Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) president Ali al-Hitmi (centre) speaks at a press conference in the presence of Competition manager Abeer al-Buainin (left) and Relationship Committee Mohamed al-Meragui.

By Sports Reporter/Doha
 
Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) president Ali al-Hitmi said the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup has received good response and is confident the sport will grow in the country.  
QFG annually hosts the tournament and this year’s event, the 8th edition, will be held from March 25 to 27 at the Aspire Zone.
Unlike last year, this time QGF has decided to put the tickets for sale to the public and al-Hitmi said the reason was because the championship has been well received. “The hall was filled to capacity last year, especially on the final day, hence our decision to sell tickets this year. Sales have been encouraging including the VIP tickets. Gymnastics is an artistic sport and those who love art will love the sport,” said al-Hitmi, who is a member of World Gymnastics Federation’s ruling Executive Committee.
He said QGF was keen to attract more youngsters and is hoping to take the sport to schools. Having won the right to host the 2018 Artistic World Championships in May last year, al-Hitmi added this was the right time to popularise the sport.
“We have strong foundation and commitment through our Schools Olympic Programme. And the World Championships will only inspire a new generation. We organise the FIG Artistic World Cup series every year to boost the sport’s profile and attract youngsters to it. Gymnastics is gaining in popularity and our teams are doing well in the regional events.  
“We are taking steps towards making gymnastics popular since it’s an Olympic sport. It has progressed in the last decade as more schools are showing interests to groom youngsters, which is a good sign. I’m sure it’ll grow further,” al-Hitmi added.
This year’s event will hold more significance, as this will be the first event Qatar will be hosting after it won the bid to conduct the World Championships. Al-Hitmi said the event will be of the highest standard and added his association is focusing towards hosting the World Championship, for which the World Challenge Cup will act as a prelude.
“The 2018 World Championship was awarded to us because of FIG’s confidence and trust in us that we can organize a successful event of that magnitude. It has given us more responsibilities, aside from encouraging us to double up our efforts. The event has the support of the highest leadership in Qatar,” the QGF president added.
He said QGF has invited a number of the world’s prominent sports figures including presidents of the continental gymnastics unions to attend the championship and experience the high quality competition.
In this edition, 128 gymnasts (84 men and 44 women), including a host of Olympic and world champions from 34 countries, have confirmed their participation.
The qualification rounds will be held on the opening day and finals on second and third days. Eight gymnasts will qualify for the final in each category.
Reigning Olympic champion in rings category Zanette Arthur of Brazil will be in action, so is Danell Leyva of the US in the bars.
The 2014 Worlds bronze medal winner in Floor exercise, Diego Hypolito and Croatian Moznik Marijo, also a bronze medallist in Horizontal Bar in Nanning are competing.
Among women – all eyes will be on Larisa Iordache of Romania. The 18-year-old team bronze at the 2012 Olympics is a regular visitor to Doha and has swept medals in the last two years. In the last year’s event, she won three gold medals in Vault, Beam and Floor Exercise. The short lass, who also has two silver medals from the 2014 World Championship, is expected to dominate again.