October 11 – The Qatar Foundation and Volkswagen Middle East have agreed a partnership with the aim of supporting capacity-building programmes, specifically for women and girls in football around the region.
As part of the deal, Volkswagen Middle East will become the official sponsor of the Qatar Women & Girls Football Initiative, who are dedicated to nurturing grassroots and amateur athletes in women’s football.
As part of the Qatar Foundation’s upcoming 2023-2024 women’s football season, the competition will feature both local talent and international teams to celebrate Volkswagen’s commitment to promoting and supporting women’s football in the region.
“We believe that everyone, including women and girls, should have opportunities to participate in sports. Sport instils healthy mindsets, encourages discipline, teaches leadership skills, and demonstrates the values of teamwork; it helps people to develop a sense of identity and community; and it builds confidence and determination,” said Machaille Hassan Al-Naimi, Executive Officer of the Vice Chairperson and CEO Office of Qatar Foundation, a state-led non-profit organisation in Qatar, founded in 1995.
“Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 was a testament to the value that sport brings, not only to Qatar, but to our wider society, and we want to build on that legacy by affording girls more opportunities to refine their skills and excel.”
Volkswagen Middle East has historically been a partner of Qatar Foundation, supporting development programs such as the Future Leaders in Football summit, alongside the German Football Team.
“This new partnership with Qatar Foundation represents a continuation of our commitment to support women in sports, particularly in football, and to provide them with tangible opportunities,” said Matthias Ziegler, Managing Director of Volkswagen Middle East.
“Through this partnership, we are not just sponsoring events, we are nurturing dreams and creating a more inclusive future for the sport of football. We look forward to working with Qatar Foundation in harnessing the power of sports to foster the next generation of leaders.”
The Education City Stadium, which featured in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will now serve as a sporting hub for women and girls, with a focus on education, health and wellbeing as part of the Qatar foundations legacy plans.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734917667labto1734917667ofdlr1734917667owedi1734917667sni@g1734917667niwe.1734917667yrrah1734917667