The Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) Awards for 2018-19 were distributed at the sprawling theatre inside the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha’s Education City on Tuesday, 30th April, in the presence of an array of dignitaries who included officials, celebrities, heads of clubs, coaches, players and media representatives.

The annual awards presented were Best Player, Best Under-23 Player, Best Coach, Top Scorer (Mansour Muftah Award), Best Referees and Football For All.

The voting for the best player and best Under-23 player was held in two stages — after the end of first and second legs of QNB Stars League. However, voting for the best coach was held only once, after the end of league competition.

QNB Stars League team coaches, Qatar national team coach, Qatar Olympic team coach, team managers, media representatives, representative of QFA, representative of Qatar Stars League (QSL), as well as president and Board Members of QFA participated in the voting process.

Al Sailiya’s coach Sami Trabelsi and club’s Vice-President Ali bin Rashid Al Marri received Special Recognition mementoes from QFA Vice-President Mr. Saud Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi.

A short video on former Qatar international and media personality Obaid Juma, who passed away during the season, was shown at the ceremony.

The following were the awards:

Football For All Award

This award is given to individual/individuals or institution who contribute to the growth of football culture in the society.

The Yarmouk Preparatory School for Boys won the award for its role in organising sports events and activities. The most notable among them was the schools’ football festival held on 21st November, 2018, under the auspices of Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and QSL. More than 350 students, representing 30 schools, participated in it.

QFA Board Member Mr. Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Boenain presented the award to school Principal Mr. Ibrahim Al Aidan.

Best Referees

Abdulrahman Al Jassim, Taleb Salem Al Marri and Saoud Ahmed were adjudged the Best Referees. This award was first instituted in the 2016-17 season in recognition of the efforts of referees.

The award was presented by Qatar’s former FIFA referee Mr. Rustam Bakr.

Top Scorer (Mansour Muftah Award)

Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah of Al Sadd won the Mansour Muftah Award for the top scorer, having netted a record number of 39 goals in the QNB Stars League. He played a crucial role in Al Sadd’s triumph in the tournament.

Bounedjah received the award from former star Egyptian footballer Mohamed Aboutrika.

Best Under-23 Player

Al Duhail’s Qatar international Bassam Al Rawi emerged as the Best Under-23 Player after beating off competition from Al Ahli’s Abdulrahman Fahmy and Al Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan.

The player received the award from former Morocco international Youssef Chippo.

Best Coach

Al Sadd’s Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira was named as the best coach of the season, following his first league triumph in Qatar. He won the race ahead of Al Sailiya’s Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi and Al Shahania’s Spanish master Jose Murcia.

The award was presented by QFA’s National Teams Management’s Technical Expert Mr. Saeed Al Misnad.

Best Player

Al Sadd and Qatar national team striker Akram Afif bagged the coveted award for the best player after winning the most votes ahead of team-mate Baghdad Bounedjah and Al Duhail forward Almoez Ali.

Akram received the award from QFA Vice-President Mr. Saud Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi.