Qatar U13 trio impress as Rasha takes silver at WTT Doha

Qatar’s youngest squad provided one of the weekend’s brightest storylines at the WTT Youth Contender in Doha, producing podium finishes across the Under-13 draws and signaling depth in the national pipeline. The event, staged at Lusail Sports Hall and running through January 22, saw Rasha Laghraibi reach the girls U13 final before settling for silver.

Laghraibi advanced to the title match after a commanding 3-0 semifinal win over fellow Qatari Alia Al-Baz, who took third place. In the final she ran into Egypt’s Malak Zaki and lost 3-0, but the overall result marks a major milestone for a player moving confidently through regional competition.

On the boys’ side, Qatar’s Rabia Al-Kuwari also climbed onto the podium. Al-Kuwari reached the semifinals but was edged 3-1 by Uganda’s Joseph Ssebatindira, settling for third and adding to the host nation’s medal haul at the Youth Contender.

Those outcomes underline the role of sustained preparation. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi, a board member of the Qatar Table Tennis Federation, praised the national team’s performances and said the players were well prepared through training camps. That investment in development has produced tangible returns at this level, with three U13 players combining to reach two semifinals and two medal positions.

Doha’s Youth Contender also featured international junior talent in older age groups. Chinese Taipei’s Wu Wing claimed the girls U17 crown with a 3-2 victory over India’s Devyanshi, while Iran’s Benjamin Faraji won the boys U17 title 3-0 against Hong Kong’s Man Long. These results reinforce the tournament’s role as a competitive proving ground for rising stars across the region.

For local clubs, coaches, and parents the takeaway is practical: Qatar’s junior system is producing players ready to test themselves at international WTT events. Those involved in coaching will want to study match tapes, reinforce the training elements that produced these runs, and plan targeted camps to translate podium appearances into title challenges. For selectors and federation planners, the weekend supplies evidence to support continued investment in youth sessions and competition exposure.

Matches from the Youth Contender continue through January 22, with Star Youth Contender play to follow as part of the wider Qatar International Table Tennis Series. The series remains a key stage for spotting talent and shaping the next generation of national team picks, and this U13 trio has just given the Qatar ping pong community plenty to watch as the season progresses.