if a sponsor has paid your ticket done all your papers, trained you, sorted accommodation, then it is his right to not release you to a competitor just because you found a better deal. i think it is a great way of protecting their interests.

by keeping you away for 2 years then any future job offer that you had will have been forgotten and then you are no threat to your previous employer.

i think the qatar authorities have it right. even if some think it unfair.