Sports
Al Bidda SC eye top flight after QFA membership nod
‘It’s been an exciting as well as a difficult journey since we started as an amateur team in 2015’
September 17, 2023 | 12:07 AM
In a significant development marking a new chapter in the history of Al Bidda SC, the club announced that it has been granted membership in the Qatar Football Association (QFA).Al Bidda, who have been competing in the Second Division league as an amateur side, can now target a place in the top flight Qatar Stars League. Al Bidda was established in 2015 and has developed a roster of skilled local and international players. They were granted approval by the QFA in September 2018, allowing them to participate in the Second Division League season as an amateur team.Earlier this year in June, the club’s membership was accepted to officially join QFA as a professional team. Al Bidda, who won the 2021-2022 Second Division Cup, finished second in the same competition last season. The club’s quick rise comes after seasons of persistent work and dedication where the team showed notable progress and exceptional performance on the field.President of the club’s Board Sheikh Fahed bin Mohamed al-Thani said in a statement. "I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Qatar Football Association for their continuous support and trust in us, and the acceptance of our membership is the result of the commitment and hard work of each and every member of the Al Bidda SC family."At a press conference on Saturday, the club’s Vice-President Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed al-Thani and Executive Director Ghassan Oueijan outlined the club’s vision as they chart their path towards Qatar Stars League (QSL). "It’s been an exciting as well as a difficult journey since we started as an amateur team. The Covid-19 pandemic hampered our progress but we have very good memories in recent years as we won the Second Division Cup," Sheikh Hamad told reporters on Saturday."We are aware it is going to be a difficult challenge in the Second Division League because all clubs are tough but we are looking forward to emerge on top and qualify for the QSL," he added.Al Bidda SC’s Executive Director Ghassan Oueijan echoed Sheikh Hamad’s views. "We are making all out efforts to strengthen the side and have included new international players for the Second Division League as we will compete for the title," he said.To strengthen its position and face the challenges of the Second Division, Al Bidda SC added six new players to its ranks: Akram El-Hamdaoui from Morocco, Edmilson Correia from Guinea-Bissau, Bright Enobakhare from Nigeria, Timothy Akinola from Britain, Yanis Bourbia from France, and Yamin Maouchi from France.The players, who were unveiled at a press conference on Saturday, were chosen after rigorous negotiations, bringing with them experience, skill, and a fresh vision for the team. Al Bidda’s coach Sami Salah Aldin said: "Integrating these six players into our team reflects our big ambitions; we are here to participate, to compete, and to achieve success".At the beginning of the current season, Al Bidda played a series of friendly matches and held a training camp in Turkiye, all in preparation for the challenges ahead. Moreover, in a new and ambitious step, the Club has also launched Al Bidda Academy."This represents a strategic project for the club with the aim of developing and elevating talented young footballers. Despite its recent formation, the academy boasts a specialised training team and modern techniques aimed at building a new generation of players equipped with the necessary skills and capabilities to excel in the sports field. The Academy aspires to be a central pillar in Al Bidda SC’s strategy for the coming years, focusing on the technical, physical, and mental aspects of its players," the club said in a statement.Furthermore, Al Bidda SC also announced a sponsorship partnership with Nakheel Landscapes. The three-year partnership will establish Nakheel Landscapes as the official sponsor for the club.
September 17, 2023 | 12:07 AM