As a reflection of its experience and leadership in sports administration, Qatar has the most individuals serving on the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) standing committees. Several members of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) were appointed.

Among the approved appointments is Hani Talib Ballan, a member of the Executive Committee of the 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 membership of the AFC Associations Committee. At the same time, Mansour Mohammed 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 Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Executive Director of the Qatar National Teams, was appointed to the membership of the AFC Development Committee, Dana Mohammed 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-Haroon, Executive Advisor to the QFA Secretary-General, was appointed to the AFC Marketing Committee.

These new appointments highlight Qatar's sports administration's extraordinary knowledge and skill. 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 His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association and member of the Executive Council of FIFA on behalf of the continent of Asia, and Hani Talib Ballan, Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, among others.

Moreover, the Qatar Football Association 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 the country hosts in the coming years.

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Source and cover image credit: QFA Press Release

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Tracy Quirino

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