Not Just A Game

Jafla Alhajri, Qatar

My name is Jafla Alhajri. I was born and grew up in Doha, Qatar. My story with football started when I was five, kicking the ball for no reason. I grew up and then I found there was a big reason behind that, and I’m still following my goals in life through football, as a player and coach. My family is not into football as much as me, but they watch sometimes. My uncles are so crazy about football and they used to play also. I support many teams in each league, Al Sadd in Qatar, in England I’m a big fan of Liverpool, Real Madrid in Spain, Internazionale in Italy. I have played for a lot of different teams, starting with Al Ahli, then Al Sadd, Al Gharafa, Qatar SC and also the Qatar University team, where we have an open tournament for female futsal every year. 

Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken? 

I’m a photographer, it’s one of my favorite hobbies, so I’m always taking random photos in random places for random people. I like doing photography that way. I started taking photos in 2009 with a Nikon camera. I took photos in Aspire Park, Aspire Zone, and some little parks in Doha. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

I’m into football, so I know exactly what football can do for people, both adults and children. The passion, happiness, reassurance, hope...It’s not just a game, it’s a smooth way to unity.

What is your favourite photo?

For one photo I was sitting on the ground to see all the view. The colors are amazing too! 

Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed? 

Something lovely happened, a boy was playing with his father and his younger brother, so I talked to them about what I was doing. They were so excited. They are from Kurdistan. 

What changes are happening in Qatari football culture?

First of all, the awareness is increasing year by year. The government is making football part of contemporary life, people here can’t live without football. Football is the number one game, and it is becoming a routine.

What is the most surprising or interesting part of Qatari football culture?

There’s a lot of social memories of our football history, especially when our U20 national team did a great job in the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia, when they reached the Final.

Why is football so important for your community? 

I think football can develop a lot of things in our community, if we look at education, human rights, and the environment. Football can be the best way to develop.

What are the opportunities for female footballers in Qatar? 

Females are so excited about what is happening here to help develop women’s football. There are a lot of changes, which improve their passion for football.

What does football mean to you?

This is the hardest question, people are always asking me why I love football that much, or why I am just talking about it. I remember that sometimes in school I used to play in class with a plastic bottle…I think that is the answer. I just want to say it’s in my blood. 

What will be the biggest impact of the World Cup in 2022?

As we know football can change a lot of different things in different ways. But it’s the first time the World Cup is in the Middle East – it is a huge experience and it will have an unexpected good impact.

What is the future for football in Qatar?

Qatar always looks to the future in all ways, so when it comes to sports, especially football, it strives with hard effort for the best results. The biggest example is Aspire Academy. Qatar is always growing in football and the World Cup is the biggest part.