Professional Approach Propels Al Sadd's Rise, Says Al Rumaihi

Kuala Lumpur, November 24 (QNA) - Injecting a professional approach and strategic development of football in Qatar have played a key role in Al Sadd FC's rise to become Asian club champions said Jassim Al Rumaihi, General Secretary of the recently crowned AFC Club Team of the Year. Speaking to www.the-afc.com at the 2011 AFC Annual Award Ceremony at the Manadrin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur where he received the prestigious honour of behalf of the 12-time Qatar champions, Al Rumaihi hailed the efforts at improving the game back in Qatar that propelled Al Sadd to win the continental silverware for the first time since they lifted the Asian Club Championship back in 1989. "Yes, it's a long time for an ambitious club like Al Sadd but it is better not to dwell on the past and instead look towards a bright future," said Al Rumaihi. "Things have changed a lot in the last few years in Qatar with more stress on infrastructure, the professionalization of the league and on youth development so all this effort has paid off." November 5, 2011 will remain etched in golden letters for Al Sadd as the Doha giants became the first Qatar side to win the AFC Champions League when they defeated 2007 ACL winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a penalty shootout that decided an epic final at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, the home of the Korea Republic club. It had taken 22 years for Al Sadd to add another feather to their continental cap but with a sound management structure in place, support from the stakeholders and a strong fan base, Al Rumaihi is confident of more good things to come. "I see a bright future ahead and we will strive to continue to do well. Last season was great but we did little on the domestic front so hopefully we will qualify for the next AFC Champions League and reclaim the continental showpiece. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the AFC administration for such a quality competition like the AFC Asian Champions League. Together we will improve," said Al Rumaihi. (QNA)