Doha: As part of the British Festival 2015, Qatar Football Association, British Council, and Evolution Sports Academy (EVO) yesterday organised the Hadaf five-a-side School Football Competition at International School of London.
This Year’s edition featured four U-15 British schools’ teams playing against five U-15 Independent schools’ teams.
The competition was attended by British Ambassador Nicholas Hopton, Hamad Al Kuwari, Acting Executive Director, Operations, QFA, Martin Hope, Country Director, British Council, and Tommy Westermoreland, General Manager, EVO.
An award ceremony was held after the final match honouring the first and second place teams.
Hopton said: “I am delighted the second Hadaf Cup has been organised as part of the British Festival 2015 building on the success of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture. As Qatar prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, I could not think of a more relevant way to emphasise that football is a sport that brings our two countries ever closer together.
“This was further emphasised earlier this week with the announcement that the Qatar national football team will base themselves at the state-of-art St Georges Park in England in May to train and play two international friendly matches. The UK will continue to support Qatar’s preparations for a successful World Cup in 2022. I congratulate all schools for their participation. Win, lose or draw, football is a game about teamwork and sharing and this competition is a visible demonstration of our shared values and partnership through sport.”
Al Kuwari said: “We are pleased to collaborate with British Council to support the competition by providing referees to officiate the matches, gifts for the first and second place teams, and volunteers to help in organising the championship. We are also giving the first and second place teams a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Al Gharafa Stadium on May 23 for the Emir Cup final match. The trip will give students the chance to visit players’ changing rooms, pitch, media and TV areas, VIP tribune and other operational areas.”
The Peninsula
