British Ambassador to Qatar Nicholas Hopton (second right), Hamad al- Kuwari (third left), Acting Executive Director – Operations of QFA, Martin Hope, Country Director of the British Council, and Tommy Westermoreland, General Manager of Evolution Sports Qatar with Doha College team, which won the HADAF 5-a-side Schools Football Competition yesterday at the International School of London. PICTURES: Jayan Orma
By Sports Reporter/Doha
As part of the British Festival 2015, the Qatar Football Association, British Council, and Evolution Sports Academy organised the HADAF 5-a-side Schools Football Competition yesterday at the International School of London.
This Year’s edition featured four U-15 British Schools’ Teams playing against five U-15 Independent Schools’ Teams in five-a-side football games. In the final, Doha College beat Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq School to win the tournament.
The competition was attended by HMA Nicholas Hopton, Hamad al- Kuwari, Acting Executive Director – Operations of QFA, Martin Hope, Country Director of the British Council, and Tommy Westermoreland, General Manager of Evolution Sports Qatar. An award ceremony was held after the final match honouring the first and second place teams.
HMA Nicholas Hopton commented: “I am delighted the 2nd 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 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 to play two international friendly matches. The UK will continue to support Qatar’s preparations for a successful World Cup in 2022.
He added: “I congratulate all the 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.”
Commenting on QFA’s support for the tournament, Hamad al- Kuwari, Acting Executive Director - Operations in QFA said: “As part of its corporate social responsibility strategy, QFA is continuously investing in the different communities by supporting and partnering with various local entities and organisations to contribute to the development of football amongst the youth. We are pleased to collaborate with the British Council to support HADAF Schools Football Competition by providing referees to officiate the matches, gifts for the 1st and 2nd place teams, and volunteers to help in organising the championship.
He added: “We are also giving the 1st and 2nd place teams a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Al Gharafa Stadium on 23 May, which falls on the Emir Cup final match. The trip will give the students the chance to visit the players changing rooms, pitch, media and TV areas, VIP tribune and other operational areas.”
Martin Hope, Country Director, British Council said: “The British Council is delighted to be organising the British Festival HADAF schools football tournament in partnership with Evolution Sports Academy and Qatar Football Association. Football is a great way to connect young people, and this tournament will bring together young footballers from Qatar, the UK and around the world to enjoy a day of friendly competition. We hope that it will be the start of regular football matches between local and international schools. The British Council is committed to supporting the growth of community and school sports in Qatar, and of sharing UK expertise in this area.”
Tommy Westmoreland, General Manager of Evolution Sports Qatar noted “Evolution Sports Qatar are honored to be involved with the HADAF Football Tournament. In partnership with The British Council, EVO have been empowered to help bring the local and International communities together with a 5v5 Football tournament that will enhance the exposure of football and help develop ongoing relationships within the game.”
The British Festival is organised by the British Embassy in partnership with the British Council, and aims to include in its activities all the communities resident in Qatar, demonstrating the connections and common interests between our countries. The festival is being run in association with the UK government’s GREAT campaign, which aims to showcase the very best of what Britain has to offer.