The Qatar Stars League (QSL) launched the new football season (2019-20) at the W Hotel in Doha on Monday, 19th August, 2019, in the presence of its CEO Mr. Hani Taleb Ballan.

Also present on the occasion were Mr. Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Marketing, Sales and Communication, Mr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development, Directors as well as Heads of Departments at the QSL, Captain Saeed Juma Al Hitmi from Stadium Security Department and a number of club officials and representatives of the media.

The QSL’s Mobile Application for smartphones, designed by Qatari company Al Konat, was unveiled and will be a new media platform for Qatar football fans. It allows users functions such as news of tournaments organised by QSL, news and follow-up of clubs, special pages about clubs to help the fans keep in touch with everything related to his favourite club and purchase of e-tickets and Season Cards. It will have two more phases in the development process, including the possibility of buying sports equipment and clothing for clubs via the online store.

The official ball for the 2019-20 season was also unveiled. The Qatar league is the first to use it, with a special design only for the QSL from Molten.

At the beginning of the Press conference, Captain Saeed Juma, who wished all clubs success in the new season, praised the great co-operation between them and the QSL for the success of the football season as well as their readiness after having held many meetings with QSL for liaison and arrangements for the new season.

On his part, Mr. Abbassi opined that everyone was waiting for the season to start, and that the QSL had prepared and equipped itself in order to provide a special season. He expected a strong league this season in view of the contracts signed by clubs with foreign and local players.

On the early start of the season, he said, “Due to a hectic season during which many tournaments will be hosted by the State of Qatar, we would like to point out that the calendar was set in a way that doesn’t put pressure on the players, instead letting them perform steadily throughout the season.”

As for the new ball, he explained that the QSL analysed the balls used in the major leagues in Europe and Asia, and tried this one out last season. It has the same specifications as that of the one used in the Asian Cup final, won by the Qatar national team. It is being used for the first time in the QNB Stars League.

Mr. Al Kuwari said preparations for the 2019-20 season had started immediately after the end of last season, through arrangements and co-ordination with football club companies. He noted that there would be many marketing initiatives, in addition to intense communication with clubs in the upcoming period in order to get their ideas on how to attract the public more.

On the QSL’s new mobile application, he said, “This is one of the initiatives that we were eager to offer the public, in co-operation with Al Konat company which designed it. Due to our keenness to keep abreast of events, this app will be continuously developed with added features.”