DOHA: The president of the Arab Sport Press Association, Mohammad Jameel Abdulqader, has trumpeted the success of the 5th Arab Sports Media Women Meeting in Doha, citing the various speakers of both genders, a spike in attendance of journalists and the impressive organization.

“As long as I’ve seen, this year would definitely be considered the best meeting held for the women sports reporters,” said Abdulqader on the last day of the event held recently in Doha at Doha Seef Hotel under the supervision of Qatar Sport Press Committee headed by Mohammad Al-Malki.

Because we could never separate politics from our lives, not even when it comes to sports, Abdulqader said, “we wanted this year’s theme to be titled, “With Gaza” to support our brothers in Palestine.

The meeting attracted 30 Arab women sports reporters who came from countries such as the host of the 4th meeting Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Palestine, Kuwait, UAE, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and 2009 host Qatar. Women sports scribes from Oman, Lebanon, and Egypt missed the event.

“I had nothing to do with sports ever but I’m glad I came and it got me excited to really think and consider writing in sports,” said Layla Bahamam, Al-Youm daily newspaper women department supervisor, and one of the three Saudi media women who participated in the event. The other two were Hanaa Al-Alwani, Al-Ghalia TV sports presenter and football columnist for five years in different publications including Al-Bilad, Al-Madinah, in addition to this reporter. Being a first timer to the event Al-Alwani said, “its as if I’m brainwashed. I’m overwhelmed with the lectures and the reporters’ experiences. My views changed completely and for certain I’ll be having new, strong and powerful ideas and goals to achieve!”

“We were surprised Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee sent us the names of their three reporters. For the first time they are recognizing it officially. Last year it was not official but we had Ms. Baker and it was a promising step toward development in the Gulf and the Arab countries as well,” said Abdulqader.

The speakers included former editor in chief of Al-Saqer sport magazine Qatari Saad Al-Rumaihi who introduced sports journalism in Qatar in the first lecture of the meeting. Dr. Rabea Al-Kuwari and Dr. Ashraf Jalal came next and gave a combined lecture titled, “ the sports journalism fundamentals.” They pointed out that sports is by no means the only breather for any society to express themselves with no limitations or fear from the government, “even the sports elections, it is made by voting to allow the people to feel involved,” said Dr. Jalal.

Algerian presenter at Al-Jazeera Sports Channel Leila Smati also gave lecture, “Women sports reporters...from where? and to where?” “I want to make it clear, that no one should let you down, covering sports and being in the field of sports is an honor, specially nowadays when the youths are drifting in a world filled with drugs. There is nothing like sports to help each other become better whether by practicing it or supporting it,” she said. Al-Jazeera Sports Channel presenter Al-Taher Al-Juwaini from Tunisia then spoke about the importance of the pictures in supporting the article in an active workshop.

In her lecture, Qatari psychologist, author, and the first female candidate to run for a seat in municipal elections in 1999 Dr. Moza Al-Malki focused on the profession of journalism. She referred to it as the mission of trouble and how media women should not allow it to affect her or her family in a negative way. Algerian Khadijah Bint Qunnah who also works for Al-Jazeera Channel shared her experience in TV presenting. Dr. Elham Bader then spoke about herself as the first Qatari woman to appear on TV and the obstacles she faced due to the conservative culture surrounding her. She also spoke about how the hard work covering social issues gained her trust and the privilege to present her country to the world in the opening and closing ceremony at the 15th Asian Games in Doha in 2006.

To honor the event Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, secretary-general of Qatar National Olympic Committee came and spoke about the relationship between the media and how sports needs the media support. He said, it should not only focused on football, but also the other individual and team sports. After the completion of the lectures Sheikh Khalifa handed the women their certificates.

The itinerary also included tours of Qatar’s pride namely the Aspire Academy and the Museum of Islamic Arts, which was opened to the public in December 2008.