Organisers are hoping to complete the second round by the end of today and stage the third round on Sunday.

“The winds will be down a notch tomorrow and decreasing during the day,” said tournament director David Probyn on the European Tour’s website.

American John Daly leads on five-under-par through 18 holes, one ahead of Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (through 25), Australian Jason Day (24) and South Korean KJ Choi (18).

Fernandez-Castano, 31, started the day in a tie for the lead with the 45-year-old Daly but bogeyed two of the seven holes he was able to play to drop back to four-under.

“It was windy when we went out and I had a few birdie chances but then I bogeyed two holes into the wind,” said the Spaniard.

“I hope tomorrow I can take advantage of the remaining 11 holes I have.

“I didn’t have any balls moving but certain shots you could hardly keep balanced. Being selfish I’m quite happy play was called off.”

World number three Lee Westwood, the highest-ranked competitor in the 132-man field, was one-over-par through 24 holes.
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The 38-year-old Briton began his second round at the 10th and picked up a birdie at the 11th before double-bogeying the 12th and bogeying the 14th.

World number four Martin Kaymer of Germany was unable to improve on his one-under 71 from the first round while defending champion Thomas Bjorn of Denmark was six-over through 24 holes.
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“Really, that’s good news,” the Spaniard told journalists at a promotional event on Tuesday.

“The longer, the better,” the 2009 champion in Qatar added, smiling broadly.

Quiros knows what he is talking about. After all, he is one of the longest hitters on the professional circuit with an average driving distance of 312.69 yards in 2011.

With the 7414-yard course at its longest in the 15-year history of the tournament – a move aimed at testing the impressive field assembled in Qatar – Quiros was already fancying his chances of winning the event for the second time.

After his 2009 victory, Quiros went on to finish second in 2010 and 2011 losing out to Robert Karlsson and Thomas Bjorn, but despite being admittedly rusty early in the season he was confident of putting on a decent show.

“Last week I missed the cut in Abu Dhabi because I was rusty. Normally I manage to get some good practice even during the off-season but this time I took it easy.

“However, the long course and the fact that it’s never calm here with the shamal wind playing up almost every year, I feel confident. I like it when it is windy.”

A win in Abu Dhabi would have made him the first golfer to complete a Gulf Slam – he won the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai World Championship last year to add to his 2009 Qatar triumph – but the 29-year-old World No. 21 shrugged off the setback.

“Oh, it’s in the past now. I am not too bothered about that,” he said.

This year’s Qatar Masters boasts seven of the world’s top 20 players, with the third ranked Englishman Lee Westwood looking for his first win here.

Also in the mix are Major winners John Daly, Paul Lawrie and Graeme McDowell, world number 10 Jason Day, US Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup star Hunter Mahan and South Korea’s KJ Choi.

“It’s my first trip to the Middle East and I would be so excited to win the Qatar Masters – it’s one of the great events in world golf,” said Mahan.

“I would be so honoured to be the first American to win here and it’s certainly my goal and what I am here to do. But the field is so strong and I know it will be a great competition.” [Read More]

This deal builds on many years of sponsorship between ExxonMobil and the event since first staged in 1998. This year’s tournament will again be hosted by the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and the Commercial Bank Qatar at Doha Golf Club from February 2 – 5.

“ExxonMobil has been firmly behind this tournament since it began fourteen years ago and we are delighted to have seen it grow to become one of the premier overseas tournaments on the European Tour schedule,” said Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc.

“With first appearances by Jason Day and Hunter Mahan – two of the brightest talents in the game – golf fans around the world will look to Qatar to see who will be named the next champion.”

“Qatar’s leadership has identified sports as a way to showcase Qatar to the world – and events like the Commercialbank Qatar Masters demonstrate Qatar’s great success in this area,” said Cahir.

“Thanks to the Qatar Golf Association, Qatar Olympic Committee and Commercialbank, this golf tournament ranks alongside the very best in the sport and again confirms the nation as a home of world-class sporting properties – a key component in the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

The agreement was signed by Bart Cahir and Commercialbank Deputy CEO Abdulla Al Raisi in the presence of Qatar Golf Association President Hassan Al Naimi, Dolphin Energy General Manager Qatar Adel Ahmed Albuainain and Tournament Manager and Doha Golf Club General Manager Chris Myers during a signing ceremony at Doha Golf Club.

“The Qatar Golf Association and ExxonMobil have an excellent relationship stretching back to the first professional tournament staged here back in 1998,” said Al Raisi.

