Public Controversy in Qatar After Announcement of Hosting the "Power Slap 27" Championship

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The announcement of Doha hosting the Power Slap 27 face-slapping championship for the first time, on November 19, has sparked widespread controversy on social media platforms in Qatar.

The Power Slap game involves a direct competition between players who take turns slapping each other’s faces according to specific rules, where each competitor stands facing the other and alternates delivering open-handed slaps to the face.

The competitions are subject to weight classes and categories, while judges evaluate performance based on the strength, accuracy, and impact of the slap, with penalties imposed for violations related to the method of delivering the slap or the player's position.

Additionally, a significant portion of the interaction focused on the nature of the competitions, which are based on delivering direct slaps with an open hand, as many Twitter users and Qatari citizens expressed their reservations about hosting such events, considering that they do not align with the nature of the community, its values, and traditions.

Some have raised concerns about the possibility of children and teenagers imitating these practices, while others have called for a review of the hosting decision or for the championship to be replaced with other sports and entertainment events. The idea of the modern game goes back to Dana White, who contributed to transforming the face-slapping competitions popular on social media into an organized sport with rules and championships, before officially launching Power Slap in 2022.

Since its emergence, Power Slap has sparked widespread controversy due to the nature of the competition, which relies on receiving direct blows to the face without allowing the competitor to defend themselves in the usual manner seen in combat sports. Supporters argue that it is governed by rules and regulations that dictate how slaps are delivered and impose penalties for violations.