Coaching in Barwa City
Hanson Joseph, Qatar
I am Hanson K Joseph, a photojournalist with Qatar Tribune until recently. Now I am undergoing a training programme for school football coaching with the Qatar Football Association. I plan to become a football coach in one of the schools very soon.
Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken?
Most of the people in the photos are children from Barwa City in Mesaimeer, Doha. Most of the photos were taken at Barwa City where I used to coach the students for free every Saturday. The other photos were taken on a football ground where the coach was discussing the game and the plans for the game with the children.
In one photo children try to get back a ball that got stuck on a Neem tree during their usual evening football match at a busy housing colony compound at Barwa City. The children were in a hurry to recover the ball because of the limited time they had in the evening before getting back to studies. The scene aroused a nostalgic feeling in my mind as it reminded me of my childhood days.
There were kids eagerly watching the penalty shoot out after a tight practice match at Al Sadd sports club. Expatriates were also training before starting their daily football match in a desert area after rain. The area was originally a cricket pitch, but was recently turned into a football field by the players near Barwa City.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
These photos show the growing popularity of football among Indian students. India primarily being a cricket crazy country, there is a fast growing passion for football especially among the youngsters. I think that our children, if molded at an early age, can be great footballers and the talented ones can become well known players.
Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?
These are students of various Indian schools in Qatar. They used to spend their holidays without any activities in their own homes, at their computers – this included my sons. So one day I gathered some children from my neighbouring apartments and started training them in football. I started with a few; it soon grew into large numbers and later we were able to play football in two teams. The children now very enthusiastic, they are no longer more interested in other idle activities. Moreover, they are so keen on football that they rarely go out to play cricket, their favourite game before.
What role does football play in Qatari society?
Football is more or less the national game of the country, as it is the most popular sporting event in Qatar. Qataris are very passionate about football just as they are about horse racing, camel racing or Land cruiser riding.
What changes are happening in Qatari football culture?
The modern era has witnessed several dramatic changes in Qatar football. Football is also enabling the country to become a world leader in sports. With several facilities and world-class stadiums, football is at the centre of all sporting events in Qatar. With the country getting ready to host World Cup 2022, there is already a festival like situation in the country and football fever is gripping the country with every passing day. The winning of the Asian Cup 2019 is yet another turning point and the country is now anticipating the prospect of playing in the World Cup.
What is the most surprising or interesting part of Qatari football?
Qataris have been passionate about football right from their early days and there were several football clubs in the country decades ago. Football has been the favourite outdoor sport of Qatari people for a very long time.
Why is football so important for your community?
The Indian community is a predominantly cricket loving people. But in fact in the 1960s and 70s, football was the most popular game in India. However, from the 1980s onwards, cricket took the place of football and India became a cricketing country. Of late there has been a change in that attitude as more and more people are showing interest in football. Now there is a revival of club football and Indian football is once again coming back to the golden era with the Indian team showing great fighting skills at Asian football level.
What does football mean to you?
Football is a great game and I love it. I grew up playing football in my village, schools and college. Even during my stay in Qatar and Oman, I used to play for various football teams. Now I am planning to become a school football coach and I am taking a training course for it. Every Saturday, I coach children from my neighbourhood free of charge and now I have more than 25 children who regularly come to the football sessions.
What will be the biggest impact of the World Cup in 2022?
The World Cup will transform not only Qatar but also the entire region and will make football the premier game in the whole region and Asia.
What is the future for football in Qatar?
Qatari football is going from better to the best. It is a golden era for the country in football as it won the Asian Cup earlier this year. With the World Cup in 2022, I hope that Qatar will be among the best 25 football teams in the world. With great potential and the able support of the visionary leadership of the country, Qatari football has a very bright future.