“This tournament benefits from working hand-in-hand with sponsors who are not only supporters of sport but also of the State of Qatar. ExxonMobil is one of those sponsors who work with us to maintain the event’s status as one of the most popular and professional events on the players’ calendar and we thank them once again for showing their commitment to the tournament’s future.”

The 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, has attracted a formidable player field who will take to a 7,414-yard course widely considered the toughest Middle East challenge on The European Tour. Day and Mahan will join World Number Two Lee Westwood, World Number Four Martin Kaymer, 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, TPC Champion KJ Choi, and reigning Dubai World Champion and former Commercialbank Qatar Masters winner Alvaro Quiros in the battle for the championship.

“We have a powerful line-up of players and an equally-strong collection of sponsors,” added Tournament Manager Chris Myers.

“Our thanks go to ExxonMobil for their support in what we have achieved and their belief in the event’s future.”
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Approximately 4.1 percent of Qatar’s GDP is spent on education; which is the highest in the region and Qatari families spend only 21 percent of the cost of their children’s education while a lion’s share of 79 percent is borne by the state. Still, the ratio of Qatari students dropping out of schools after the primary level is a matter of concern. Lack of required qualifications largely prevents Qatari students from taking up responsible positions in the local job market.

The situation is worse when it comes to Qatari students opting for specialist courses of study in streams like science, mathematics and technology. Their admission to these courses is on the decline. Furthermore, large numbers of Qatari students are unable to get direct admission to degree courses in universities as result of which they must attend Foundation Programmes.
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Citizens intrigued with the idea of creating a green economy, but unsure about how they can participate in this transformation, can look at two cities that offer stark contrasts. Detroit and Doha lie in what appear to be different worlds – Detroit in the American state of Michigan and Doha in the sovereign Arab country of Qatar. These cities have long had a connection, however. Doha’s economy is reliant on petroleum, some of which ends up as gasoline that fuels Detroit’s cars. Detroit, of course, has long suffered from the automobile industry’s boom and bust cycles, and Doha confronts a future that may include depleted oil reserves.

My recent stay in Detroit and current trip to Doha have opened my eyes to how citizens are taking matters into their own hands and building more sustainable economies. Whether they till soil in Detroit or harvest the abundant sun in Doha, residents in these cities are now harnessing local resources that have been abundant all along. And in doing so, they are tackling persistent poverty and unemployment in Detroit and building an economy in Doha that can sustain itself should the country’s oil and gas reserves ever be depleted. The end result is that citizens from all walks of life, not just politicians or those with the right connections, are involved.

Detroit’s citizens are demonstrating resilience while factories shutter and the local government struggles with scandal and deficits. Large swaths of abandoned neighborhoods provide economic opportunities in urban farming. The work of enterprises such as Hantz Farms and non-profit organizations, including The Greening of Detroit and Earthworks Urban Farm, provide residents skills training and help stabilize neighborhoods.

But Detroit’s reemergence is not solely based on agriculture: the city center’s Tech Town includes clean energy and environmental companies among its 200 tenants. Locals inspired to join the green economy can absorb new skills thanks to Tech Town’s full calendar of training programs and seminars. For these reasons, it should be no surprise that Detroit is tilting towards a cleaner economy: Michigan is rich in biodiversity, has ample fresh water, and is laden with forests and organic farms.
Doha’s skyline during another construction boom

Doha’s skyline during another construction boom

Eight time zones away, Doha’s only plentiful resources are oil and natural gas. The notion that the country with the world’s highest per capita rate of carbon emissions could become a sustainability laboratory is at first jarring. But with its hosting of global events such as this year’s COP 18 Summit and, of course, the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has emerged as a model for green building and clean energy. A new source of energy has its foundation in sunshine, which is plentiful in Qatar. While some of Qatar’s focus on solar energy is in the form of billion-dollar investments, schools and inspirational leaders also spark change by working with the young.

Hashim Al Sada is a 26-year-old engineer who leads a science summer camp in Doha that includes green energy on its curriculum. Qataris’ affinity for camping comes with a huge carbon footprint, as those excursions typically include televisions, refrigerators and air conditioning. To that end, Al Sada invented a solar energy generator that links with a battery system to power all of those gadgets. He hopes that what is now an experimental cost-effective system will scale and keep Qatar’s lights and air conditioners running in the event the country’s oil stocks are depleted.

Detroit and Doha show that, within the hubs of the automobile and petroleum industries, both individuals and civil societies can stand out, inspire others, and create greener and more inclusive economies.
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More than USD 106 billion of major projects will be awarded between now and 2022 in the Gulf country, with significant investment in oil and gas, heavy industry, electricity generation and water desalination, social infrastructure and transportation links, according to MEED’s 2011-12 Qatar Projects report.

