Doha, 10 May 2010: The Qatar Football Association [QFA] and Qatar Olympic Committee [QOC] today announced the creation of a dedicated committee within the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee [QWSC] that will be responsible for the development of women’s football in Qatar. The QWSC Football Committee will be headed by Mrs Ahlam Al Mana, President of the QWSC and will report directly to the QFA.

As a key part of its football development strategy, the QWSC Football Committee plans to form a Qatari women’s football league by the end of 2010. Participating teams will be incorporated into existing Qatar Stars League men’s clubs and operate under the umbrella of the QFA.

Mrs Ahlam Al Mana, President of the QWSC said: “There is already huge interest in football among Qatari women and the decision to create a women’s football league is a significant step forward that will help underpin many of our plans. The more girls and women we can encourage to play football, the greater the long-term benefits for Qatari society as a whole, be it in terms of health, youth development, or promotion of equality and inclusion. By providing Qatari women with genuine opportunities to participate in football and pursue a career in the sport field, we will be creating an immediate positive impact in areas of self esteem and employment prospects. ”

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani, President of the QFA said: “It is a hugely exciting time for women’s football in Qatar and we know we have to put in place the right structures and support mechanisms to move the women’s game forward. The QWSC Football Committee now has the power and remit to do this with the full support of the QFA and I believe we will start to see some tangible benefits in a relatively short time frame. Football at every level in Qatar is developing rapidly and with our bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup gaining momentum, there has never been a more exciting time for football in Qatar and the wider region.”

QWSC Football Committee’s goals include adding football to the national curriculum in
girls’ schools; setting up structured training programmes for all ages; training Qatari women to become international standard coaches and referees; hosting international women’s teams in Qatar; building dedicated facilities and establishing official national women’s teams in all age groups.

These goals build on recent developments in women’s football in Qatar such as the highly successful annual futsal tournament, nationwide under-13 talent identification sessions, and the training of Qatari women in sports management via FIFA.

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Notes to Editors
Background note attached.

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