City Exchange QIA Champions League 2023: countdown begins after glittering launch

 

 

Doha – Qatar, 7 May 2023:  The countdown has begun for the ninth edition of the Qatar Indian Association (QIA)'s flagship football tournament - the All India Champions League. The City Exchange QIA Champions League 2023 (QIACL23) is all set to kick off on May 18 at the Doha Stadium.

 

Since its inception in 2013, QIA has earned plaudits for its innovative tournament concept, which brings together professional footballers from India and expatriates living in Qatar in a month-long footballing extravaganza. As in previous years, QIACL23 is being held with the support and patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Qatar Football Association.

 

Tournament organisers are putting the final touches ahead of the first game of the 2023 edition, which will also celebrate the tenth anniversary of QIA’s founding. As part of the preparations, QIA formally welcomed sponsors and participating teams during the official launch ceremony and group stage draw, held at the Giwana Ballroom at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha.

 

Mr. Ali Al Salat, Head of Media & Communications at the Qatar Football Association, and Mr. Sharaf P Hameed, CEO of tournament title sponsor City Exchange, were the chief guests on the occasion. They were joined by Mr. EP Abdulrahman, President of the Indian Sports Centre, and Mr. Nihad Ali, General Secretary of the Indian Sports Centre.

Mr. EP Abdulrahman inaugurated the function and spoke about his experience with QIA, over the past decade.

 

City Exchange was officially then unveiled as the tournament’s title sponsor, with Mr. Sharaf P Hameed presented with a special QIA 10th Anniversary badge.

 

QIA officials and the chief guests addressed the media at a press conference, in which QIA Advisory Committee chairman Mr. Mibu Jose, Mr. EP Abdulrahman and Mr. Ali Al Salat addressed the gathering. Tournament Head Mr. Safeerurahman explained the format of QIACL23 and answered questions from the press.

 

This was followed by the signing ceremony in which several firms signed on as official sponsors and partners of the QIACL23. Care n Cure, Al Suwayed Group, Grand Mall, Black Olive, MBM, Clikon, Land Royal, Naseem Medical Centre, Gulf Light, MP Traders, Athlen Sports Events, Dandy Juice, Al Habari Group, Safa Auto Care Garage, QBOX, 98.6 FM Radio Malayalam, Nice Water, Force X, Desert Line, Tesla International, Seashore Group, Al Shaikh Logistics, and Concord International signed the sponsorship agreements with QIA.

 

Finally, the tournament group stage draw was held, revealing the teams in each group.

 

The group stage draw is as follows:
GROUP A: Seashore Mates Qatar FC, Friday Fifa Manjeri FC, Force X Care N Cure FC, Grand Mall FC
GROUP B: City Exchange FC, Ole FC, QIE Speedforce, Orbit FC

The tournament will begin on May 18 and last until June 16.