The Peninsula
The Presidents of Asian football bodies attending the FIFA Executive Football Summit, yesterday visited the Qatar Football Association (QFA) pavilion at Darb Al Saai.
The visiting officials toured other pavilions as well and attended Qatar National Day programs at Darb Al Saai.
The football officials representing AFC member associations expressed their delight at seeing the huge participation of children with their families at Darb Al Saai. The officials also visited the pavilion of Koora Time Initiative and saw a big crowd of children present there.
“What I have seen at Darb Al Saai is no surprise because QFA does a good job of interacting with the communities living in the country,” Mariano Araneta, President of the Philippines FA, said yesterday.
“QFA takes upon itself to engage fans at the grassroots level and that is very nice to see,” Araneta said. “The activities are highly entertaining at Darb Al Saai.”
AFC Vice President Winston Lee said: “I am very pleased to be here. It feels good to see how Qatar celebrates its National Day by engaging young sports fans. That’s a very noble gesture by QFA to have their pavilion at Darb Al Saai.”
Valentino San Gil, President of Guam Football Federation, said: “Enjoying football and providing an ideal environment for children and families is very important. This is what we experienced during our visit to the event area of ??the Qatar National Day celebrations in Darb Al Saai.”
Gil added: “The Qatar Football Association is very proactive with its contributions towards community programs. I am amazed to see the involvement of the football loving communities in Qatar.”
Earlier, on Wednesday, Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, featured in a friendly football tournament at the Al Duhail Stadium that also involved football officials who were attending the FIFA Executive Football Summit.
The match also attracted retired Dutch star Wesley Sneijder who plays for Al Gharafa. Cameroon player Samuel Eto’o of Qatar Sports Club was also present.