QFA, sponsors launch promotional campaigns ahead of Amir Cup final

DOHA: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) yesterday joined hands with representatives of the event sponsors and partners to launch the official promotional campaign ahead of the final of Amir Cup, the country’s most popular football tournament.

The stakeholders yesterday came together on the pitch of the iconic Khalifa International Stadium where it was announced that a special mobile app has been created for the assistance of fans who will be watching the final football match of the season on May 19.

Tournament organisers said the Amir Cup mobile app has been created to give fans with tickets all information related to the final that will be played at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The app contains info about the stadiums, events around the match venue, ticket prices, ticket sales centres, stadium parking locations and how to access the stadiums easily and efficiently, it was announced yesterday.

It was also confirmed that 8 luxury cars and 250 special prizes will be given away to ‘lucky winners’ through a raffle draw to be conducted during the final.

Abdullah Al Saai, Tournament Director of the 2018 Amir Cup, Abdullah Marrafi, Programs Manager, Al Kass Sports Channels, Manar Khalifa Al Muraikhi, Director of PR and Corporate.“ Communications at Ooredoo, and Rashid Al Mohannadi, Head of Sports Department at Sout Al Khaleej Radio, were present during the press conference.

Khalid Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communication, Qatar Football Association (QFA), Yousif Abdulhadi, Senior Business Development Manager, QMIC Amir Cup Mobile App, and Ari Lahiri, Director General of lbticar, Amir Cup ‘Tawseel’ initiative for fans with disabilities, were also present.

Khalid Al Kuwari, (left) Director of Marketing and Communications QFA with Ari lahiri, General Manager Ibticar, Tawseel Initiative for Amir Cup Fans with Disabilities, yesterday. 

Amir Cup Tournament Director Al Saai and Maarafi addressed the media to give details of the activities that will be run across the country in the lead-up to the final.

‘Tawseel’, Amir Cup 2018 initiative, in which lbticar, a Qatar based company that serves people with disabilities by providing accessible transportation to wheelchair users and to those that have difficulties with mobility was announced during the press conference. The initiative will provide free wheelchair accessible transportation to all fans with disabilities for all Amir Cup matches.

“We are pleased to officially announce the start of the promotional campaign for the Amir’s Cup final across the country,” Al Saai said in his opening remarks.

“I welcome the guests at this gathering being staged for the first time. The Amir Cup trophy tour that kicked off last month has already visited schools, government institutions and offices of the sponsors during the last few weeks,” Al Saai added.

“I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the event sponsors. Their valuable support is what makes our event more popular,” Al Saai said.

“Today, we have gathered here to announce that 8 luxury cars and some 250 prizes will be drawn following a raffle draw at the Amir Cup final.” he added.

Al Saai said the special mobile app can be downloaded easily. The Tournament Director also explained the availability of smart ticket service. He also said there will be special services for people with special needs.

“There is no doubt that these services we are offering, which will be implemented this season for the first time, will be offered at all future events also,” Al Saai said.

Marrafi, said: “We are proud of our partnership with the Qatar Football Association and our sponsorship of the Amir Cup as the Host Broadcaster of the tournament.”

“This is a constructive partnership that has been going on for years.”

He added: “The Al Kass channels has planned special coverage for the 2018 Amir Cup through a distinguished set of programs and live coverage of events for the most popular tournament in the country” Marrafi added.

“There are a number of programs that will present detailed analysis to the viewers on the Amir Cup final,” he added.

Rashid Al Mohannadi, Head of Sports Department, Sout Al Khaleej  during the event.

Al Muraikhi highlighted the new events offered by the company to the fans of the Amir Cup.

Al Muraikhi said: “We’re delighted to be once again supporting such an exciting and important sporting event for Qatar. The Amir Cup is a Qatar tournament, featuring our players and people and we encourage you all to go along and cheer them on.”

She added: “We are proud to support the Amir Cup again. We are keen to be part of this tournament every year. All Qataris and residents of this country are invited to witness what we hope will be a thrilling game of football. We urge the fans to come to the stadium and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and cheer for their favorite teams and players.”

The Amir Cup is the latest sporting event which Ooredoo will support as part of the company’s continued investment to encourage the next generation of players. As the main Telecommunications Partner for the Amir Cup, Ooredoo is hoping to build excitement for the contest by organising a virtual reality football game at Qatar Mail from 10 May 18 May, to countdown to the final of the competition.

Al Mohannadi yesterday said the 2018 Amir Cup final will get the maximum coverage.

“This is the most prestigious football tournament in Qatar. Our radio station pays great attention to the Amir Cup. We host football stars and analysts from Qatar and abroad and put out their views. We monitor the match proceedings with complete attention so the listeners never miss a beat,” Al Mohannadi said.

Al Kuwari said organisers had completed the preparations for what will be the 46th edition of the tournament.

“This is the most popular football tournament by far. We take this opportunity to congratulate everyone on the approaching final with energy and enthusiasm. The final will be held at the Khalifa International Stadium on May 19,” Al Kuwari said at the press conference.

“There are many activities and programs lined up for the much-sought after final. Our journey began with the Amir Cup trophy tour and now we are heading into carrying out the Amir Cup final promotional activities over the course of the next few days,” AI Kuwari said.

Amir Cup trophy on the display during the event.

Al Kuwari said fans can purchase tickets from Qatar Mall, Villaggio, Landmark, AI Khor Mall, Lulu Airport, Souq AI Wakrah, Souq Waqif, Lagoona Mall, Qatar Sports Club, Doha Festival City and Qatar fnac (Lagoona Mall/Doha Festival City).

The tickets can be bought from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm until the first batch of 10,000 runs out.

Those purchasing the tickets also get to know details related to their visit to the Khalifa International Stadium on May 19. Yousif Abdulhadi, Senior Business Development Manager, QMIC Amir Cup Mobile App, said the mobile app will give every fan the information they would be looking for while heading to the final.  

“We are proud of this partnership between QMIC and QFA. We see this as the first step on our shared continuous journey towards serving Qatari Football fans.

This application is the result of a remarkable collaboration between two national entities on the path of producing valuable services to the people of Qatar and enabling smart living. Thus, QMIC committed to utilize its knowledge and achievements with location services application “Wain,” to produce the Amir Cup app, hoping it will add to the experience and enjoyment of this tournament.” Abdulhadi said yesterday.

Lahiri, concluded the conference by saying: “Our partnership with QFA reflects our commitment towards those with special needs in Qatar; we constantly aim to improve accessibility for people with disabilities to ensure that sports events in Qatar are open to all. We thank the QFA for the support provided towards the initiative and hope this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship with the Qatar sports sector.”