Koora Time was developed by the QFA and Qatar Shell and is designed to improve the health and well-being of Qatar’s youth through football
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) was named winner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Dream Asia Award at the AFC Annual Awards 2016 gala event in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The QFA claimed this year’s social responsibility accolade for the second time in three years, recognising the success of the Koora Time Initiative which was developed in partnership with Qatar Shell. The prestigious AFC Dream Asia Award is given to an outstanding Member Association in recognition and appreciation of its social development work through football.
Koora Time is a five-year sustainable initiative designed to improve the health and well-being of Qatar’s youth through football. The initiative facilitates access to additional hours of physical activity and more opportunities and spaces to play football. The flagship programme Il’Ab We’Yana provides each child with an additional 72 hours of physical activity over its 18-week duration.
Since its launch in March 2013, the programme has benefited over 17,500 children across Qatar. Last year’s programme saw a significant reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) by 80% of participants. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
In recognition for its positive impact on the health of youth, Koora Time has been the recipient of numerous awards including the ‘Sports Industry Award’ for Best CSR Initiative, ‘CSR Award Qatar’ for Best CSR Impact Initiative, the ‘Dar Al Sharq Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ for the Best Sports Initiative, and the ‘2014 AFC Dream of Asia Award’ in the area of social responsibility.
Since Koora Time’s inauguration in March 2013, QFA and Qatar Shell have witnessed some truly fantastic results. These international awards acknowledge just how much the two organisations can contribute to society in hopes that others are inspired to follow suit.
The Koora Time initiative is part of QFA’s CSR strategy which aims to constantly leverage on its existing partnerships to educate the communities about the positive values of playing football and inspire the youth to play football
“At Qatar Shell we are committed to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 by working with Qatari partners to create and deliver long-term contributions to society that generate measurable social impact,” said Mohammed Abu Jbara, CSR Manager, Qatar Shell.
Hani Ballan, QFA Board Member receiving the Dream Asia Award.
