Official website of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006

[Rind Baba]

Official website of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006

http://www.dohaasiangames.org/

[Rind Baba]

Last day on the road

It’s coming home, it’s coming home. The 15th Asian Games Flame is coming home to Qatar tomorrow afternoon, marking the end of the international leg across 15 countries and regions, an odyssey which began in Doha on 10 October.

But, first, the second and last phase of the Flame’s final stopover in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, took place today, 24 November.

HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador, started today’s proceedings from Bahrain Gate. There he handed the Flame to the first Torchbearer of the day, Ali Nabhan, a worker from the Ministry of Interior; three other ministry colleagues of his also took their turn with the Flame on the day’s 46km journey.

VIP Torchbearers on the route, held in fine weather with clear blue skies, included Sheikh Issa Bin Rashid Al Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee; Brigadier Sheikh Hamid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Commander of the Bahraini Air Force; Ali Rashid Al Naimi, a member of the Royal Guard, and Khalifa Ali, a member of the National Guard.

The star of the day, however, was Orry, the Arabian oryx and the mascot of the Doha Asian Games. Although he only managed a short run of about a 500m with the Torch, he was heartily cheered by both young and old in the large crowds following the Relay; indeed, the very-much-in-demand Orry virtually brought the traffic to a complete standstill.

From the world of sport, two shooters, both of whom will be competing in the Asian Games – Salman Zaman and Raqia Mohammed – also took to the Manama streets for their respective stints.

Another Bahraini sporting name from the past that carried the Flame was former racing driver Abdul Rahman Khuloom. Sitting behind the wheel of a big Indycar, he drove up to the last two Torchbearers of the day: HE Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and his brother, HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the sons of the Bahraini monarch, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa.

From motor power to horse power. The King’s sons opted for the latter mode of transport, when they each mounted horses - with another 20 following them – then rode through the desert before reaching the Endurance and Equestrian Village. There, HE Sheikh Joaan lit the Cauldron – and the celebrations began.

And so, tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, 25 November, thousands of people will be at Al Shamel Port in the north of the country, to welcome HE Sheikh Joaan back home with the Flame – and the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay entourage, including Orry – and the beginning of seven exciting days on the streets in Qatar.

Let the fun, and the party, begin…

Torch relay Pictures


To Watch Torch Relay Video click the link
http://www.dohaasiangames.org/gis/menuroot/torchrelay/thejourney/torchvideos.aspx?id=102

[Rind Baba]

One day, 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds, however you look at it the sands in the hourglass are running out as we count down the last hours before the start of the 15th Asian Games.

The 15th Asian Games Torch Relay begins its last full day before the Doha 2006 Flame and the symbolic torch that carries it arrive at Khalifa Stadium, there to perform the vital task of igniting the Cauldron, the action that declares these Games open.

Final rehearsals for the spectacular Opening Ceremony have been carried out.

Seven thousand dancers, singers, acrobats and aerialists are word, note and inch-perfect in their roles.

Ten thousand and more athletes and officials have brushed up their team uniforms, practiced their marching and flag carrying roles, and are raring to go.

Sixteen thousand volunteers are waiting to fulfil the tasks allotted to them.

But first they, like hundreds of thousands, millions, billions of others, wait for the first bars of music that will announce the Opening Ceremony.

All over Doha, the Look of the Games has taken hold. Thousands of flags, what seems like scores of kilometres of banners at roadsides and roundabouts, huge hoardings at strategic junctions, buses bedecked with Asian Games logos scurrying everywhere carrying athletes on training missions; everywhere you turn you see the full impact of the Games.

On the Corniche, that usually peaceful promenade by the water, runners train and many of Doha’s residents have come out in shorts and trainers to be a part of the scene. Brave cycle road racers dice with the traffic in bright Lycra and the bay has been dotted with white sails as the racers get used to the conditions.