Infrastructure spending will dominate the next five years with around USD 65 billion due to be invested in a series of new transportation schemes including the new USD 11 billion Doha International airport, the USD 6 billion Doha Port project and USD 25 billion metro and railway.

“More European architecture and construction firms are expected to head to Qatar as it invests heavily in building a world-class infrastructure system both for the FIFA World Cup Finals in 2022 and for Qatar Vision 2030,” Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, said in a statement.

Despite an expected slowdown this year, the outlook for the economy of the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas remains positive with GDP growth projected at 6 percent, according to International Monetary Fund forecasts.

British engineering firm Atkins is the latest European company to be awarded a project in Qatar after it won a USD 107 million contract earlier this month to set up a Central Planning Office for infrastructure and transport contracts, its second major contract win there in recent months.

“This latest contract win in Qatar strengthens our position in the region even further as we are working with government stakeholders to help them to deliver the most comprehensive and integrated infrastructure investment programme in the region’s history,” said Uwe Krueger, Chief Executive, Atkins.

Atkins is one of several European firms attending the conference. Others include Mott MacDonald, Foster + Partners and GMP Architekten.

Leading multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, Hilson Moran, is another European company that is increasing its focus on Qatar after it opened its second GCC office in Doha last year.

While last year’s conference attracted a record-breaking 644 attendees, the 2012 event on February 5-8 has been expanded to include more client-led presentations and case study analysis, providing an in-depth look at the mega projects and investment and construction opportunities available. [Read More]

Hosts of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar is expected to spend $10 billion US dollars on water infrastructure alone over the next decade. In light of this growth POWER-GEN Middle East and the newly launched, co-located WaterWorld Middle East conference and exhibition will bring the power and water sectors together at the brand new Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha, Qatar, from 6-8 February 2012.

Organized by PennWell in partnership with local utility KAHRAMAA and Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) as Co-Host and Platinum Sponsor, POWER-GEN Middle East and WaterWorld Middle East 2012 will host Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, Qatar for the opening keynote ceremony on February 6th.

Other keynote speakers include Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, President, KAHRAMAA, Fahad Hamad Al-Mohannadi, General Manager, Qatar Electricity and Water Company and Glenn Ensor, Director of Events, PennWell Corporation, UK.

The conference and exhibition will see more than 135 eminent chairs and speakers from 20 countries around the world deliver presentations and panel discussions in response to the opportunities and challenges in power, water supply and sanitation in the MENA region.

Qatar’s success in managing its power and water demand through accurate forecasting and long-term planning makes it a good case study within the region. Development opportunities will also be discussed such as QEWC’s developing projects elsewhere in the Middle East and potential to fund projects in Syria, Oman and Dubai.

Top speakers across a total of four conference tracks will include Karim Aftan El Jumaily, Minister of Electricity, Iraq, Ahmed Bin-Saleh Al Jandhami, Chief Operating Officer, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, Sultanate of Oman and Fouad Alsherebi, Executive Vice-President, Generation, Saudi Electricity Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Key conference topics to be discussed at POWER-GEN Middle East include Emerging Trends in the IPP Market, Project Issues-Encouraging Successes and Avoiding Pitfalls, Trends in Finance, Risk ‘&’ Investment and Technologies for Operational Flexiblity.

Nigel Blackaby, Conference Director of POWER-GEN Middle East, said: “Over the years POWER-GEN Middle East has grown in size and stature and I am delighted to say the event is now recognized as the principal meeting place for those interested in the strategic management and technical aspects of the power generation business in the GCC and wider Middle East region.” For the first time, WaterWorld Middle East will be held as a co-located annual event with POWER-GEN Middle East in response to growing water and wastewater challenges in the MENA region.

Key conference topics to be discussed at WaterWorld’s Middle East include MENA Spotlights, Desalination: Future Trends, Utility Management, Tariffs, Metering and Smart Water Grids and Water Reuse.

Tom Freyberg, Conference Director of WaterWorld Middle East, said: “WWME will be different to other events in the region by providing a conference that comprises strategic and technical papers, as well as a technical exhibition for companies to exhibit their latest product offerings. We aim to show how technology is being applied in the region, as well as just strategic debate.” Alongside the conference, the dual water and power exhibition will showcase the very latest innovative design solutions and technologies serving the power and water industry by over 130 leading companies representing 23 countries around the world. Exhibitors will include the likes of KAHRAMAA; Qatar Electricity ‘&’ Water Company; MAPNA Group; SPX ‘&’ Balcke Duerr GMBH; Siemens AG Energy Sector; Xylem; German Water Partnership; International Gulf Trading Company; Metito (Overseas) Ltd.
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Manavjit dished out a vintage performance in testing conditions to win gold as well as an Olympic quota for India in trap event while Khan gave the country a London Games berth in the 50m rifle 3 positions.

