Al Andalus football team with Legacy Ambassador of QSL Saud Al Attiyah and other officials at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Kammutty VP
BY Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Participants at the first Qatar Workers Football Cup 2013 expect that more sports events will be opened for them in the future as it would give recognition for their talents and an opportunity to get involved in sport activities.
Many of them from African and Asian countries yesterday night gathered at Al Arabi stadium for the final match of Qatar Workers Football Cup 2013, the first ever tournament organised for the blue collar workers in Qatar.
The team represented by Al Andalus International won the Qatar Workers Football Cup 2013 and a cash prize of QR18,000 by winning the final match against Atlantic Contractors.
The score was 1-0.
The runners up received a trophy and QR9,000 cash prize, while Abdul Aziz was selected as the best goal keeper of the tournament and Sufiane Rersa was the best player of Qatar Workers Football Cup 2013.
The low-paid workers despite their presence in large numbers rarely get an opportunity for sport and no events are exclusively organised for them. Some players and spectators at the Qatar Workers Football Cup 2013 had never had a proper opportunity for sports before.
The winning Al Andalus International’s coach Tariq Ali said the tournament was a rare opportunity for the workers to showcase their talents.
He explained that his team’s players practised for the tournament every day after work. However, he said, on a regular week they get an opportunity only on a Friday to do sports activities and most of the workers do not get involved in any physical exercises on a regular basics.
Thomas Kwakudoe, a player representing Tragst Company, whose team was placed third at the tournament, said: “We have played football back home, but here this is the first time. This tournament is very inspiring, as it gave us a chance to get out of the usual work and do something we are interested.”
“The tournament refreshed us,” he added.
His colleague, Ebenezen Teboah, too shared similar thoughts. “We don’t get enough time to do sports activities, but it’s something we would like to do. This tournament was a good opportunity. Hope this will continue and workers like us will get the opportunity to practice their talents he said.
Many spectators and football fans too were present at the Al Arabi stadium to watch the final match between Al Andalus International and Atlantic Contractors.
“We heard about this match and came to watch the match. As many other workers we also don’t get an opportunity for sport activities, especially such tournaments. If more such events are introduced, it will be an opportunity for the workers to get diverted from work pressure and will give them recognition too,” said Mohammed Jamseed, an Indian expatriate.
Qatar Workers Football Cup 2013 was held in cooperation with the Qatar Stars League and QSports Leagues. It is one of many initiatives being planned to implement positive social and lifestyle changes in the country in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Peninsula
