DOHA: Qatar’s Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al-Thani and Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani attended the Qatar’s Players’ Association (QPA) ceremony. The ceremony was arranged to celebrate careers of former players, football events and related activities. The event took place at Al-Saif Hall in Katara. The event was sponsored by QFA among others. The ceremony was attended by members of the Executive Committee of QFA, the presidents of the football clubs, the president of QPA Salman Al Ansari and the Qatar Stars League (QSL) players. During the ceremony, a number of former Qatari football stars received honorary shields in recognition of their contribution to Qatari football, both with their clubs and the national teams. The ceremony witnessed the honoring of seven retired players: Ahmed Salman, Abdel Nasser Al Obaidly, Zamil Al Kuwari, Mahmoud Sufi, Juma Salem, Wissam Rizk and Ibrahim Al Ghanim. “The QPA is keen to honour former players and officials who have contributed wholeheartedly to the growth of the game in the country and the region,” Al Ansari said in his remarks. The QFA held a meeting with the Committee of Veterans of QFA which was represented by President Ali Al-Ali. The ceremony began with a review of the names of the honored players and their journeys with national teams and clubs and the achievements in their long journey. The review was accompanied by videos from a large screen in the concert hall. Some memories of their brilliance were restored in exciting and beautiful footage of several goals they scored in their careers. Ahmed Salman (late) was honored by the President of Qatar Sports Club Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad bin Nasser Al-Thani. The award was received by his son Yusuf Ahmed Salman. Former star of Al-Annabi and Al Gharafa, Mohammed Al-Rumaihi, vice-chairman of the Veterans Committee, was also honored. Al Wakra’s retired star Gomaa Salem, and Karma Ibrahim Khalil Al Mohannadi, member of the Executive Committee of the QFA, were also honored. Al Rayyan’s Al Zamil Al Kuwari was honored by Club President Sheikh Saud Bin Khalid Al Thani. Al Obaidly, the national team player and the former Al Sadd Club star, was handed a shield by the Minister of Culture and Sports. Al Sadd star and former Qatar captain Wissam Rizk was honored by ex-national team and Al-Rayyan player Younis Ahmed. Al-Gharafa stalwart Ibrahim Al-Ghanim was given a special shield by QFA President.