Authority Figures Back Qatar’s Ambitions in Sports

The total number of coaches was 669. Of this figure 38 were Qatari coaches representing 4.2 per cent of the total number coaches while non-Qatari coaches were 641 at 95.8 per cent of the total. There were 328 assistant coaches. Of this figure 108 were Qataris (33 per cent) and 219 non-Qatari (67 per cent). Training courses to enhance the capacities of coaches associated with different sports were held during the 2010-2011 season. Most of the courses conducted for coaches were at the local level with 19 courses representing 50% of total number of courses held. The total number of registered referees for various sports was 1.042 referees for the season 2010/2011. Of this figure 442 were Qataris at 42.4% of the total while non-Qataris were 600 at 57.6%. The number of registered Paralympics athletes by age, gender and disability was 336 for the 2010-2011 season. Of this males were 239 males (71.1%) and females were 97 (28.9%). In terms of age the number of youth athletes was the highest with a total of 88 athletes at 26.2%, followed by the juniors with a total of 82 at 24.4%. In terms of type of handicaps, athletes with mental disability were 222 at 66.0%. Those with physical disability were 57 at 17%. These impressive figures definitely confirm Qatar’s aspirations to be counted among the world’s top sporting countries are valid, based as they are on achievements and not hyperbole.