QIFF Super Cup 2024 kicks off at Doha Stadium

Published: 3 November 2024

Doha

The 15th edition of the QIFF Super Cup 2024 began with a vibrant inauguration on Friday at Doha Sports Stadium. This year, the Qatar Indian Football Forum (QIFF) once again brings its renowned inter-district football competition to Qatar, featuring a lineup of teams from different districts across Kerala, India.

This year’s tournament spans over a month, with matches scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays, and the final match set for December 13, 2024.

In his opening address, QIFF President Sharaf P Hameed said: “It is my honour to present the 15th edi-tion of the QIFF tournament, the biggest Indian football tournament in Qatar. I would like to express our gratitude to the Qatar Football Association and other authorities for their support over the years. We have eleven teams representing the diverse districts of Kerala.”

“By February next year, we’re introducing a new tournament where players will be selected through an auction, allowing teams to bid for players to represent them. This approach will ensure balanced talent across all teams. Unlike the current format, this new premier league will be open to football players from all over India who are here in Qatar, not just from Kerala,” Sharaf told News Trail.

The new league is expected to take place a month or two before the next QIFF Super Cup edition.
The inauguration ceremony saw QIFF board members, flag bearers from the 11 participating teams, sponsors, and esteemed guests all taking the field. In a symbolic kick-off, Sharaf Hameed, Abdul Rahiman, and Alisher Nikimbaev, a technical expert from the Qatar Football Association, marked the official start of the tournament.