DOHA: The Emir Cup - the most popular football event in Qatar - has kicked off with fanfare and style last Friday with organizers promising plenty of frills in the coming weeks. The 43rd edition of the Emir Cup, according to Qatar Football Association (QFA), will be run across the country catering mainly to families keen to enjoy quality time during games. With sponsor support coming in from Ooreddo and Fifty One East, the Emir Cup has earmarked promotional activities around the country, QFA said. The promotional activities will now be run on May 8 and 9 when the Emir Cup bandwagon reaches Landmark Mall but first the activities kick off at Museum of Islamic Art on May, 5 and 6. QFA has planned activities on weekends targeting family crowd on Fridays and Saturdays. EXCITING EVENTS Exciting family fun was witnessed in Al Wakra last Friday when people turned out in droves to be part of Emir Cup activities. Children took special part in fun and games organised at the venue with many calling for the event to be run on regular basis. The 'Kids Corner' was a particular hit with young children. Egyptian national Ahmed Ibrahim said: "I was pleased to be at Al Wakra Park where scores of people had turned up to be part of Emir Cup festivities. I am sure children enjoyed themselves immensely. The young kids in our society need more of such programs." Sudanese national Abdel Karim Mustafa said: "I consider this time a special occasion. I enjoy it, my friends enjoy it. We all look forward to the final. Me and my friends - we all want to be in the stands when the two best teams play the final." Commercial partners of Emir Cup also featured prominently, handing out prizes to young children at the program. The sponsors have promised more activity and fun at Villaggio and City Centre in the coming days of the Emir Cup. Ali Abdullah Al-Maliki, a football fan to the core, said: "The Emir Cup games are hugely popular and enjoyable for the fans. People of all ages enjoy the matches. I think the popularity of the event will only soar considering the following in football." Hamad Abdullah Al Kuwari, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Marketing and Communication Department at QFA, said: "Every football player and team desires to win the event. It is the same with the coaches who manage the teams at the Emir Cup." He added: "We have noticed that the level of interest only gets richer as the football drama unfolds. There is no doubt that football fever in Qatar picks up when Emir Cup time comes around. This is not just a football event. This is a festival of football." Al Kuwari said: "When we see children and senior people enjoying football, we know things are moving in the right direction. You notice these things when you see kids getting involved in our family activities." Al Kuwari thanked the sponsors for their 'support over the years'.