Khan finished fifth but as all the other shooters above him had already bagged Olympic quotas, the qualifying spot for the London Olympics came his way.

The Indians also won the team gold and silver in the 50m rifle 3 positions and trap event respectively.

Sanjeev Rajput, who has already booked a ticket to London, won gold in the in the 50m rifle 3 positions. Gagan Narang, who has also qualified for the London Games, battled his way to bronze in the same event to bring cheers to the Indians, who had to wait for 10 days for an Olympic quota in the competition which began on January 11.

Manavjit’s triumph made it a memorable outing for India at the Asian Championships with seven golds in the senior category. His gold medal made it a haul of 11 quotas for India, the highest number ever since quota places were introduced.

2006 trap world champion Manavjit banked on his experience to come through a tough qualifying round and did not relinquish the overnight lead today.

Starting the day with a score of 49/50, Manavjit shot rounds of 25, 24 and 24 to qualify for the final in first place. So dominant was his performance that the next shooter who qualified for the final was five points behind him at 117.

Despite the cushion, Manavjit started shakily in the final, dropping four of the first seven targets. The final in trap is a test of skill as the shooters have only one shot to hit the target unlike the qualification where they can use both cartridges.

However, Manavjit soon hit his stride as the other shooters failed to cope with the extremely windy conditions. The Indian shot 17/25 to finish with an overall score of 139/150 to bag gold.

The silver went to Talal Al Rashidi of Kuwait with a score of 134 after shooting 117 in qualifying. Rashid-al-Athba of Qatar bagged the final podium place along with the Olympic quota with a score of 132.

Veteran Indian shooter Mansher Singh, who won the trap gold at the Asian Shotgun Championships in last November, could not repeat his heroics and bowed out of contention with a score of 107 to finish 20th. Kynan Chenai finished at 18th having shot one point more than Mansher at 108.

In 50m Rifle 3 positions, Rajput made the best start in windy conditions with a score of 394 in the 40-shot prone series. Khan too put in a creditable effort shooting 392/400 to put himself in contention.

Narang though did not start well with a 380. But he came back strongly in the second series. He shot 380 in standing which was the highest score amongst the eight eventual finalists.

Rajput shot 372 which ensured he led the pack going into the kneeling series while Khan shot two points more with 374. Rajput shot a series of 382 in kneeling to end with a qualifying score of 1148.

Korea’s Jonghyun Kim and Jinseop Han were placed second and third with an identical score of 1142. Khan finished his kneeling series with a score of 373 to qualify in fourth place with a combined total of 1139.

Narang shot scores of 93, 95, 94 and 92 in kneeling to finish with an aggregate score of 1134. And that proved crucial as he held his nerve in testing conditions to climb up the leaderboard.

Despite trailing both the Koreans by eight points, Narang fought his way through to come into the reckoning for a podium finish. A 4.2 by Jinseop on his sixth shot gave Narang the chance to catch up.

Rajput too had a horror show of 5.7 in his fifth shot but his cushion of six points in qualifying meant that it would not affect him much.

Khan had to endure a similar moment of nervousness after his seventh shot had a low 3.3. Despite two further low shots of 7.8 and 7.9, he finished with a 10.2 to finish fifth and bag the quota.

Rajput, despite a low score of 93 in final, finished with an aggregate of 1241 to be crowned Asian champion. Korea’s Kim won the silver medal with a score of 1238.3. Narang shot the highest score of 98 in the final that catapulted him over Jinseop to third place with a score of 1232.

National coach Sunny Thomas was a relieved man after going through the entire competition without a quota till the final day today.

“The quota was eluding us like black magic. It was so windy today, the conditions were extremely difficult. People were shooting low scores in the final. No one could control the wind. We got three golds, a silver and a bronze and two quota places. I can’t ask for more,” he said.

“Everyone is relieved. Every passing day the anxiety grew as no quota was coming our way. Being the head of the team I could not show my disappointment which would have affected the morale of the shooters,” he said.

“Team for Olympics (rifle and pistol) will be declared on January 23. Now priority will be Olympics. I am not concerned about the performance in three World Cups this season. In my view, the shooters who have made the Olympics should be given a free hand. They should be exempted for national trials and should be free to do practice and train where they want.”

Earlier in the day, Pemba Tamang shot 583 to be involved in a three-man shoot-off for silver in the centre fire pistol. However, he missed out in the tie-shoot and finished fourth.
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