The Peninsula
Strong confrontations are in the cards as 24 teams compete for top honours under four groups during the 4th Banks and Financial Institutions League (BFIL), according to the official draw of the tournament.
The draw ceremony of the tournament was held at Rotana City Center Hotel, Doha, yesterday in the presence of Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communication of Qatar Football Association (QFA); Salah Salman Al Mohannadi, Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) Head of Training and Development, and Tournament Director, Ali Al Ethba, Qatar Central Bank’s Head of Government Relations.
The draw was conducted by Hussein Al Sharshani, the league’s General Supervisor and Ahmed Al Rumaihi representative of the QFA’s Competitions and Players Affairs Department, with the participation of former Qatari football stars Khalid Salman and Adel Khamis.
The QFA is organising the fourth edition of the league for the first time as part of its’ ongoing efforts in cooperating with government entities in the country and its’ 2021 vision to organise various football activities for the different segments of the community. QFA’s involvement in the league highlights the influential role of the banking and financial sector in the country and demonstrates QFA’s objective to encourage greater community participation in football.
The league, which will be held on the training field of Al Gharafa Sports Club, will feature the participation of 24 teams and kick off on February 2 as part of QFA’s activities for the National Sports Day.
The 7-a-side league will start with group stage matches in which the first and second place teams of each of the four groups will qualify to the quarter-finals which will be held on February 16. The semi-finals will take place on February 18 while the final and third place match will be held on February 20.
A press conference was held following the draw and was attended by Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) Director of Marketing and Communications and Salah Salman Al Mohannadi, Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) Head of Training and Development, and Tournament Director in which they discussed the rules and regulations of the league in addition to the objectives both organisations wish to achieve through organising the league.
Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Qatar Football Association said: “We value the relationship and cooperation we have with the Qatar Central Bank to organise this tournament.”
“This league demonstrates our commitment to support community programs in the country by spreading football amongst all sectors of the community and government entities. This is in accordance with the directives received by the President of the QFA, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, whom sees social responsibility programs and activities as extremely important.”
Salah Salman Al Mohannadi, Qatar Central Bank’s (QCB) Head of Training and Development, and Tournament Director said: “We thank the Qatar Football Association for coming on board to organise the league and for all their efforts in ensuring the success of the competition. This year we have allocated cash prizes for the first, second, third and fourth place teams as well as cash prizes for the best player, top scorer, best goalkeeper and best coach.”