tag

As a first in football tournament history, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ Local Organising Committee (LOC) has offered a comprehensive programme to support football scouts in discovering stars of tomorrow at the premier youth competition taking place in Qatar.The programme offers football scouts a turnkey solution that includes travel, accommodation, as well as match tickets, allowing them to stay in a centralised location within walking distance from the tournament venue and be at the heart of the event. “This is an unprecedented level of service for football scouts in any tournament history.The LOC recognises the pivotal role of scouts in identifying young talents on the pitch and shaping their future. Our aim was to provide them with a tailored experience that allows them to focus solely on the game, and offer them the best conditions to scout the next talent, while we take care of all the logistical details related to their visit,” said Abdulla Al Saai, LOC Executive Director of Sports Management.More than 130 scouts from top international clubs are attending the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, with the LOC providing dedicated services to streamline their experience at the tournament. A total of 104 matches are taking place across eight pitches of the Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, with up to eight matches a day during the ongoing group stage.The tournament’s one-of-a-kind centralised venue format has enabled scouts to attend multiple matches in a day and observe emerging talents up close from a single venue. “We are delighted to welcome scouts from all over the globe, which is reflective of the global diversity we are celebrating at the U-17 World Cup.We look forward to strengthening our relationship with them and understanding their requirements to further enrich their experience as Qatar prepares to host future editions of this prestigious tournament,” added Al Saai. This is the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, making it the biggest edition of the youth tournament. For Cole Bushue, Head of Academy Scouting at MLS side Chicago Fire, the tournament’s unique format has provided scouts access to a large pool of talents at a single venue. “This tournament is an important pathway for players to get into the first team. Having them all at one venue enables scouts to monitor talents easily as we look to bring them into the first team. We are able to move from pitch to pitch and observe players across multiple games, without having to commute from one venue to another.The pitches have great viewpoints, which help us in watching players closely. Our experience in Qatar has been incredible.” For Pedro Ferreirinha, a talent scout from French side AS Saint-Étienne, the tournament’s 48-team format has allowed him to observe different playing styles amongst young players and test their readiness: “We are witnessing talents from across the world. With diverse cultures and playing styles, this tournament allows us to assess how players cope in different environments.In addition to talent, it is important to assess young players’ attitude and competitive spirit on the pitch. This tournament has enabled us to watch a number of teams and matches, all at a single venue. These young players are having the opportunity to play in top-notch pitches and other sporting infrastructure in Qatar that are amongst the best in the world.”The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ is the first of five consecutive editions that Qatar will be hosting. As the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, this is the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time. Tickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa. For tournament updates, follow @u17worldcupqa on all major social media platforms.

The Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) and the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association (QSGA) participated Saturday in the 2025 Global Jamboree on the Air and Internet (JOTA-JOTI) through a dedicated radio station set up at the Qatar Amateur Radio Society headquarters under the special call sign (A71AJOTA).The global camp marks the 68th edition of JOTA and the 29th of JOTI, offering 48 continuous hours of interaction among scouts worldwide in a unique experience that blends technology, friendship, and global scouting culture.In his remarks, HE Shura Council Member and QARS Vice President Dr. Ahmed bin Hamad Al Mohannadi emphasized the society's annual commitment to such international events that foster global communication among amateur radio enthusiasts.He noted that the society's participation aims to promote cultural exchange, allowing scouts and radio amateurs to project their voices from Qatar to the world, encouraging year-round engagement and knowledge sharing.He added that amateur radio clubs worldwide showcase the latest advancements in radio technology and highlight the role of amateur radio in connecting people across borders. JOTA-JOTI utilizes two communication systems including amateur radio and the internet.QARS Secretary Saba'an Mismar Al Jassim stated that the society is marking its 15th consecutive year of participation in this official international event organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.He explained that JOTA is a global event where scouts of all ages from various countries connect via amateur radio stations, enabling and encouraging global communication among scouts, enriching their educational experience, and strengthening their sense of belonging to the global scouting movement.Scout leader Ahmed Khamis Al Yousef, Scouting Activities Consultant at the QSGA expressed pride in Qatar's participation in the global camp, affirming that interaction with scouts worldwide broadens participants' horizons and instills values of understanding and peace.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Yousef described the event as a global gathering of scouts and guides, facilitating the exchange of experiences and communication across cultures.He noted that participant selection is based on thorough preparation and the selection of outstanding scouts from both public and private schools, with language skills playing a role in enabling communication across different regions. Some scouts interact with peers from the Arab world, while others engage with scouts from around the globe in various languages, creating a diverse platform for cultural exchange.Media Officer Buthaina Dasmal Al Kuwari from the QSGA emphasized the importance of media coverage for such events, as it reflects the pioneering role of Qatari scouting in global forums.She noted that Qatar's first participation in JOTA-JOTI dates back to 1996 during the maritime camp in Al Khor, marking a deeply rooted legacy in the history of Qatari scouting.