Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education department, in partnership with the Qatar Chess Federation, recently hosted the Qatar Foundation Schools Chess Tournament at Academyati in Education City. The event gathered 64 students from various Qatar Foundation schools, aiming to promote strategic thinking, concentration, and decision-making skills through competitive chess, while also encouraging sportsmanship and healthy competition among participants.
The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony that highlighted the achievements of the competitors. In the girls’ category, Sofiia Zubrytskyi of Qatar Academy Al Wakra took first place. In the boys’ category, the top spot was claimed by Nasser Faisal Al Thani from Academyati. Additionally, Qatar Academy Doha received the Best School trophy in recognition of its overall strong performance across the tournament.
Abdullah Al Kaabi, head of Sports Affairs at Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, emphasized the role of sports within the organization’s educational mission. He noted that athletic activities like chess are integral to developing students’ character and cultivating vital life and leadership skills. Al Kaabi described the chess tournament as a platform that merges learning with competitive play, enabling students to enhance their critical thinking, analytical, and decision-making abilities, which positively influence both their academic achievements and personal development. He also expressed optimism about expanding the partnership with the Qatar Chess Federation to reach a broader range of students and age groups in future initiatives aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent.
Students participating in the tournament shared positive reflections on their experiences. Ten-year-old Saad Faisal Al Dosari, a student at Academyati, described the event as a “wonderful experience” that helped him develop patience, self-confidence, and calm, deliberate thinking. This tournament marked his first time competing in chess, and he expressed enthusiasm for participating in more events to improve his skills. Similarly, Aisha Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, also 10 years old and attending Tariq Bin Ziad School, participated for the second time and found it even more enjoyable than her first. She highlighted chess as a tool for enhancing focus and careful decision-making and expressed the desire to inspire peers to take up the game.
The tournament reflects Qatar Foundation’s ongoing commitment to fostering educational experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings by integrating sports and intellectual competitions into students’ learning journeys.