(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The fate of 18 contesting teams for Qatar's most eagerly-awaited football tournament was determined yesterday as draw was held for the Emir Cup 2015 in a glitzy ceremony in Doha.
Country's football legends joined the current national players along with coaches of the participating teams and the Qatar Football Association's (QFA) officials at an impressive ceremony hosted by the QFA at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel.
Mansoor Al Ansari, Secretary-General of QFA, Hani Balan, QFA Board Member, Hamad Al Kuwari, Acting Executive Director of Operations of QFA were among the officials who attended the ceremony.
The Emir Cup is set to witness the participation of 18 first and second division teams that will compete to win the most coveted title.
The prestigious tournament will kick off on April 24 while the final is scheduled to be held on May 23.
Al Sadd, the defending champions, have turned all their focus on the Emir Cup as the Doha giants have slim chances to win the Qatar Stars League (QSL) being led by the defending champions Lekhwiya.
"The Emir Cup is huge and we'll definitely give our best," Al Sadd's head coach Hussain Amute told reporters following the draw ceremony.
"We are desperate to retain the title and all our focus is now on the Emir Cup. Undoubtedly it is the most important tournament of the country."
Qatar Sports Club, Al Arabi Sports Club, Lekhwiya Stadium, Al Sadd Sports Club and Al Gharrafa Stadium will host the matches of the prestigious tournament.
Al Arabi Stadium will play host to the opening match of the tournament.
Earlier, during his welcome speech at the draw ceremony, the Secretary-General of QFA said: "We meet again this year to celebrate this prominent event through which we inaugurate a new edition of the most prestigious championship in Qatar, the 43rd Emir Cup."
When addressing the partners of the championship, he added: "You have been partnering with QFA and continue to partner with us to contribute directly to the success of this championship, and QFA is delighted for the fruitful cooperation that has taken place over the past years," he said.
"The presence of more than one major partner to support the Emir Cup this year showcases all the efforts undertaken in order to provide a unique championship at all levels," Al Ansari added.
The draw procedure was conducted by Ali Hmoud Al Naimi, Head of Competitions in QFA, and was assisted by four former Qatari football legends; Obaid Gomaa (Al Sadd), Majid Al Sayegh (Al Arabi), Adel Khamees (Al Gharrafa) and Mohammed Ghanim Al Rumaihi (Al Ahli).
The format of the tournament, which includes four rounds remains unchanged as the matches will be played in a knock-out format.
Winners from each round will proceed into the next round.
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