Doha: The media preparations for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 are working perfectly, said HE Media Director of the Local Organizing Committee Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani. Speaking with Qatar News Agency , His Excellency added that the local organizing committee held regular meetings ahead of the kick-off of the sixth edition of the tournament to welcome around 500 media professionals accompanying the participating teams. The media delegations received their permits under a coordination between the organizing committee and the AFC. Hosts Qatar will kick off the quarter-finals on Thursday against 2016 winners Japan, with the hosts eyeing their first trophy. The top three sides will qualify to the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 while the fourth-placed team will play an AFC-CAF play-off against guinea on May 9. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani said that Asian media agencies were keen to cover the prestigious event given Qatar's thriving record of hosting and the top-notch facilities that st reamline the media covering. He highlighted the huge experiences Qatari cadres had acquired from the hosting of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and other sports events. Highlighting the enormous World Cup Qatar 2022 legacy, His Excellency said that the full-ready World Cup stadiums and all logistical aspects would contribute to producing a high-quality event. He hailed the great efforts of the local media as an essential partner in the success of any sports championship staged in Qatar. Source: Qatar News Agency