Brother of Emir Takes Over as Qatar NOC President

(ATR) The leader of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will step down as the president of the QOC.

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The president of the Qatar
The president of the Qatar 2015 Organising Committee of the Handball World Cup Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, brother of the Gulf emirate's Emir Sheikh Tamim, gives an inauguration speech at the opening ceremony of the 24th Men's Handball World Championships at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall in Doha on January 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)

(ATR) The leader of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will step down as the president of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).

Replacing the emir is Sheikh Tamim’s younger brother Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. Sheikh Joaan will hold the office through the end of 2016.

The announcement was made following the NOC's annual general body meeting last week where elections were held for the new president. New secretary general Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari has also been appointed.

The new NOC president led the organizing committee for the International Handball Federation world championships in Doha this January. The new secretary general Al Kuwari was also heavily involved in these preparations.

Al Kuwari is replacing former secretary general Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Sheikh Saoud has been at the forefront of increasing Qatari involvement with international sports, helping the country gain several world championships over the course of the next few years, including aquatics, handball, road cycling and athletics.

The Qatar Olympic Committee has been unable to comment on the leadership change thus far despite multiple requests from Around the Rings.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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