For nineteen-year-old Joseph Ekeoma Williams, who wants to play in the FIFA World Cup in the future, Qatar is a good starting point for his career.
Besides having world-class facilities, he said there are good training programmes, experienced coaches and trainers in Qatar.
The best teams in Europe and in other countries also visit and train in the country, he added.
“The chance to watch the players is already inspiring for us,” said Williams.
He also cited the country’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022, where various opportunities for young players like him may be available.
The Nigerian football player was part of a team participating at the “Welcome to Aspire Ramadan tournament”.
His team, Al Wadi, won their first game on Sunday night against the “Step into Health” team, 8-0.
“Our game was fantastic, we won 8-0, but the most important thing is that there were no casualties, no injuries, none at all,” he told Gulf Times.
Organised by Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), the community-inspired event features nine different sports which promote healthy and active lifestyles.
Football matches are being held at the Outdoor Pitch 10 and Warm Up Track.
On his team’s performance, Williams noted that the team members did well both individually and as a group.
He believes that they will play even better in the next matches. “We will do our best.”
Williams said that his teammates were too strong “for our opponents tonight: (we had the advantage of) speed, endurance, balance position, and kicks”.
He describes the AZF’s tournament as encouraging, inspiring young players to excel in this sport.
Williams, who came to Qatar three months ago, does not belong to any of the football clubs yet. This was also his first time to join a league in Doha competing against 15 other teams.
Given the opportunity, he wants to go to Europe two years from now and play with some of the best teams in the league.
“For me Qatar is a starting point. I want to see how it is in the Arab world. The opportunity to play in Qatar just came, so I took it. My plan is to go to Europe,” stressed Williams, who started playing the game at age nine.
His is a family of footballers; his father, who played in the national level, trained him.
Williams said that Nigeria is a football-loving country, which is one of the reasons why they are passionate about the game.
“My father encouraged me and I want to do my best,” he said.
Meanwhile, defending champions Al-Andalus proved their might by beating Mreakh 6-0 during the opening day matches, while Flamengo trounced Tadmur/ROOTS company 2-1.
The football matches will be held every night at the Warm Up Track and Outdoor Pitch 10 starting at 9.15pm. The finals match is set on July 24.
In basketball, Oryx gored Uno while HMC defeated Doomie.
Sustainable Energy overpowered the Roots Bulls.
Qassim al-Hemdi, a representative of the Supreme Committee for Health team, earlier said that the programme will help players maintain their fitness level during the month of Ramadan.
The Welcome to Aspire Ramadan Festival is open to all members of the community.
