Around 500 Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) workers joined together for a ‘Football Fun Day’ organised to celebrate International Labour Day.

The event – which took place at Al Khor Workers Sports Complex – was organised by the SC’s Workers’ Welfare division and gave some of the country’s many workers a chance to relax socialise and partake in a game of football or two.

As well as the 500 SC contractors a further 2500 workers from other organisations were also welcomed to the event.

With music providing vibrant backdrop attendees also tried their hand at kicking a football on stilts tested their dribbling skills around cones and competed in the bubble football competition – played with head torso and waist covered by a huge inflatable balloon.

Milan Shresta from Nepal enjoying a non-competitive game with a few colleagues said the event helped to bond with friends outside work.

“Events like the Fun Day help to bond with friends over a friendly game and I am thankful to the people who organised it” he told www.sc.qa.

“It also helps to sharpen my football skills. Who knows perhaps a career in the Nepal league awaits me back home.”

The more serious practitioners were seen bonding over a far more competitive kickabout. Adding intensity to the occasion was the formal six-a-side 30-minute game referee et al involving employees of Al Aamal and MIDMAC.

Issac Baah an Al Aamal employee who scored the only goal of the six-a-side contest said: “My goal was a great finish and it gave me a lot of joy and pride. Unfortunately no talent scouts from the local Qatar leagues were around. If they were here they would have surely approached me.”

Meanwhile Michael Ahrin who was in MIDMAC’s 2016 Workers Cup team said a game of football helps to switch off from the daily routine of working life.

“Football is not merely fun and frolic” said the Ghanaian. “It is also an opportunity for us to display our skills at something we are good at outside of work.

“A good game gives not just happiness but also pride. As a bonus my mate and I enjoyed at the speed competition as we won prizes after clocking in excess of 100 kilometres per hour.”

The football speed gun at which Ahrin and his friend excelled was a game that brought together the workers with the professionals.

The rush at the tent clearly was an indication that there are many who aspire to give Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo a run for their money when it comes to their left and right foot deliveries.

Speaking at the conclusion of the successful event Mahmoud Qutub Senior Advisor and Head of Workers’ Welfare at SC emphasised the importance of engaging workers in fun and competitive ways that instill a sense of pride and belonging.

“Football brings people together and the football-based activities set up for our workers at the purpose built Al Khor Recreation Facility was a prime example of everyone coming together and getting to know each other in an engaging environment outside of a work setting” he said.

“We are interested in stepping up our level of engagement with workers and look forward to hosting additional outreach activities throughout the year which maximise active leisure time for SC contractors.”

(Source: Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy)

The Peninsula