This year’s edition will see over 640 players compete in 32 teams representing different companies in Qatar, including 12 former and current contractors engaged on 2022 World Cup projects and seven teams engaged with the SC’s Generation Amazing programme. The opening match pits Gulf Contracting Company team (SC contractor) against Shapoorji Pallonji (Generation Amazing programme’s company). The tournament will continue for eight weeks, before concluding with a showpiece final on March 23.
General admission for the opening Workers’ Cup match is free and everyone is welcome to attend and cheer on the competing teams. The tournament’s draw took place at Movenpick Al Aziziya Hotel on Jan. 24.
“We’re as proud as ever to be supporting another edition of the Workers’ Cup and are all eagerly anticipating the kick off of the first game on Feb. 2,” SC Communications Director Fatma al-Nuaimi said of this year’s edition of the tournament.
“We’re hoping the 2018 edition will be as effective as previous tournaments have been at enhancing team spirit amongst workers and providing them with a platform to practice sport in a competitive and professional setting that encourages them to adopt healthy lifestyles,” al-Nuaimi added.
Hassan Rabiah al-Kuwari, QSL acting executive director of marketing and communications, highlighted the growing popularity of the event, which shows its “positive impact” on the local community.
“This makes me proud. We look forward to the new version of the tournament which is a way to give all sport fans in the Qatari community the opportunity to play football, whether to keep healthy, to meet new friends, or to test their football skills,” al-Kuwari said.
Last year’s opening ceremony and match attracted more than 5,000 fans to Qatar Sports Club, whilst the final fixture of the tournament attracted over 10,000 fans representing the various companies participating in the tournament. The annual tournament aims to promote a culture of sport and healthy lifestyles in the community of migrant workers engaged in various projects across the State of Qatar, especially those related to the infrastructure of the 2022 World Cup.
