Ahmad Ali Al-Mawlawi, chef de mission of the host delegation, said
yesterday that he expected Qatar to win at least four gold medals, the same
number they won in the Busan Asian Games four years before.
"It is hard to tell how many gold medals we are aiming at the Games this
time, but I think we can win at least four," Al-Mawlawi told Xinhua after the
flag-raising ceremony held in the Athletes' Village.
Qatar sent 357 athletes to compete in 35 sports and about 300 athletes
attended the ceremony on Monday.
Qatar, the first Arab country hosting this multisports event, won four golds,
five silvers and eight bronzes in 2002.
"Hopefully, we can take medals in archery, athletics, shooting and handball,"
he said.
Equestrian sports are popular in Qatar, which is home to some of the purest
Arabian breeds. Soccer is another popular sport.
In the West Asian Games last December in Doha, Qatar topped the medal table
with a 28-19-20 record.
The 15th Asian Games is slated for Dec. 1-15.
