DOHA: Football teams in the country are ready for the first event of the new season - the Sheikh Jassim Cup - which kicks-off this Saturday at four different venues.
The Sheikh Jassim Cup will bring together 18 local clubs who also take part in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) and the Second Division.
The 18 sides have been divided into four groups with the top four competing in the semi-finals.
The tournament will initially follow a round-robin format and then a knock-out theme from the quarter-finals stage.
The event was first held started in 1977 with Al Sadd emerging as first champions of the tournament.
This week’s Sheikh Jassim Cup will be a prelude to the 2013-14 QSL season set to begin in September.
Commenting on the tournament, Hamad Al Mannai, Director of Competitions in Qatar Football Association (QFA), said: “Since the Sheikh Jassim Cup is the first event of the new season, we have completed all preparations from an organisation perspective.
“We have allocated four stadiums for this year’s event - Al Khor Stadium, Qatar Sports Club, Al Gharrafa Stadium, and Al Ahli Stadium. All matches will simultaneously start at 9:45pm.”
Khalid Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communications of QFA said: “We would like to wish every club participating in this tournament good luck and hope they have a good time.”
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