DOHA: After months of wait, the 2015 Emir Cup draw was held on Tuesday
as fans prepared to see the start of the country’s most popular
football event.

The Emir Cup, which will be held from 24 April to 23 May, is set to
take place in Qatar Sports Club, Al Arabi Sports Club, Lekhwiya
Stadium, Al Sadd Sports Club, and Al Gharrafa Stadium.

The opening match of the tournament will kick-off at 5:15pm in Al
Arabi Stadium Stadium.

In an impressive ceremony, the country’s football legends joined
current national players along with coaches of the participating teams
and Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) officials at the Ritz Carlton
Hotel on Tuesday.

Mansoor Al Ansari, Secretary General of QFA, Hani Balan, QFA Board
Member, Hamad Al Kuwari, Acting Executive Director of Operations of
QFA were among the officials who attended the ceremony.

The Emir Cup is set to witness the participation of 18 first and
second division teams that will compete to win the most coveted title.

During his welcome speech at the draw ceremony, the Secretary General
of QFA said: “On behalf of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), I am
pleased to welcome you all to the official draw ceremony of the Emir
Cup 2014-15 sports season. We meet again this year to celebrate this
prominent event through which we inaugurate a new edition of the most
prestigious championship in Qatar, the 43rd Emir Cup.”

When addressing the partners of the championship, he added: “You have
been partnering with QFA and continue to partner with us to contribute
directly to the success of this championship, and QFA is delighted for
the fruitful cooperation that has taken place over the past years. The
presence of more than one major partner to support the Emir Cup this
year showcases all the efforts undertaken in order to provide a unique
championship at all levels.”

The draw procedure was conducted by Ali Hmoud Al Naimi, Head of
Competitions in QFA, and was assisted by four former Qatari football
legends; Obaid Gomaa former player of Al Sadd, Majid Al Sayegh former
player of Al Arabi, Adel Khamees former player of Al Gharrafa, and
Mohammed Ghanim Al Rumaihi former player of Al Ahli.