Hamza Driouch

Who is Hamza Driouch?

Hamza Driouch is a Qatari track and field athlete.

The Qatari mid-distance runner is a promising athlete with a good record in athletics competitions. He proved his talent through a series of good results. He won a silver medal in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore and took gold in the 1,500m at the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics in Barcelona.

Hamza Driouch is a Moroccan citizen, he moved to Qatar in 2010 with his brother, who was then looking for a job in the Gulf State. His father being deceased, his elder brother Ibrahim was looking after him. Hamza Driouch subsequently obtained Qatari nationality, Although the fact that the Qatari nationality must be obtained after 20 years of residence in Qatar but it was not the case with Driouch. Additionally, Hamza was granted the Qatari nationality before reaching age of 18. This was a case of discrimination against expatriates who resided for more than two decades in Qatar, asked for naturalization and/or permanent residency but the Qatari government did not approve those requests without giving any legal reasons.

Hamza Driouch made his Olympic debut for Qatar at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He qualified for London with an ‘A’ standard time of 3:34.50 in the Men's 1500m.