29 October 2014

Al Ahli set up Philippines-Nepal charity match in Doha

Ikoli Victor

doha

QATAR Stars League (QSL) club Al Ahli on Tuesday announced plans to raise money for building a permanent site for the Philippine School Doha through an international friendly match between Philippine and Nepal at Al Arabi Stadium in Doha on Friday.

The match will feature the national teams of both countries with famous musical artistes to entertain the large Filipino and Nepali communities.

Speaking at the press conference, Philippine ambassador HE Crescente Relacion said:"First of all I would like to thank the QSL and QFA for making this a reality. Also I want to thank the Ahli club for their commitment in making this possible to support the Philippine Doha School.

"This is a grand match because the two nations. The last time we met we won. We are inviting the Filipino and Nepali communities and expatriates to come and watch this match," the ambassador said.

"To spice up the match, Al Ahli Sports Club has invited famous music artistes from both the countries to entertain fans before and after the game," he added.

Khalid Mubarak al Kuwari, Chief Operations Officer of QFA, said:"We are proud to see two national teams with large expat presence coming to play in Qatar with Ahli club as the facilitator."

He added that QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani welcomes the development and is happy with the initiative as it blends sports and education.

"The match proceeds is going towards the building project of the Philippine School Doha," al Kuwari said.

Hassan al Kuwari, QSL Head of Events, said,"This is a new initiative from Ahli club as part of their social responsibility which is different from the last one (to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines). This is focuses on education and sport."

"Qatar Stars League will donate 5,000 tickets to be sold that will be donated to the Philippine School Doha," the QSL official added.

The principal of the school, Dr Alexander S Acosta expressed his gratitude to the football authorities and enjoined football enthusiasts to come enmasse to cheer their compatriots.

"This initiative has shown the interest of the authorities in Qatar to help us actualise our dream. The QFA and QSL have been very supportive in the past. And now they have shown it again.

According to the principal, the school was opened 22 years ago and will eternally be grateful for the support of Ahli club that facilitated the initiative. 

"We will not forget this contribution by QFA and QSL in helping us in our time of need," he concluded.

Ahli spokesperson Yacoub Nasser thanked the QFA and QSL for supporting the event.

He also expressed gratitude to the Filipino and Nepali communities for attending the matches of Al Ahi in the past three season.

Al Ahli have a long-standing relationship with the Filipino community, with fans regularly involved in community initiatives and attending matches. The last match between the two nations was in April at the same venue for Friday's match. The Philippines were 3-0 winners.



Qatar Tribune

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