Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar is gearing up for an unprecedented event that merges the passion for football with the noble cause of education. Dubbed the ‘Match for Hope’, this charity football extravaganza is slated to take place on February 23, promising an evening of excitement and philanthropy.
Organized by Q Life, a cultural platform under the International Media Office, in partnership with Education Above All (EAA) and the Qatar Football Association, the event aims to rally support for education initiatives across six countries: Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania, Pakistan, Palestine, and Sudan. With a fundraising target exceeding $1 million, the Match for Hope aims to tackle pressing issues such as access to quality education, gender gaps, and out-of-school rates in these regions.
At a recent press conference held at the stadium, Qassim Al Jaidah, the Project Manager of Match for Hope, emphasized the global significance of the event. He highlighted how it brings together diverse cultures under the common banner of football and sportsmanship. Al Jaidah expressed optimism that such initiatives would inspire youth to initiate similar projects worldwide, hinting at the possibility of future iterations of the event.
The star-studded affair will feature renowned content creators and former World Cup legends, adding an extra layer of excitement and diversity to the match. With personalities like Aboflah and Chunkz leading the teams and esteemed managers such as Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger overseeing the proceedings, the event promises a blend of competitive spirit and entertainment.
Abdullah Al Bakri, Engagement Manager from Education Above All, reiterated the organization’s unwavering commitment to providing educational opportunities to marginalized children globally. He emphasized the pivotal role of sports in achieving developmental goals and fostering peace and integration. Al Bakri stressed that the funds raised from the event would support various education initiatives led by EAA, ranging from building classrooms to bridging gender gaps in education.
Ali Al Sulaiti, Venue Manager of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, assured attendees of a seamless experience, highlighting the stadium’s illustrious history of hosting major events, including the recent FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Tickets for the Match for Hope can be purchased online, starting from QR25, offering spectators the chance to witness not only an exhilarating football match but also contribute to a worthy cause.
Participating players and popular figures: Harry Pinero, Just Riadh, Angry Ginge, Billy Wingrove, Sean Garnier, AJ Shabeel, Roberto Carlos, Jonny Carery, David Villa, Vuj, Anders Hofman, XDUttinho, Ahmad Aburob, Aitch, Ammar Kandil, Hanody Awesome, Kristen Hanby, Sharky, Samy Chaffai, Agent 00, Claude Makelele, Ricardo Kaka, Thomas Brag, Jamm (Shoot for Love), Caspar Lee, Eman SV2, Amine Radi, Danny Aarons, Markitos, Thogden, and Adel Khamis.