(MENAFN- QNA) After a successful inaugural season, the Qatar Amateurs League (QAL) returns for its second campaign on Monday with more teams added to the league and increased interest from the media.
Present at the press conference ahead of the QAL's second season was Nasser Al Khater, Executive Director for Communications and Marketing at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), and Khalid al-Kuwari, acting Executive Director for Operations of the Qatar Football Association (QFA).
"The QAL has succeeded in providing an opportunity for a wide range of community members to play football in a more professional and organized manner," said Al Khater. "This success is reflected in the increased number of participating teams in the league for the upcoming second season."
"I think this league is a step in the right direction towards achieving the target set by the Supreme Committee for the dissemination and promotion of football culture to various segments of society, and to achieve a lasting legacy for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar," Al Khater added.
In turn, Al Kuwari said that "the league encompasses all specters of society, and encourages participation in the game even from university sides."
He also highlighted the success of having the league expanded to 16 teams with the introduction of 6 new teams. A new club from Umm Salal, mainly comprised of local players,will enter the QAL, as will teams from the Lebanese and Sudanese communities. There will also be clubs of expats from Scotland and Ireland, and a side named Latin United for Spanish-speaking players from the Latin community.
Al Kuwari added that this great diversity of teams will continue to "integrate different cultures into one fabric, and demonstrates the importance of football’s role as a bridge between civilizations which has the power to bring people of different backgrounds and origins together for the sake of sport."
Al Khater thanked the QFA for their excellent management and running of the Amateur League's affairs, and also praised the Qatar Olympic Committee, who provides stadia, facilities, and medical services to the QAL. Aspetar and the Qatari Red Crescent were also thanked for their medical care of the players.
Lastly, Al Khater noted that before the end of the year a documentary based on the founding and development of the QAL will be released.
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