Champion ALYSJ FC players and officials celebrate after defeating MTM (Q Gym) in the final of the Qatar Community Football League at the Aspire Dome on Friday.
DOHA: ALYSJ FC defeated MTM (Q Gym) to win the second edition of the Qatar Community Football League (QCFL) in an exciting final at the Aspire Dome on Friday.
The tournament organisers, partners and participants praised the huge success and ‘remarkable’ growth of the competition following the final which was witnessed by over 300 spectators.
The league – founded by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) in 2016 as part of its ongoing commitment to help grow the game at grass-root level across Qatar.
The final match was preceded by a series of junior small-sided games on the pitch – as the next generation of young footballers from communities across Qatar got their chance to showcase their skills in the shadows of the 2022 FIFA World Cup venue, Khalifa International Stadium.
Meanwhile, at half-time, Al Meera Consumer Goods (QSC) were confirmed as the official retail partner for the 2018/19 Qatar Community Football League (QCFL), during a pitch side shirt-exchange ceremony.
Since its inception the QCFL has partnered with two other local stakeholders. Aspire joined the SC as main sponsors of the league, with the goal of enabling grassroots football to be available for all in Qatar.
In 2017, Evolution Sports partnered with the league to provide logistical support. Thanks to the support of its founders and partners, the league has enjoyed spectacular year-on-year growth.
This culminated in 2017/18, with more than 1,500 registered players, across 36 teams and three divisions – an increase in participation of over 100% since its launch. Such has been the uptake in the new amateur league, organisers are projecting its growth will continue, eventually expanding to four divisions.
The onboarding of a third key local partner – Al Meera – signifies a further expansion within the local community. As well as providing over 4,000 bottles of water for Friday’s final event, they have committed to supplying bottles for games throughout the 2018/19 campaign.
Commenting on the league’s success – and new partnership announcement – Ali Al Khater, the SC representative and QCFL Chairman, said: “I am delighted to welcome Al Meera to the QCFL family. Aspire and Evolution Sports have already played hugely significant roles in taking the league from inception to a higher level – now we welcome Al Meera on board as we strive towards the next steps of our journey together.
Mohammed Al Badr representing Al Meera Consumer Goods (Q.S.C) stated how the company was proud to support the Qatar Community Football League and to become a part of this exciting initiative.
He said: “Al Meera is honoured to support an initiative that brings to life the objectives of health to the various communities of Qatar, as defined by the leadership of the State of Qatar in support of the National Vison 2030.”
