Doha (QAT) March 12, 2017: As Doha gears up for the international gymnastics federation (FIG) Artistic World Cup, the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) President Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi said it is an honour to host the prestigious event.

The qualification rounds are on March 22 and 23 while the finals will be on March 24 and 25 respectively, with eight gymnasts will qualify for the final in each apparatus.

“It’s a pride that we’ve earned the trust of the FIG to host an important event like this,” said QGF President Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi, and added, “Qatar have the necessary infrastructure and personnel to host any world-class event. We’ve professionals who can work for such a big event and that made us ambitious to go for bigger events. We’re prepared to host the 2018 Artistic World Championships.”

More than 100 gymnasts from 30 countries are expected to participate in the competition and QGF thanked FIG for reposing faith in Doha, which first hosted the event in 2008.

“With the experience of having organised several World Cups in the last one decade, this one too will be a successful one. As pioneer in organising several gymnastics disciplines in the region, the QGF has also shown efforts to promote the sport in the country as well as in the Arab region,” Al Hitmi added.

The former FIG President Bruno Grandi, who was in Doha last December, had opined the QGF, formed in 2000 and became affiliated to the world body in 2002, had developed very fast.