Emir Cup to begin with Sadd vs Wakrah

Al Sadd will take on Al Wakrah in the inaugural match of the Emir Cup Volleyball which will commence from April 30 at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd.At yesterday’s draw ceremony held at the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), Al Shamal where drawn to take on Al Ahli in the second match on the opening day of the championship, which will be contested by 11 clubs.The initial rounds of the championship will played on a knockout basis while the semi-finals will be a best-of-three affair.QVA officials, while explaining the draw format to the officials and the participating teams, said the two top teams from the recently concluded QVA League have received a bye.Two other teams, El Jaish and Police have also got a bye into the second round, while the draw also smiled on Al Gharafa.The organisers said the winner of the Al Sadd-Al Wakrah clash will face Al Rayyan on May 3 while Al Gharafa will face Police on May 4.The best-of-the-three semifinals will be played on May 7, 9 and 11.Two matches will be played every day, the first one at 4.30pm and the second one at 6.30pm.The final will be played on May 13 at 6.30pm.On May 1, Al Khor square against Qatar SC, the winner taking on Al Arabi in the second round on May 4.