-Jaish has received a wildcard for this tournament. All other five participants had won their respective continental qualification rounds. This is the fourth occasion Qatar is hosting this prestigious tournament that showcases some of the best handball talent. Qatar had previously hosted this tournament in 2002, 2010 and 2011. Qatar National Bank (QNB) is the exclusive sponsor for the tournament, President of the Qatar Handball Association (QHA) Ahmad Mohamed Abdulrab Al Shaabi had announced this earlier at a press conference attended by QNB representative Salem Al Naimi, QNB representative and QHA General Secretary Mohamed Jabber Al Mulla. (QNA)