For the athletes it is a time for nerves, waiting for the chance, that one chance, to do your very best for your country, for yourself, for the billions who will follow these Games on TV and on the Internet through this website, and in person at the 16 immaculate venues that will host the 39 sports.

For the organisers, Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, for the venue managers and for the 16,000 volunteers, it is a time of waiting too; waiting for years of planning to come to fruition, waiting for an incredible vision to take its form as the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

That moment is just a few hours away.

One day, 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tick, tick.

[Rind Baba]

[Nohani]

By NEIL FRANKLAND
AP Sports Writer
 
DOHA, Qatar (AP) - The Asian Games took on a somber tone Friday with the death of South Korean rider Kim Hyung-chil, crushed by his horse during the equestrian event on a rainy sixth day of competition.

A minute of silence was observed at all competition venues shortly after Kim's death, the first to occur during competition in the Asian Games' 55-year history.

South Korea Olympic officials said they believed poor course conditions due to heavy rain, and horse fatigue from the event's tight schedule may have contributed to the accident. They also expressed disappointment organizers decided to resume competition just hours later, before the South Koreans had decided whether to continue to field their team.

``This should be investigated to determine whether it was because of rain or because of mismanagement of the competition,'' South Korean Olympic committee president Kim Jung-kil said. ``Because of the rain the horse missed the timing of its jump.''

Kim fell from his horse on the 1.5-meter-high fence No. 8, a relatively easy obstacle, on the cross-country stage of the three-day event competition and was taken to hospital, Asian Games organizing committee spokesman Ahmed Abdulla Al Khulaifi said. Kim, at 47 the oldest rider on the South Korean team, was pronounced dead soon after arrival at the hospital.

Kim received severe trauma to his head, neck and upper chest when the horse, Bundaberg Black, rolled on him, and he did not regain consciousness, according to Abdulawahab al-Museh, of the organizing committee's doping and medical staff.

http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/APS/612072173&cachetime=5

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It is the eighth death linked to the Asian Games, although the first of an athlete.

Last week a 60-year-old Indian woman working as a volunteer died after being hit by a car as she crossed a busy, city centre street.

On Wednesday, a man turned himself into police following the deaths of six young Qatari women who were killed in a car crash as they returned from watching the Asian Games torch relay.

[Nohani]

Published: Wednesday, 6 December, 2006, 09:31 AM Doha Time

Gulf Times

THE ghastly road accident on the Al Shamal road which claimed the lives of six young Qatari women on November 25 was caused by "a reckless young Qatari man who was teasing the victims by trying to take their pictures with his cell phone," a source close to the family has said.

Quoting the source, Arabic daily Arrayah said the young man forced the driver of the Land Cruiser to take evasive action and thereby causing the accident. The "culprit" was a neighbour of the victims’ family, the source was quoted as saying.

As was reported in the press, the accident occurred while the victims were returning to Doha after attending the welcome ceremony at Shamal of the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006 torch, which was carried by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani.

After the culprit was identified by an injured member of the victims’ family, the brother of the deceased, in a fit of rage, went to his house to take revenge, the paper said.

"However, the culprit handed over himself to the police after he received death threats," the source said.

One of the survivors who is still in a critical condition will be flown to Germany for treatment today, the paper said.

Meanwhile, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the torchbearer of the 15th Asian Games, was quoted as saying in a statement that his happiness on coming home after a marathon torch relay, was marred by this tragedy and urged the Qatari people to drive carefully.

According to the source, three of the deceased women worked for the National Health Authority, Qatar National Bank and the Shafallh Centre for Children with Special Needs.

The fourth was unemployed, while the fifth and sixth were studying at secondary and preparatory schools, respectively.

The family members of the victims were further saddened as the story of the accident was discussed on several online forums in a distorted way, the source was quoted as saying.

[Rind Baba]

Hosts Qatar ousted defending champions IR Iran to reach their first ever Asian Games football final – a result which arguably indicates a wind of change about to sweep through West Asian football.

