11.10.2008
Qatar Modern Pentathlon Federation marks new era in Qatari sporting history
The United Modern Pentathlon Federation (UIPM) has announced that Qatar is to form a new National Federation of the historic Olympic discipline.
Doha 2016 Bid Chairman, Hassan Ali Bin Ali, welcomed the new sporting discipline to Qatar, saying: “Modern pentathlon has a strong historical significance in the Olympic Movement and we are proud to be forming this new federation that has a long standing sporting tradition.”
The President of the newly formed Qatar Modern Pentathlon federation will be Mohammed Ali Al-Ghanim and it will be governed under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
The President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, The Heir Apparent of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani has played an increasingly important role on the world sporting stage culminating in Doha hosting the 2006 Asian Games. His Highness, Sheikh Tamim was President of the Organising Committee for the Games which have been described as the most successful, best organised and most widely reported Asian Games ever.
The Modern Pentathlon is considered to be one of the oldest traditional Olympic disciplines as it tests athletes in a variety of different sporting events. The sport was originally founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin on the premise that this multi-faceted sporting event would be the ultimate test for an individual’s sporting abilities and would result in producing skilled athletes well versed in several disciplines.
“With a sport steeped in history and cultural significance reaching across the world, we are sure that the introduction of this classical Olympic discipline at a local level in Doha will encourage our athletes to participate in this event which encompasses several key Olympic sports. In addition, we would welcome international Modern Pentathlon competitions to be staged in Doha, a regional hub for hosting international sporting events,” added Mr. Hassan.
The Modern Pentathlon will celebrate its 100 year anniversary at the London 2012 Games. The event was first introduced at the, the Fifth Olympiad, the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, which were the first Games to feature athletes from all five continents. The first Olympic Modern Pentathlon included athletes from several different countries including the future US General, George S. Patton.
The Qatar Modern Pentathlon Federation will be officially confirmed as a National Federation at the next UIPM General Assembly to be held in November 2008.