The Best Buddies Inclusive Friendship Football Championship concluded, aiming to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in genuine social inclusion experiences through sports and recreational activities, as part of the Best Buddies Qatar program.

The championship was held under the supervision of the Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and through a partnership between the Youth Committee of Al Khor Sports Club and the Best Buddies–Qatar initiative, which is affiliated with Al Shafallah Center.

Mr. Saleh Mohammed Al-Obaidli, Head of the Youth Committee at Al Khor Sports Club, said: “We are always pleased to cooperate and partner with Best Buddies–Qatar in all its outstanding events and activities, which consistently work to integrate youth with disabilities with their peers without disabilities, in order to create an aware generation capable of facing practical life, with no obstacles standing in the way of achieving their hopes and ambitions.” He also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all those working at Best Buddies–Qatar for their efforts.

For her part, Ms. Mashael Al-Misnad, Director of the Best Buddies Qatar Program, one of the programs under Al Shafallah Center, stated that the Best Buddies Inclusive Friendship Football Championship, organized in cooperation and partnership with Al Khor Sports Club, aims to enhance participants’ capacity to take part in organizing sports events and activities, and to strengthen values of comprehensive social and sports inclusion. She expressed her appreciation for the partnership and cooperation with Al Khor Sports Club, whose slogan for the event was “Inclusive Friendship Through Football,” noting that the club was a key partner in organizing the championship. She also emphasized that the tournament was distinguished by its inclusive nature, bringing together people with disabilities and their peers without disabilities.

She further pointed out that the target group for participation consisted of members of Best Buddies Qatar clubs in government schools.

It is worth noting that the championship featured 40 participants along with their partners from students in government preparatory and secondary schools. Participating preparatory schools included Abdullah Al-Misnad Preparatory School, Al-Ahnaf bin Qais Preparatory School, Talha bin Ubaidullah Preparatory School, and Al-Kaaban Preparatory School.