Qatar were well worth their win, which was achieved with goals in either half. Sebastian Quintana set the hosts on their way with a stunning left foot finish after latching onto a long pass in the 28th minute.

Hussain Yaser Adbulrahman, who had been a thorn in the Iranians’ side all night, added the vital second goal 16 minutes from time with a 25-yard shot which caught a deflection and looped over stranded Iranian ‘keeper Hassan Roudbarian.

The game was ill-tempered near the end as five-times winners IR Iran – previously unbeaten in 15 Asian Games matches – pressed but were unable to create any clear openings.

There were wild scenes of celebration at the end of the match at Al-Sadd Sports Club and Doha is set to be a noisy place tonight as Qatar celebrates reaching its first major football final.

The Doha 2005 men’s football between Qatar and tournament surprise packet Iraq, earlier 1-0 victors over Korea, will take place on 15 December at Al-Gharrafa Sports Club

[Rind Baba]

One whistle, just one whistle from the referee, and Al-Sadd Football Stadium broke into an explosion of joy as Qatar’s heroic footballers clinched the last gold medal of Doha 2006. Their ecstatic maroon-shirted players, players who have dreamed of being crowned the best in Asia, can now make that boast. They stand alone, heroes to the State of Qatar and all who have taken this most fantastic of Asian Games to their hearts.

It was a fairytale ending to the Games hosts, winning the men's football gold for the first time by beating Iraq 1-0 on Friday 15 December – the last day of Doha 2006.

Mohammed Bilal Rajab was the hero, scoring the only goal after 62 minutes of a match Qatar dominated from start to finish. In front of an expectant crowd at Al-Sadd, Qatar attacked from the off and missed a number of chances before the crucial breakthrough came.

In-form Sebastian Quintana went close to adding to his four goals in the competition after only six minutes. The striker connected with a header from a corner but saw it pushed on to the bar by Iraq goalkeeper Mohammed Khadum.

Ali Nasser Saleh dragged a shot wide from 20 yards and Khalfan Ibrahi Al Khalfan tricked his way past two players but failed to deliver a telling cross from the right wing.

On 32 minutes Qatar went close again when Rajab was left unmarked in the penalty area but could not connect properly with his header.

With seconds to go before the half time whistle, Quintana took a ball on the left and sent two defenders the wrong way as he cut inside to open up an ambitious shooting opportunity. But the tall forward, too intent on shooting, kept his head down and failed to see an unmarked teammate in a much better position on the edge of the box.

Quintana let fly…and the ball went out for a throw. Referee Hiroyoshi Takayama blew the whistle, and Qatar trooped off for their half-time team talk with missed chances on their minds.

It was the same story shortly after half time as Quintana hooked the ball over after Hussain Ya Abdulrahman had crossed well from the right flank.

It looked like it was going to be one of those frustrating days for Qatar but then came the moment the home fans had waited for. Qatar's fourth corner of the match was flicked on at the near post and Rajab was in the right place to head past Khadum from four yards out – although how much he knew about it was confirmed as TV replays showed he was looking the other way when he scored.

But fortune favours the brave, and it was no more than Qatar deserved. The players, led by striker Hussain Yaser, rushed to hug their Bosnian coach Dzemaludin Musovic as joy erupted around the stadium.

Qatar almost added a second just minutes after but Quintana's effort was ruled out for offside. Quintana then fired narrowly wide but the miss proved to not be crucial as Iraq, looking jaded in their ninth match of the competition, failed to carve open any attacking opportunities.

The home team's defence, marshalled superbly by captain Abdulla Obaid Koni, were rarely under threat and Qatar saw out the remainder of the match comfortably as the crowd chanted "olé, olé olé olé" in anticipation of the win. Whistles from the crowd as they begged for the end were answered by referee Hiroyoshi Takayama, who raised the whistle to his lips and sparked scenes of jubilation on the sidelines and in the stands as Qatar won their ninth gold of Doha 2006 and their first ever in football.

History had been made

[Rind Baba]