By Sports Reporter/Doha


Today the Qatar Stars League (QSL) and its Japanese counterpart, the J League, continued to develop their relationship with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreement which took place at the Intercontinental City hotel yesterday.
The QSL was represented by CEO Hani Ballan and Ahmed al-Harmi, the QSL Executive Director of Competition & Football Development.
Hani Ballan started by welcoming the Japanese delegation to Qatar and spoke about the benefits of the agreement which would see both entities sharing knowledge on many key areas.
Ballan said, “We have a wonderful relationship with our friends in the J. League, we place a high importance on this agreement. The main idea of this signing was raised some months ago when we originally visited Japan.”
He added, “There are many areas where this agreement will help us and the J League improve; the agreement will last for at least two years with the possibility to extend it. There are three main areas where the agreement will help make improvements. Firstly on the operational level this agreement will help with regards to match operations, media operations, marketing etc. Secondly on the technical and educational level, this includes issues like coaching education, seminars, workshops and construction and management of sport installations. Thirdly, the agreement also encompasses management and professional knowledge exchange. This entails improving administration and staff management, the league’s regulations and statutes, club licensing strategies as well as match fixing prevention and the improvement of integrity and moral principles in both football leagues.”
Speaking on the occasion, al-Harmi said, “In Japan the clubs are largely responsible for their own growth and development whereas in Qatar it is largely the job of the QSL. We are seeking to shift the main responsibilities to the clubs. I would like to thank the kind words which you just said about the QSL. We are one of the top four leagues in the continent but we are always looking to improve. With this agreement we believe we will reach our objectives faster and smarter.”
Researching the QSL is part of the J. Leagues broader look at the industry, to learn new methods and best practices from around the world. The J. League’s delegates said they were impressed by the hospitable disposition of QSL personnel and the good level of organisation of Qatar’s highest professional football league.
Murai Mitsuru, the J League Chairman said, “On behalf of the J League I would like to extend my warm and heartfelt appreciation to the QSL. Qatar and Japan are good friends, officially we have played 8 times, Japan has won twice and Qatar has won twice, with 4 draws. As we know Qatar will be hosting the 2022 World Cup and Japan will host the Olympic Games. Two of the world biggest sporting events are going to happen in both countries. So both countries share some similarities in this regard. Today we will be signing this agreement and I believe it will have benefits for us both, especially with future football initiatives and youth development.”
The J League delegation will also use their visit as an opportunity to visit the famous Aspire Academy and also watch the highly anticipated 2015 Emir Cup Final between Al Sadd and El Jaish at the Jassim bin Hamad stadium.
With this memorandum of understanding in place, the door is now open for further cooperation between the two domestic leagues.

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