Tribune News Network
Doha
The new football season for 2023-24 of Qatar Stars League (QSL), named Expo Stars League, in collaboration with Expo 2023 Doha, was launched at an impressive ceremony held at the Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel on Monday.
The launch was attended by Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Vice-President of Qatar Football Association (QFA), Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO of QSL, Mansour Al Ansari, General Secretary of QFA, and Mohamed Ali Al Khouri, Secretary-General of Expo 2023 Doha, in addition to club CEOs, coaches, a number of players, guests and representatives of the media.
Preparations for the new season were discussed and the new logo for the Expo Stars League 2023-2024 season was unveiled, according to the co-operation and partnership agreement signed between QSL and Organizing Committee for Expo 2023 Doha. The official ball for the season was also launched.
The new season begins Wednesday with Al Wakrah playing Muaither in the opening match at the Al Janoub Stadium at 6.30pm. The same day, Al Arabi will meet Al Shamal at the Al Thumama Stadium at 8.30pm.
This season all QSL matches will be played at the FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar.
Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications at QSL, welcoming all attendees, wished everyone success at the beginning of the football season. He also praised the distinguished co-operation on the part of all partners, stakeholders and club companies for their efforts to make the season a success at all levels.
He continued, “Thank you to the Organizing Committee for Expo 2023 Doha for its great co-operation with us and we were pleased to sign the partnership agreement. We wish them success in their project to host the Expo, which comes in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
On his part, Dr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development at QSL, confirmed that all arrangements and preparations for the start of the season, which will witness a number of competitions and tournaments including the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, had been completed, as a schedule has been set with various events.
“I also praise the co-operation of club companies, coaches and all parties concerned, and we hope to witness a strong and exciting season in terms of the technical level of clubs that made a number of strong signings and deals. And I wish success to everyone at the beginning of this season.”
Asked about QSL’s growing stature and value with the presence of top notch international professionals, Dr. Abbasi said the main aim is to raise the market value of the league to over 250 million euros.
“While not setting any deadline for the ambitious goal. We seek to raise the market value of the league to over 250 million euros,” he said.
On a strong QSL season ahead, he stressed, “I think this is going to be a very interesting league this season. We’ve had a very tough summer preparing for the upcoming the upcoming season, and we’re going to have an interesting league. But also we have an AFC Champions League matches throughout the season, which we have included into our plan. And by the end of the season we’re going to first finish all the matches of the league and then we will play Qatar Cup and the Amir Cup.”
Nasser Abdullah Al Hajri, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Aspire, said, “The stadiums are ready to host matches as co-ordination has been made fully with the work force of QSL.
“Also, all logistical services have been provided by Aspire for the tournament’s organization in a distinctive way. We wish a strong and great season, and we invite the fans of teams and everyone to enjoy the World Cup stadiums.”
Captain Abdullah Masoud from the Stadium Security Department of the Facilities and Authorities Security Department at the Ministry of Interior, said, “In the first place, we wish success to everyone during this season and we affirm that co-ordination continues with QSL and all parties concerned in order to reach the required readiness.
“Arrangements and preparations are being made in a distinguished way by the Stadium Security Department and we call for adherence to all instructions by security personnel to ensure a distinguished match experience for all fans.”
