Saad Al-Rumaihi

His Excellency Saad bin Mohammed Al-Rumaihi is Chairman of the Qatar Press Center and a Qatari media figure who witnessed defining stages in the history of Qatar Television. He became editor-in-chief of Al-Saqr sports magazine in 1980, Head of Sports at Qatar Television in 1982 and Director of Qatar Television in 1988, before joining the Amiri Diwan in 1998 as Secretary for Follow-up Affairs to His Highness the Father Amir.

After Al-Saqr became a weekly sports magazine in 1982, its circulation across Arab countries exceeded seventy-five thousand copies.

Born in Bahrain to Qatari parents, he spent his childhood and early youth there. After secondary school, the family returned to Qatar and settled in Al Gharafa, but he soon left again for Kuwait University. Four years in its Faculty of Economics and Political Science exposed him to prominent intellectuals, politicians, artists and sports figures and taught him how to speak on stage and address an audience.

He had wanted to study media, but Kuwait University did not offer the subject. He therefore entered the Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Political Science and graduated in June 1978 without losing his determination to work in journalism.

He began reporting while still a student, writing sports journalism for the weekly Al-Dawri and local-affairs pieces for the daily Al-Arab, including interviews with officials. Back in Qatar, he continued with Al-Dawri, Al-Arab and Al-Khaleej Al-Jadeed, then became Deputy Head of Sport at Al Raya. His appointment soon afterwards as editor-in-chief of Al-Saqr became a decisive career turn.

He also presented sports programmes on Qatar Television. Under his editorship, Al-Saqr covered major Arab and international events and became a widely read platform for sports that received little attention elsewhere. Originally monthly, it became a weekly in 1982 at his suggestion and circulated more than 75,000 copies across Arab countries. Economic pressures and difficulties transferring sales revenue led the state to close government publications in 1986; the farewell issue carried an interview with Maradona after Argentina won that year’s World Cup.

He helped found Al Gharafa Club with sheikhs and residents of the district and served as its president from 1982 to 1984. The idea began in 1978, and strong local support led to the club’s official recognition as a second-division side by the Supreme Council for Youth Welfare in September 1979. It later reached the first division and continued to win titles in the new millennium.

His interviews were often direct and sometimes controversial. In November 1987, before the Olympic match between Qatar and Kuwait in Doha, he interviewed Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad, President of the Kuwait Football Association, about the Gulf Cup due in Riyadh four months later. Strong comments about the Saudi team caused a public controversy and displeased Prince Faisal, although their close relationship survived the episode.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Saeed gave him honorary membership of Al Hilal, reflecting a relationship of mutual respect in which he frequently sought the founder’s sporting advice. He also maintained close ties with Al Ahli and attended its silver-jubilee celebrations in Saudi Arabia in 1987. His loyalty to Al Hilal never prevented searching questions or vigorous discussion with the late Prince Abdulrahman bin Saud, with whom he remained in contact until the prince’s final days.

After Al-Saqr closed, he held several senior posts, including Director of Qatar Television. When His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power, he moved to the Amiri Diwan as Secretary-General for Follow-up Affairs. During the next fifteen years, he met many Arab kings and presidents, remaining in the role until His Highness handed over power on 25 June 2013.

His interests extend beyond media and sport to history, politics, religion, biography and memoir. A large private library supports those interests, while his Wednesday cultural salon brings together young Qatari and Arab intellectuals and visitors to the country. He has also contributed to seminars and lectures in Qatar and across the GCC.

He began presenting “The Round Table” in 1987, hosting ministers, directors and other senior officials in Qatar. Its popularity later made the programme a platform for prominent Arab figures and recognised leaders from across the region.

A demanding career did not unsettle his family life. His wife, three sons and five daughters supported him through long absences for work. After retirement, he sought to compensate by spending more time and organising activities with his children and grandchildren.

His youngest son, Jassim Al-Rumaihi, inherited his interest in journalism and communication. He studied at Northwestern University, graduated on the honour roll, spent two years at Al Jazeera and then moved to the Amiri Diwan.

Having fulfilled the ambitions that shaped his career, he now devotes his experience to supporting young Qataris. His weekly majlis listens to the experiences of others, and he advocates giving younger people space to develop and present their talents.