Qatar Gymnastics Federation organized the press conference on 9/9/2009 to launch The second Artistic Gymnastics FIG World Cup Cat A which will be held at the Aspire Dome from September 28-30, 2009.
Addressing media persons at the Holiday Villa hotel on 9/9/2009, Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) president Ali Ahmed Al-Hitmi said the event to be held in the men’s and Women’s categories would have the participation of 194 delegates from 24 countries.
“We have changed this year’s schedule as last year’s event held in March clashed with the Olympic Day activities. We have taken this decision for better utilisation of the facilities at Aspire,” he said and praised the continued support and encouragement accorded to sport by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Three Qatari gymnasts, Nasser al-Mahmoud, Mahmoud al-Sadi (men) and Al Jazi al-Habshi (women) will feature in the three-day event.
Winners in the competition will receive cash prizes.
Asked about his expectations from the Qatari gymnasts, Al-Hitmi said he hoped the two participants in the men’s category would reach the final.
“If Nasser and Mahmoud can reach the final in their events, it would be an indicator  that our efforts in the promotion of gymnastics in Qatar are moving in the right direction,” he said.
“I would like to urge the public to come in large numbers to watch some high quality international gymnasts in action,” he added.
Mohamed al-Naimi, the competition manager later made a presentation details various aspects about the event.
Al-Naimi also revealed that winners in each event would receive points for inclusion in the gymnasts’ FIG ranking list in each apparatus.
Later, after signing an agreement to become the official hotel, Holiday Villa general manager Joey Chen thanked QGF for giving his organisation an opportunity to host the participants.
Mohamed al-Jabir, QGF secretary general and Abdul Rahman al-Qahtani, head of media committee, also spoke on the occasion. Among the sponsors of the competition include Qatar Airways, Aspire, janssen-fritsen as well as Nestle Pure Life. Al Jazeera Sport is the official broadcaster for the event.