Doha: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) signed an agreement with Qatar Charity whereby all of the money raised during the Qatar Cup final, which will be played this Saturday, will be donated to the people of Syria affected by war.
The match is scheduled to be played at 7pm at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa stadium between Lekhwiya and Eljaish, the two teams who have dominated most of the season.
The signing of the agreement took place here yesterday at Al Bidda tower.
Hani Balan the Deputy CEO of the QSL was present as well as Yousef Al Hammadi, Head of Arab media at the QSL and Ibrahim Abdullah Al Mohannadi, Executive Director of Local Develpoment Association and Salem Al Asbah, Public Relations Director.
Speaking on behalf of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, chairman of the Football Association and head of the institution Balan said: “We are very proud to be associated with Qatar Charity and we welcome them today. There is a long history and partnership between the QSL and Qatar Charity. There have been many initiatives such as Adamha which supports needy families who are struggling financially.
“The Syrian cause is very important, we aim to help the Syrian refugees and the support we give includes everything from clothes, food, and temporary shelters, schools and medical aid. Qatar Charity has donated the most to the refugees of Syria since the Syrian crises began according to the latest UN reports a week ago,” The QSL official said.
“We are thankful to Qatar Charity for their efforts in supporting the Syrian refugees especially when they are in such need of the most basic of things. Because of the situation that the refugees are in and what we can see via the media and reports, it is everybody’s duty to try and help and support the Syrian refugees and so because of this duty, the QSL has decided to donate the revenue of the ticket sales from the final of the Qatar Cup to this important cause,” he added.
“We must send a message to the fans that this is more than just a match but an opportunity to show our humanity and help, so please be there in the stadium, support your teams and support the Syrian refugees.”
Ibrahim Abdullah Al Mohannadi, Executive Director of the Local Develpoment Association said Qatar Charity has a social responsibility which is getting bigger and bigger, with the QSL we have a strategic partnership for a long time and now we are renewing it.
“In Qatar Charity we have two big departments one being international development and other is local development, the main objective is to support people locally in Qatar but also abroad so we would like to thank the QSL for this initiative. A year ago we were at the Turkish-Syrian border and we gave food and support for the people there without any political intentions, we were there simply to help,” Al Mohannadi, said.
“Unfortunately since my visit more than a year ago things have got drastically worse and so it is time to help the people again. Syrian people have been displaced and have sought refuge in many neighbouring countries. Of course money is important but it is also vitally important to feel in our hearts what our brothers in Syria have been going through.
We at Qatar Charity are proud to help these people, our organization has done a better job than some countries even and it is very difficult logistically to bring the goods to Syria. This is because of the dangerous borders but we could do it because we have kitchens, bakeries inside Syria, we are providing all this and more so that in some way we can help improve the people of Syria’s daily lives,” he added.
“Our former agreement with the QSL was to help struggling Qatari families and I would like to say that we have many great new ideas and we are working to achieve these too. Football is one great way to raise money, the fans will go to the game and enjoy the day but at the same time they will give money, so I hope there will be a big crowd for the match,” he said.The Peninsula
