Alkass Digital
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has shown its faith in Qatari cadres by appointing numerous Qataris to its standing committees for the next 2023-2027 term.
As a reflection of its experience and leadership in sports administration, Qatar has the most individuals serving on these committees.
Among the approved appointments is Hani Taleb Ballan, a member of the Executive Committee of Qatar Football Association (QFA), who will serve as Chairman of the AFC Referees Committee for the fourth consecutive term. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the Executive Committee of the QFA, was appointed to the membership of the AFC Associations Committee, while Mansour Mohamad Al Ansari, Secretary-General of the QFA, will serve as a member of the AFC Finance Committee for the third time.
Other appointments include Dr. Ahmed Khalil Al Abbasi, Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development at the Qatar Stars League, to the membership of the AFC Competitions Committee, Khalid Mubarak Al-Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communications Department of the QFA, to the membership of the AFC Communications Committee, and Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of ASPETAR Hospital, to the membership of the AFC Medical Committee, marking the second consecutive terms for each of them.
Fahad Thani Al Zaraa, Director of the Development Department of the QFA, was also appointed for membership in the AFC Technical Committee for the third consecutive term.
Talal Muhammad Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Qatar National Teams, was appointed to the membership of the AFC Development Committee, Dana Muhammad Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Legal Affairs at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, was appointed to the membership of the AFC Legal Committee, and Khalifa Saleh Al Haroun, Executive Advisor to the QFA Secretary-General, was appointed to the AFC Marketing Committee.
These new appointments highlight the extraordinary knowledge and skill of Qatar’s sports administration.
This knowledge was honed through the planning and execution of multiple major tournaments and sporting events, including the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
This active presence of Qatar in the AFC is an extension of other positions held by Qataris in continental organisations and federations, including QFA President and member of the Executive Council of FIFA for Asia Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, and Hani Talib Ballan, Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, among others.
Moreover, the QFA is committed to leveraging the skills and expertise of talented young Qataris in international sports organisations.
This strategic approach aligns with the Association’s goal of developing a comprehensive system of highly qualified Qatari professionals, who can positively influence the quality of events and sports tournaments hosted by the country in the coming years.