Qatar Community Football League to host football tournament at Qatar 2022 training sites
The Qatar Community Football League (QCFL) was established in 2016 by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) and comprises 40 teams and 1,300 players from varying parts of Qatar.
The league aims to bring together talented players and is open to members of the public, including the youth and girls. The matches will take place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 training pitches on a weekly basis.
Mohammed Muntari, who plays for Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail and manages QCFL side Qatar Black Stars in his spare time, stated, “Having the opportunity to play on these beautiful pitches presents a massive opportunity for football lovers who look forward to enjoying the beautiful game as a break from their day to day life.
“What is most striking about the league is the high level of talent that can be seen on the pitch. For some, a community league denotes a certain level of football, but once you come and watch these games in person, you will be amazed by the quality of many of these players,” added Muntari, who is also a Qatar international.
Weekly matches will take place at the training pitches adjacent to the Qatar 2022 stadium in Al Rayyan, which will be inaugurated on December 18 when it hosts the Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Arabi.
The 40,000-capacity venue was built largely from reused and recycled materials from the deconstructed Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, which once occupied the site. It will now host seven matches during Qatar 2022 up to the round of 16 stage.
Khaled Al Sulaiti, defensive player at CNA-Q
Khaled Al Sulaiti, a defensive player for the College of North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q), expressed his immense pleasure in being able to play on the Qatar 2022 training pitches which features a World Cup stadium as a backdrop.
“We are getting closer to finally seeing the world’s biggest tournament in Qatar – and playing on some of the training pitches makes it feel even more tangible,” said Al Sulaiti.
“It is a great thrill to play in this league. Despite the players being amateurs, it is brimming with talent and a great platform for emerging players in Qatar to show off their skills,” he added.
QCFL matches will comprise of 11-a-side and will be played on full-sized football pitches. Games will last 60 minutes and showcase players of varying abilities. Omar Saad is responsible for managing the logistics of the league and is proud of its power to unite people from all walks of life.
“For the past four years, the QCFL has offered an inclusive community platform for people to come together and enjoy the beautiful game, whilst promoting a healthier lifestyle,” said Saad.
Matias Freije, player at Al Bidda
Another QCFL player is Matias Freije, an Argentinian equine vet who plays for Al Bidda, a first division team which includes a host of players from Latin America.
“The league is organized at a world-class level,” said Freije. “For amateurs that play the game as a hobby, it provides us an incredible opportunity to be part of something so extraordinary, and that is why we make sure to come out and play every week.”
SC Secretary-General, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, is full of praise for the QCFL and its impact on grassroots football in the country. “People from different nationalities and walks of life play in the league,” said Al Thawadi. “They retain the uniqueness of their identity, and yet together, they come and form Qatari society.”
“What the community league has done for grassroots football has been such a big boost and I wish it many years of success,” he added.
For more information on the Qatar Community Football League, please visit qcfl22.com
---
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
Twitter - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
