A Unique Cultural Exchange in Doha
Inside the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Doha, a surprising scene unfolds. Curling stones glide across the ice, children and adults take their first hesitant steps on skates, and amateur players engage in an enthusiastic ice hockey match. This unusual setting marks the beginning of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture initiative, with sport at its core.
The Winter Sports Development Programme is the first major event of this year-long cultural exchange. It aims to bring people together through shared experiences, even in unexpected environments. The initiative highlights the power of sports and culture to bridge gaps and foster connections between nations.
Why This Matters Now
The timing of the launch has added significance for those involved. Karim Morcos, Canada’s ambassador to Qatar, highlighted the importance of the event during a period of uncertainty. “We’ve had a rough couple of weeks, turbulent times,” he said. “Culture and sports are what bring humanity together. We bring down the barriers and we show what it’s like to be human.”
For Morcos, the partnership also serves as an opportunity to showcase Canada’s diverse identity. “Canada is a very diverse place… sport and culture are ways to integrate,” he explained. “What I want Qataris to see is the beauty of that, the diversity of Canada.”
Building Something New on the Ice
For many attendees, this was their first exposure to winter sports. Families tried curling, short track speed skating, and ice hockey, as Qatar seeks to grow participation in these disciplines, which are still relatively new to the country.
Besan Elwadia, a former figure skater and assistant coach in the Learn to Play Hockey programme, has seen the growth firsthand. “At the age of 16, I started figure skating and then joined the first national women’s ice hockey team in Qatar,” she said. “I helped recruit players and we slowly became a team.”
Now, she is helping introduce the sport to the next generation. “We were able to build this community in Qatar, parents from different countries coming together through one sport,” she said. “We’ve grown to over 60 kids in the programme.”
In a country known for its heat, the appeal of winter sports is simple. “Sometimes you just need a cool place and a sport to play indoors.”
Beyond Sport: Deeper Ties
While the focus is on sport, the initiative reflects broader cooperation between Qatar and its partners. “It’s a new day, a new page in our relationship,” Morcos said, pointing to recent agreements between Canada and Qatar, including a 10-year plan to deepen ties across political, security, and economic sectors.
This collaboration is already extending into major global events. “Qatar had a very successful experience, so we’re looking to them for lessons,” he said, referring to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada will co-host.
Mexico, the third partner in this year’s programme, sees the Year of Culture as a way to strengthen those connections even further. “We’re three friendly countries… fostering friendship, cooperation and collaboration,” said Guillermo Ordorica, Mexico’s ambassador to Qatar.
He added that Qatar is already familiar to many in Mexico following the 2022 World Cup. “Qatar became very famous in my country… we are certain we will reinforce that very positive view of Qatar as a country with which we share many values.”
A Year-Long Programme
The Year of Culture initiative pairs Qatar with partner countries each year, expanding beyond traditional arts into sport, education, and community programmes. The Winter Sports Development Programme will run throughout 2026, with monthly events aimed at building grassroots participation and creating pathways to competition.
If the launch is anything to go by, winter sports may be finding a home in Qatar. Even in the desert.
