The Qatar International Amateur Football League (QIAFL) was started in 2011 by Darren Mortimer to provide amateur football opportunities for expats in Qatar. The league has expanded significantly since then to include 20 teams and 450 players from 57 different nationalities. The league aims to incorporate players from all 87 nationalities represented in Qatar. Though run by volunteers and sponsored, the league operates in a largely self-funded manner. It provides a competitive but sportsmanlike environment for recreational players, including some former professional players, to enjoy football. The league finals were scheduled to take place on May 10.

1. S
ince Qatar won the FIFA World Cup 2022
bid, there’s been an obvious football fever
gripping the country. Top teams such as
Bayern Munich and Manchester United have
been coming for training camps, international
friendly matches are being hosted and Nene, a
former Paris Saint Germain player, has signed a
contract to play for Al Gharafa. These are just a
few examples of the world-class football action
descending on the oil rich peninsula.
Inspired by this grand-scale football movement,
Darren Mortimer started the Qatar International
Amateur Football League in 2011. The league,
which began with 10 teams of 211 players, has
expanded this year to 20 teams of 450 players.
This rapidly expanding league has attracted
players from various nationalities.“There are
87 nationalities in Qatar. We have 57 of those
nationalities playing in our league. We want all
87. So it’s really quite a big drive to make sure
we incorporate all of them,” said John Savage,
By Mai Akkad
Photography by Jessie Palanca
We take to the the field with the Qatar International Amateur
Football League to learn how football-loving expats are building a
grassroots game movement in Qatar.
QIAFL finals hit the
pitch on May 10!
The Beautiful Game
the league secretary. Even though the league
has 14 sponsors, Savage stresses that in some
way it’s a “self-funding” league. “Everybody who
plays in the league and manages the league and
assists with the league has a passion for football
and we make it happen,” he says. “We’re
inspired by Qatar’s success for the 2022 World
Cup and we aim to be around and assist Qatar
in inspiring people through different football
initiatives.”
From former players from AC Milan and Barcelona
to recreational players, this very diverse league has
a mixed bag of abilities. However, the members
get along very well. “On the pitch maybe a few
tackles will go on in quite heavily but off the pitch,
it is all handshakes,” said Savage. “There is a
definite rivalry but it’s a really good, healthy rivalry.”
Confirming the sportsmanship in the league is
Alex Demianczuk, who has been playing for the
league since its launch. He said, “Although the
league is very competitive, it’s played with good
sportsmanship all round.”
For Demianczuk, a long-time football fan, he
appreciates the opportunity to play against the
pros. “The standard that these players bring
increases the quality of the league,” he said.
“Playing against or even watching these players
can be fascinating as they are usually one step
ahead of everyone else. By analyzing the way
they play in terms of their position on the field,
passes they make, what sort of running they do,
you start to understand why they are doing this
and can improve yourself as a player.”
The teams are gearing up for the cup finals on
May 10. FC Ladzio was the defending champion
for the last two years. However, the three other
teams expected to chase FC Ladzio for the cup
are Alba FC, Garvey Royals and Evo All Stars. For
more on the leagues’ fixtures and results, check
out www.qiafl.org. n
Opponents Micky Kelly and Gabi go head-to-head
QIAFL league secretary John Savage
Sports
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