DOHA – Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar and West Asia Volleyball Federations and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship Qatar 2026, said the second edition has featured impressive technical standards. He stressed that Qatar's hosting of the global tournament for the first time in the Middle East and Asia, with 20 national teams, further reflects Doha's distinguished position as a host of major international sporting events.
Al Kuwari highlighted the strong attention the championship is receiving from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), noting that FIVB President Fabio Azevedo will travel to Doha on August 27 to attend part of the competition. He said Azevedo confirmed at their latest meeting his interest in attending the championship and would bring his children to enjoy the tournament atmosphere and watch the matches.
He said the FIVB President's presence reflects the importance of the championship and the strong confidence Qatar has earned. Hosting an event of this scale also provides an opportunity to showcase Doha's organizational capabilities while strengthening volleyball and supporting its growth across the region.
Regarding the Qatar U17 national team, Al Kuwari said the team competed with players below the targeted age group as part of a technical plan to give promising talents exposure against elite national teams and build international experience at an early age. Several leading players were absent due to their commitments with the senior national team, while others were competing in West Asian beach volleyball tournaments. He said this is part of allocating players according to their commitments, while continuing to build a broad pool of talent for the future of Qatari volleyball.
Al Kuwari stressed that Qatar's participation is not measured only by competition and results, but also by identifying the best young talents and preparing them for future competitions. Such championships give players valuable experience of the world's leading volleyball schools and allow them to test themselves under the pressure of international competition.
He added that the Qatar senior national team is undergoing a process of renewal and rebuilding, with young players being integrated and a second line being developed to provide depth and reliable options in the coming years. He stressed that the federation prioritizes building a new generation capable of ensuring the team's continuity and strengthening its competitiveness.
He noted that the senior national team is currently holding a training camp in Slovenia ahead of upcoming commitments, led by the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship for Men in Fukuoka, Japan, from September 4 to 13, with 12 Asian national teams participating. The championship is an important gateway to World Championship qualification, with the top three teams qualifying before competing in the 20th Asian Games, "Aichi-Nagoya 2026," in the Japanese cities of Aichi and Nagoya. This requires preparing a well-rounded group of players capable of handling the demands and pressures of consecutive competitions.
Al Kuwari praised the Qatar U17 team's performance at the World Championship, saying the players performed well and gained valuable technical experience against strong teams. He stressed that the experience will contribute significantly to their development in the coming years.
He said the federation views the participation as an investment in the future by developing promising players who can later strengthen the senior national team. He stressed that building national teams is a comprehensive process requiring patience, continuous work and opportunities for players at different age levels.
The President of the Qatar and West Asia Volleyball Federations also praised the large crowds attending the championship matches, noting the strong presence of Arab, Asian and foreign communities in Doha. Their presence added a special atmosphere and contributed to the championship's success with fans. Al Kuwari said the strong spectator response reflects growing interest in volleyball in Qatar and gives players a vibrant competitive atmosphere. He stressed that hosting global championships helps raise the sport's profile and attract more fans and people interested in volleyball.
Al Kuwari concluded by saying that the U17 World Championship is an important milestone in developing Qatari volleyball, both in hosting major events and developing national teams. He expressed confidence that the championship will leave an important technical and organizational legacy, help discover a new generation of Qatari talent and raise the level of the sport in the future.