Qatar topped the medal table at last month's multi-sport event in the country’s capital, winning 21 golds, 20 silvers and 19 bronzes.

"The QOC is committed to working closely with each of our National Sport Federations to provide the highest level of support for all our athletes and ensure that they have everything they need to reach their full potential," QOC secretary general Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari said.

"We are very pleased to witness the number of talented athletes that continue to emerge across a wide variety of sports and represent Qatar at the highest possible level, particularly in women's sport and Para-sport.

"This demonstrates the progress that we continue to make on the sporting field and suggests a bright future for sporting excellence in Qatar.

"We are very proud of all our athletes and hope that their success will capture the attention of young people around the country and inspire them to take up sport at any level."

More than 350 athletes, 88 of which were Qatari, competed at the Games in 10 sports. 

Bahrain finished second in the medal standings with 14 golds, 18 silvers and 10 bronzes, while the United Arab Emirates were third with 12 golds, eight silvers and 12 bronzes.

Following the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Qatar was, along with Saudi Arabia and Brunei, one of only three countries to never have sent a female athlete to the Games.

The International Olympic Committee announced in 2010 it would "press" these countries to allow and facilitate women's participation.

The QOC reacted by claiming that they hoped to send up to four female athletes in shooting and fencing to represent them at London in 2012.

The country ultimately included four female athletes in its delegation with the quartet made up of 100 metres sprinter Noor Al-Malki, shooter Bahiya Al-Hamad, swimmer Nada Arkaji and table tennis player Aya Majdi.

Arkaji was one of two female athletes to compete for Qatar at last year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, along with 400m sprinter Dalal Mesfer Al-Harith.