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2011 Pan Arab Games

2011 Arab Games
Arab Games 2011-logo.jpg
Host city Qatar Doha
Nations participating 21
Athletes participating 8,000 (est.)
Events 28
Opening ceremony 9 December
Closing ceremony 23 December
Officially opened by Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Main venue Khalifa International Stadium
2007 Cairo

The 2011 Arab Games is the 12th quadrennial Pan Arab Games and took place in Doha, Qatar from December 6 to 23, 2011. This was the first time that the country had hosted the multi-sport event. Khalifa International Stadium was the main venue for the competition.

Qatar was awarded rights to organise the games beating Lebanon in the bidding process. Arab Federation for Sports secretary general Othman al-Saad said that Qatar's hosting of the Pan-Arab Games would give the event "more momentum and significance in light of the huge capabilities and world-class sports facilities which Qatar owns."

Khalifa International Stadium was chosen to be the focal point of the games, hosting the opening ceremonies,while the closing ceremonies was held on Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Wathnan was designed as the mascot for the Games. It's a white horse, which is very important in Arabian culture.

Initially, all twenty-two nations of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees were scheduled to compete at the games. However, Syria withdrew its team in November 2011 in protest of the Arab League's suspension of the country's membership.


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