Host city Doha Athletes participating 8,000 (est.) Opening ceremony 9 December | Nations participating 21 Events 28 Closing ceremony 23 December | |
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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.
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Host selection
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.
Mascot
Wathnan was designed as the mascot for the Games. It's a white horse, which is very important in Arabian culture.
Participation
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.