Officials of Aspire Zone Foundation with football captains, coaches, managers, and referees, at a meeting.
DOHA: Aspire Zone Foundation’s (AZF) Ramadan football tournament, representing one of the nine different sports featuring in this year’s ‘Welcome to Aspire Festival,’ will kick off this evening at Aspire Zone on Outdoor Pitch 10.
In the lead up to the tournament, Aspire Logistics organisers Abdulla Al Khater and Nasser Shahbic, football captains, coaches, managers, and referees convened to clarify the rules and regulations, as well as the schedule of events, of the upcoming competition.
The official draw took place the day before the meet, and the 16 teams were divided into four separate groups.
As a testament to the overwhelming success of last year’s tournament, the 2012 winners, Al Andalos, are back to compete, as are the runners up, Al Waddi.
A representative of the Supreme Committee for Health team, Qassim Al Hemdi, said: “This is our first time participating in Aspire’s Ramadan festival. This is great programme as it will help participants maintain their fitness levels throughout Ramadan.”
Mohamed Bayjou, from the Baker Hughes team, commented: “This is my first time taking part in Aspire’s Ramadan festival. I believe this tournament will provide us with great experience and the opportunity to play other football teams from around Qatar. Aspire is also encouraging people across the country to stay active by creating similar tournaments and initiatives, such as step into health.”
The men’s football tournament runs until July 24 and will be held on Outdoor Pitch 10 and the Warm Up Track.
The Ramadan Festival is a community-inspired event and an example of Aspire Zone Foundation’s year-round commitment to encouraging healthy and active lifestyles to the residents of Qatar.
Open to all members of the community, the various sports will give individuals the chance to stay active through the hot summer months.
The Peninsula
