DOHA, May 8: Ethiopian athletes pulled out of Friday’s Doha Super Grand Prix meet because of political tension between the two countries, organisers said.

“We had prepared everything for them: the visa, the tickets and everything,” said Dahlan Al-Hamad, the president of the Qatar athletics federation. “Unfortunately politics got into sports.”

Last month, Ethiopia broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar, saying the energy-rich Gulf state had become a source of instability in the Horn of Africa. It cited Qatar’s relations with Eritrea, which is involved in a long-standing feud with Ethiopia over their border.

Qatar said it was astonished by the diplomatic action and denied the accusations that it is hurting Ethiopia’s security.

Seven Ethiopian athletes were on the starting list of Friday’s meeting, including indoor world champions Deresse Mekonnen in the 1,500 metres and Tariku Bekele in the 3,000. Al-Hamad said the IAAF world athletics federation would look into the matter.—AP

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...