Qatar Insurance Group Celebrated at Samla Race 2024 Awards Ceremony

Qatar Insurance Group (QIC Group, QIC), the leading insurer in Qatar and the MENA region, was recognized for its role as the official insurance sponsor of the sixth edition of the Samla Race during the 2024 awards ceremony. Held on Tuesday at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), the event celebrated the champions, sponsors, and key contributors to the success of this prestigious national endurance competition.
As part of its ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the promotion of Qatar’s national sports agenda, QIC Group proudly supported the Samla race, aligning with its mission to foster athletic excellence and community engagement.
The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including HE Minister of Sports and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, HE Chairperson of Qatar Media Corporation Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani, and Mr. Azzam Al-Mannai, CEO of the Samla Race Organizing Committee. Other partners and participating champions also attended the event.
Accepting the award on behalf of QIC Group, Mr. Rashid Al-Buainain, Group Chief Administrative Officer, emphasized the company’s dedication to community impact: “For over six decades, Qatar Insurance Group has remained committed to its social responsibility. CSR is a cornerstone of our identity as a leading Qatari company, compelling us to actively support the country’s sports and cultural initiatives. This commitment reflects the holistic vision of Qatar’s leadership, particularly in achieving the human development goals outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030.”
He added, “We were honored to once again sponsor the Samla race, an event that highlights the remarkable physical and mental endurance of Qatar’s youth. This year’s race showcased extraordinary athleticism, resilience, and sportsmanship, inspiring all who witnessed it.”
QIC Group extends its heartfelt congratulations to the winners, participants, and organizers of the sixth Samla Race, commending their dedication to instilling values of courage, perseverance, and resilience among Qatari youth.
Qatar Insurance Group to Sponsor the 2024 Samla Race

Qatar Insurance Group (QIC Group), the leading insurer in Qatar and the MENA region, has announced the signing of an agreement with the Organizing Committee of the Samla Race to support the sixth edition of the national endurance competition “Samla 2024” , continuing its role in highlight Qatar and Doha as a global sports capital.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, September 11 at Qatar Insurance Group’s headquarters in West Bay, was signed by Mr. Salem Al Mannai, Group CEO of QIC Group, and Mr. Azzam Al Mannai, CEO of the Organizing Committee of the Samla Race, designates Qatar Insurance as the official insurance sponsor of the event.
The race will take place from December 5 to 7 over a distance of 200 kilometers, featuring swimming, running, shooting, kayaking, and mountain biking. It is expected to see a record participation rate this year.
“This agreement reflects Qatar Insurance Group’s commitment to supporting the national sports scene. It aligns with our social responsibility and supports the country’s efforts to raise awareness of sports’ importance in the lives of individuals and communities. This is in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and in recognition of the significant impact of this distinguished event on Qatari society”, said Mr. Salem Al Mannai.
He added, “Samla is a challenging event that showcases endurance and determination, reflecting the resilience of Qatari youth. We look forward to strong competition, sportsmanship, and watching athletes overcome the challenges of Samla, serving as a source of inspiration and pride for Qataris and millions of followers in the region.”
Mr. Azzam expressed his gratitude and conveyed the significance of QIC Group’s sponsorship to the success of the race: “On behalf of the entire organizing committee and all the participants, I extend our deepest thanks to QIC for their steadfast support by being a sponsor of the Samla Race for the second consecutive year and for being an integral part of this journey. Together we will continue to make the Samla Race a beacon of sportsmanship, resilience, and community spirit.”
Qatar Insurance Group honored at the Samla Race 2023 award Ceremony

