The Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards for 2018-19 were distributed at the sprawling theatre inside the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha's Education City on Tuesday, in the presence of an array of dignitaries who included officials, celebrities, heads of clubs, coaches, players and media representatives. The annual awards presented were Best Player, Best Under-23 Player, Best Coach, Top Scorer (Mansour Muftah Award), Best Referees and Football For All.

QNB Stars League team coaches, Qatar national team coach, Qatar Olympic team coach, team managers, media representatives, representative of QFA, representative of Qatar Stars League (QSL), as well as president and Board Members of QFA participated in the voting process. Al Sailiyas coach Sami Trabelsi and clubs Vice-President Ali bin Rashid Al Marri received Special Recognition mementoes from QFA Vice-President Mr. Saud Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi. A short video on former Qatar international and media personality Obaid Juma, who passed away during the season, was shown at the ceremony.

The following were the awards: Football For All Award This award is given to individual/individuals or institution who contribute to the growth of football culture in the society.

The Yarmouk Preparatory School for Boys won the award for its role in organising sports events and activities. The most notable among them was the schools football festival held on 21st November, 2018, under the auspices of Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and QSL. More than 350 students, representing 30 schools, participated in it.

QFA Board Member Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Boenain presented the award to school Principal Mr. Ibrahim Al Aidan. Abdulrahman Al Jassim, Taleb Salem Al Marri and Saoud Ahmed were adjudged the Best Referees. This award was first instituted in the 2016-17 season in recognition of the efforts of referees. The award was presented by Qatars former FIFA referee Mr. Rustam Bakr.

Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah of Al Sadd won the Mansour Muftah Award for the top scorer, having netted a record number of 39 goals in the QNB Stars League. He played a crucial role in Al Sadds triumph in the tournament. Bounedjah received the award from former star Egyptian footballer Mohamed Aboutrika.

Al Duhails Qatar international Bassam Al Rawi emerged as the Best Under-23 Player after beating off competition from Al Ahlis Abdulrahman Fahmy and Al Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan. The player received the award from former Morocco international Youssef Chippo. Al Sadds Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira was named as the best coach of the season, following his first league triumph in Qatar. He won the race ahead of Al Sailiyas Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi and Al Shahanias Spanish master Jose Murcia. The award was presented by QFAs National Teams Managements Technical Expert Saeed Al Misnad.

Al Sadd and Qatar national team striker Akram Afif bagged the coveted award for the best player after winning the most votes ahead of team-mate Baghdad Bounedjah and Al Duhail forward Almoez Ali. Akram received the award from QFA Vice-President Saud Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi.

Source: QNA

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Binu Cherian

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