Inspired By Football Culture

Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Qatar

Abdulrahman Al Hammadi has played futsal for the Qatar National Team since 2011 and works as an Events & Social Media Specialist at The Qur’anic Botanic Garden. As part of the GOALS program, Abdulrahman tells the story of representing his country, overcoming injury, and Qatari football culture.

For me, football is not just a sport, it is much more than that. Football has instilled in me the ambition and determination to improve myself and develop. It has taught me to accept a loss in a sporting spirit.

In 2017 I underwent serious ankle surgery. The doctor said: “I do not expect that you can play football again, but this operation is so that you can walk on your feet again."

I could not imagine a life with no football. Football is indispensable to me. That is why I doubled my daily rehabilitation and continue to strengthen my ankle to this day. Now I am returning to full fitness. My doctor is very happy for me!

Qatari football culture is unique. Many Qatari families gather every week at the house of the great-uncle or grandfather. As a child, I would wait for these gatherings to play football in that very small area of ​​the house, called Al-Barahah or "the yard."

We would play football for so long. Sometimes we would play even without shoes, because we were using the shoes for goals! Despite the simplicity, I loved these football games. When we returned home at night, we felt like winners. These are my earliest memories of football.

Since then, I have achieved many things, including representing Qatar at Futsal. A highlight of my sports career was being the youngest player to be selected for the Qatar National Futsal Team. I was honored to be in the presence of many great players. I played my first tournament at the first Gulf Futsal Cup.

After my first match with the Qatari national team, I remember that the coach of the Saudi Futsal Team said to me, “Abdulrahman, you will have a great future in this game.” It was a beautiful feeling to hear such positive words from someone with the reputation of the Saudi coach. I learned from players who are older than me and the importance of commitment, discipline, and good manners both on and off the field.

I always received encouragement from my family members and friends. Their moral support is one of the most important reasons for my success in my sports career. I grew up in a sports-loving environment and became a sports lover and an international player. I believe that the ocean that surrounds us is what we will be in the future.

After the injury I suffered in 2017, had it not been for the support of my friends and relatives, I may not have returned to play football again. Their constant encouragement was a major reason for that return, and I will not forget this.

I have always been inspired by football culture in Qatar. I am a fan of the Qatari club Al Sadd SC, the historic club that won many local and Asian championships. I am greatly influenced by Captain Jafal Al-Rashed, a former player of Al-Sadd club and the Qatari national team, as he is a player who made the difference on the field in most matches, whether with the club or the national team.

When I was young I would attend the team's training. During training, Captain Jafal always welcomed us with love and respect. This humility from Captain Jafal left an imprint on me and was a message that no matter the fame; humility, love of people, and lack of arrogance are among the qualities of an ideal captain.

One of my favorite football times of the year is during Ramadan. This has a special atmosphere for the Qatari football community. It is very much about family gatherings, as well as friendships.

Some of the Ramadan tournaments are televised and are always attended by a large audience. It is so exciting to play at these tournaments. These tournaments in particular are imprinted in my memory.

As players, we usually meet at the house of one of the team members before breakfast on the day of the game. It is a wonderful time for building social relationships.

One of the most beautiful Ramadan tournaments was the Ramadan Cup in 2018, which was broadcast on television. Our team was made up of great players such as former Al Sadd SC players Wissam Rizk and Bilal Abdul Rahman and former Al-Arabi SC captain Ibrahim Al Ghanem, in addition to the brilliant broadcaster Mohammed Saadoun Al Kuwari. I was honored to play with these great players.

It is amazing to think I used to watch them play when I was young and now I play with them on the same team!

This year I participated in three Ramadan football tournaments. It is amazing that many Qatari youth and residents of Qatar have the opportunity to participate in these Ramadan tournaments. You see parents, siblings, and friends attending the matches to encourage each other in a very beautiful Ramadan atmosphere.

Every week I play with my friends outside of my club football. I can divide these matches into two:

Firstly, I play friendly matches or “Taqsima” with my close friends from school and the neighborhood. The aim is to gather with close friends, play sports, and have fun. The losing team often has to pay for dinner for the winning team. These matches are played once a week and are usually in indoor halls due to the hot weather in Qatar.

The second type of matches are “challenge” matches, where teams of friends challenge another team. Most of the players are highly skilled and committed. These matches outside of my club remind me of my childhood days where we used to play with friends and relatives. It is the same flavor in terms of competition, trying to win, and rewarding the winning team.

Football also strengthens relationships with friends and family, bringing young and old together. I took a photo of my nephew Saif trying to score a penalty kick against my cousin Saoud. Football is for everyone. I grew up with Saoud. We loved football together and then we started playing for Al-Rayyan SC. We still play friendly matches together on the same team.

It is an incredible year for Qatari football. We have the honor to host the FIFA World Cup. It is a wonderful opportunity for Qatari people to learn about new cultures, gain experiences from others, offer good hospitality, and attend matches with the presence of so many international players.

I have so much love and enthusiasm for the World Cup. I hope with all my heart that the tournament will succeed and we amaze the whole world with the ability of Qatar to organize such an event. It is these events that motivate me to keep practicing and help everyone access the beautiful game.

Qatar will be different after the World Cup, particularly in the economic, tourism and sports fields. After this tournament the world will witness great developments in Qatar, and more people will visit and enjoy the country in the coming years. Interest in sports will increase in every home in Qatar.

Many people around the world who have never visited Qatar before have the idea that Qatar is a backward country with a closed culture and will not be able to host a global event successfully. But hosting the World Cup is an opportunity for Qatar to prove the country can host an exceptional tournament and show people our authentic culture, our tolerance and respect for others, and that sport is for all.