Qatar Insurance Group (QIC), the leading insurer in Qatar and the MENA Region was honored for its role as an official sponsor of the fifth edition of the Samla race during the 2023 Samla awards ceremony that was held last Tuesday honoring the champions, sponsors and the entities that contributed to the success of annual national endurance competition. The sponsorship comes as part of the Group’s corporate social responsibility and its keenness to support the national sports agenda.
Accepting the award on behalf of QIC was Mr. Rashid Al-Buainain, Group Chief Administrative Officer of QIC, who said on the sponsorship in an interview with Al-Kas sports channel, “For all the success that Qatar Insurance Group has achieved over the years, we have not lost sight of our social responsibility. CSR is a core component of our corporate personality. This comes in recognition of the position that QIC occupies as a leading Qatari company which demands that we play an active role in supporting the country’s sports and cultural agendas. More broadly, this in inspired by and in support of the wise and holistic vision of our country’s leadership within the framework of achieving the human development pillar, one of the four main pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030″.
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries including Mr. Azzam Al-Mannai, CEO of the Organizing Committee of the Samla Race and Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Director General of the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, the strategic partner of the race, other partners and the participating champions.
Coming in first place is Abdulaziz Saud Abdul Aziz Al-Rasheed Al-Tamimi whose completion time is 17:35:58, while Ibrahim Abdullah Ali Mohammed Al-Harami came in second place with 17:46:29, and Tamim Jamal Jaham Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari in third place with completion time of 18:16:09.
Qatar Insurance Group congratulates the winners, participants and the organizers of the fifth edition of the Samla race and acknowledges that it has succussed in instilling in Qatari youth values of courage, perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges and difficulties.
Qatar Insurance Group sponsors the 2023 Samla race

In a press held on Sunday, November 13th in Katara Cultural Village the details of the fifth edition of the major national sporting event and QIC Group’s – the leading insurer in Qatar dominant insurer, the GCC and MENA region – sponsorship of the Samla race was officially announced.
Hosted by members of Samla’s organizing committee and headed by H.E. Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, the press conference was attended by Sheikh Saud Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani, Board Member of Qatar Insurance Group (QIC Group) (QIC).
Speaking at the press conference, on behalf of the Group, Sheikh Saud Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani thanked Katara Cultural Village and the organizing committee and underscored the tangible positive impact of the Samla race on Qatari society. “Qatar Insurance Group is delighted to be one of the official sponsors of the fifth edition of the Samla race. For it embodies the values ingrained in the mission and culture of QIC Group and for the opportunity it offers us to highlight the prominent role Qatar occupies in the world of sports. We are excited to see our athletes take on this challenge and we look forward to stellar performances inspired by a spirit of competition and sportsmanship” said Sheikh Saud Al Thani.
“Samla is more than just a sporting tournament; the race reflects the resilience and determination of our people and has become a source of inspiration for all Qataris. Consequently, this sponsorship is a great source of pride and satisfaction to all of us at QIC Group.” added, Sheikh Saud Al Thani.
At the press conference, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, expressed his gratitude to all sponsors and acknowledged QIC Group for their support and commended its efforts in making this major sporting tournament a success.
Samla is a sporting event that requires endurance and perseverance as it is held on difficult and remote desert tracks that require high levels of athletic skills and abilities such as running, swimming, archery, rowing, and mountain biking.
The annual race which takes place in March, sees young Qataris with high athletic skills compete in covering a distance of about 200 kilometers.It was announced that the new edition will extend from Al Thakhira area to Al Shahaniya area, where the contestants will take on six new endurance challenges across Qatari desert tracks.
Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) is a publicly listed composite insurer with a consistent performance history of over 50 years and a global underwriting footprint. Founded in 1964, QIC was the first domestic insurance company in the State of Qatar. Today, QIC is the market leader in Qatar and a dominant insurer in the GCC and MENA regions. QIC is one of the highest rated insurers in the Gulf region with a rating of A/Stable from Standard & Poor’s and A (Excellent) from A.M. Best. QIC is also the first & best digital insurance company in Qatar and the largest insurance company in the MENA region by gross written premium, profitability, and total assets. It is listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange and has a market capitalization in excess of QAR 7.8 billion.