Top Qatari players hope to shine before home crowd

Doha, Nov 28 (UNI) Qatar today expressed hopes that its sportspersons will put up a creditable show in the Asian Games to make the country a sporting powerhouse in the region.

Home factor is not the only reason Qatar is feeling confident of securing a rich haul of medals. For the hosts, the presence of two world champions in its contingent has given the host country reason to believe their athletes will excel.

The two sport stars are Shaheen Ahmed Al Marikhi and Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah -- world champions in bowling and motor sport, respectively -- and the two have a reputation of raising their level of performance when it matters most.

Given the duo's fine standing in their chosen fields, Shaheen and Nasser feel their time has come to keep the home fans happy and content.

Shaheen, who won the tenpin World Bowling Championship title in 1999, is keen to wind up his illustrious career with a gold flourish at the Asian Games, while Nasser, who will take part in skeet shooting, is just as eager to win gold for his country.

''The Asian Games 2006 will be my last big event for Qatar. I have keen desire to finish with a gold medal for my country,'' Shaheen said adding ''I have trained for this event for a long time.

The only thing on my mind is winning a medal or two for Qatar. I am confident that I will.'' Shaheen said he, along with Saeed Al Hajri, Mubaraq Ali Al Muraikhi, Abdulla Al Qatan and Khalifa Khalid Al Kubaili have been in training for more than two months for the Games.

''We have taken part in many events in preparation for the Asian Games. In June, we went to Korea for the Asian Bowling Championships. We finished in second spot behind Malaysia. That was a satisfactory result for us,'' the Qatari said.

''I think we will have a great battle with Koreans and Malaysians. They have a good rating at the Asian level,'' Shaheen, who has been bowling for almost 20 years, said.

Nasser, the recently-crowned PWRC world champion, said his concentration levels have improved a great deal, thanks to his rallying drills on the world circuit.

The 35-year-old exuded confidence when he said ''I am ready for the Asian Games. Although nothing can be predicted in sports, I feel I am in great physical condition and in acceptable mental state to do well in shooting competitions. I am confident of winning a medal.'' Nasser, who has switched from his driving seat to open spaces at the Losail Shooting Range with ease, said he is expecting tough challenge from Korean, UAE and Japanese shooters.

''There is no doubt that winning a medal will not be easy in any of the competitions. There are a few experienced hands who will take part at the Asian Games. I like it that way when the competition is strong. With good shooters around, we are bound to see some memorable competition,'' Nasser, who will take part in the skeet competition, said.

''In shooting competitions, experience counts for a lot. However, sometimes inexperienced shooters also cause a lot of tension for big names because they have no fear of the situation or reputations. So I am keeping an eye on all of my opponents. I am not taking anyone lightly,'' he said.

Shaheen said his team-mates were ready to deal with pressure-cooker situations during the Asian Games.

''Bowling is a sport where you have to be mentally strong to overcome tense situations. I would say our players are mentally very strong and don't get unnerved easily. This goes to our benefit as in bowling, a player has to stay focused and calm during play,'' he explained.

He said he wanted to improve his bronze medal show at the Busan Asian Games 2002.

''I am looking forward to the bowling show at Qatar Bowling Centre. I have never won gold at this level. I am keen to set the record straight. I have played this sport for a long time. I want to finish off with something memorable,'' he added.

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