DOHA : The Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), in cooperation with the International Center for Sport Security (ICSS), hosted a workshop on sports integrity aimed at raising awareness of match-fixing risks and promoting ethical standards in basketball.
Held at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum under the slogan “Together, We Play Fair, Compete with Respect, and Win with Integrity,” the event brought together federation officials, ICSS representatives and members of Qatar’s under-16 national teams.
Participants discussed measures to protect the integrity of basketball in Qatar, including prevention mechanisms against match-fixing, principles of fair play and the responsibilities of players, coaches and administrators. The workshop also featured an interactive panel on regional and international challenges to sporting integrity.
Massimiliano Montanari, chief executive of the ICSS, praised the organization’s cooperation with the QBF and said awareness initiatives were essential to safeguarding the future of sport and maintaining public trust in competitions.
He also highlighted Qatar’s efforts to promote transparency and integrity in sport, saying that building a healthy sporting culture begins with education and awareness across the sporting ecosystem.
At the conclusion of the event, QBF president Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb honoured Montanari, Salah El Din Zaki Khaled, UNESCO’s representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and director of its Doha office, and Daniel Brown for their contributions to the initiative.
Al Mughaiseeb said combating match-fixing and promoting integrity remained among the federation’s top strategic priorities and reflected its commitment to developing the sport in line with international best practices.
In a press statement, he said the federation had recently strengthened its governance framework by updating regulations and organizational structures in accordance with international standards. He added that specialized bodies, including disciplinary and appeals committees, had been established to enhance fairness, transparency and accountability.
QBF Secretary-General and National Teams Director Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari said educational and awareness programmes were a key component of developing responsible athletes both on and off the court.
He said the workshop formed part of a broader series of initiatives designed to help players understand the challenges facing modern sport and make decisions that protect the integrity of competition and the reputation of Qatari sport.
Al Kuwari added that the federation would continue working with local and international partners to develop programmes aimed at fostering a safe, fair and sustainable sporting environment as Qatar seeks to strengthen its position in regional and international sport.
