ANOC Marketing and New Sources of Finance Commission Member Sheikha Asma Al-Thani to climb Mount Everest
ANOC Marketing and New Sources of Finance Commission member and Qatar Olympic Committee Director of Marketing and Communications Sheikha Asma Al Thani is aiming to become the first Qatari woman to climb Mount Everest in April/May. The climb forms part of her broader ambition to inspire women and young people in the region to challenge stereotypes and fulfil their dreams.
Sheikha Asma is also aiming to become to become the first woman from the Middle East to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, which involves climbing all of the Seven Summits and reaching the North Pole and South Pole. She has already completed three of the nine Explorers Grand Slam challenges – in 2014, she was among the first group of Qatari women to summit Kilimanjaro, she skied the last degree to the North Pole in 2018 and in 2019 became the first Qatari woman to summit Aconcagua.
Sheikha Asma Al Thani said:
“I have dreamed of climbing mountains ever since I was young. A dream which has always been ignited by my love of sport and its ability to inspire. In my extensive work within sport in Qatar, I have seen first-hand the powerful impact that sport and its incredible athletes can have on the lives of so many. If they fall, they always get up and try harder. And if they lose, they always rise stronger. Ultimately, they inspire us all to be better versions of ourselves.
“I climb mountains because it challenges my limits. And it is my hope that, by taking on the world’s highest mountains, I can challenge the stereotypical image of the traditional explorer and empower women and youth in the region to challenge themselves and dream bigger. This has been a journey of firsts, but this is not my focus. My ultimate dream is to be the first of many Qatari women to achieve such feats. Together we can all work to inspire the next generation of women to achieve their dreams.”
Sheikha Asma will travel to Nepal on 1 April to begin her trek to Everest Basecamp for acclimatisation, before attempting to summit Everest in mid-May if conditions allow.
