The President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani received yesterday Ivonne Abdel Baki, ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, and Ecuador’s Defence Minister, Patricio Zambrano Restrepo at QFA’s headquarters located in Al Bidda Tower.  
The meeting was attended by QFA Vice President Saoud al-Mohannadi and QFA General Secretary Mansoor al-Ansari.
The visit of Ecuador’s Defence Minister is on the side-lines of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (Dimdex 2018), which took place in Qatar from 12-14 March at the Qatar National Convention Centre under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar.
The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and further develop them. They also discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to promote co-operation in the future to further develop football in the two countries.
During the meeting, they discussed several matters of mutual interest. The QFA President highlighted the strength of the relationship between the Qatari and Ecuadorian football federations and the importance of building that relationship by exchanging of experience and expertise. The two parties emphasised on the importance of promoting cooperation in the future to further develop football in the two countries. 
Abdel Baki, ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar expressed her thanks and appreciation to the QFA president for the remarkable reception and for the important role he plays in constantly supporting the development of football. 
She emphasised that the visit highlights the deep relations between the two countries.  She said: “We are very happy to be meeting with Sheikh Hamad today, who gives huge importance to football and advocates on the importance of excluding politics from sports. This visit highlights the great role football plays in bringing people together and building strong relations with different cultures away from politics.” 
Ecuador’s Defence Minister Restrepo said: “I would like to congratulate Qatar on hosting the 2022 World Cup, I am confident that Qatar will organise a unique version of the tournament.”
He praised the important role played by the Qatar in the sports sector, pointing out that Doha has become one of the most important sports cities in the world.
The QFA president presented the ambassador and the minister of defence the with the Qatar National Team jersey that has the number 22 in reference to the upcoming World Cup to be organised in Qatar.



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