Early Beginnings of the Qatari football

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Early Beginnings

The advent of football at Qatar dates back to the year of 1948, accompanied by the arrival of oil companies. The new game's popularity expanded immediately, which led to the establishment of Al Najah as the country’s first football club in 1950.

The athletic union

These ongoing efforts contributed to the formation of the first governing body in Qatari sport "the athletic union" headed by sheikh "Suhaim bin Hamad" alongside "Hitmi Al "Hitmi", "Majed bin Saad", and "Khalifa Al Mutawah" as members.

However, this committee lasted only for a few months, due to the resignation of its members.

Arranging Matches

Unlike nowadays, the organization of football lacked competence and experience. So matches were arranged by oral agreement or by simply writing a letter, conventionally, bringing a cup was the responsibility of the team that called for the match in the first place.

First football tournament ever

Under the supervision of Qatar Oil Company, the first football tournament ever in Qatar was held at the city of Dukhan. Despite the participation of several Doha teams – including Al Najah – host team Dukhan managed to win the 1951 Izzadeen tournament.

Pukett cup

Qatar Oil Company replaced the old competition with a new one, Pukett cup Kicked off during the 1957 season, Al Najah went on to win the cup for the first time in their history.

Transfer market

Whether locally or regionally, Rules and regulations were not very restrictive about players moving from one club to another, just a resignation letter and 10 Indian rupees were required of the player who is wishing to move. This undemanding system was in effect until the year1962.

Foreign players

Qatari clubs were booming with foreign players throughout the 1950s until the 1970s, players from Sudan, Egypt, Somalia, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Ethiopia… enriched Qatari football and played an enormous role in spreading the game among local fans.

Contracts were not signed to recruit foreign players; instead, they were employed in governmental administrations or private companies.