Al-Mesaimeer Sports Club (Arabic: نادي المسيمير الرياضي) is a Qatari multi-sports club based in Mesaimeer. Its football department plays in the Qatari Second Division. It was previously known as Al-Nahda Sports Club, then Al-Shoala, and finally, today it is known as Mesaimeer Sports Club. It was promoted to the first division of Qatari football for the first time in the 2014–15 season.[1]
History
Formation
The club was unofficially formed in 1996 (under the name "Al-Nahda Sports Club"), located in Doha due to administrative and financial dependence of the Qatar Football Association.[2]
In 1998 His Highness the former Heir Apparent Sheikh Jasim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, along with the Qatar Olympic Committee, officially founded the club followed by the formation of a constituent general assembly and the election of a board of directors. In light of that period the club's name was changed to Al-Shoala.[2]
Relocation to Mesaimeer
In 2000, the construction of the club's official headquarters in the Mesaimeer area was completed under the supervision of National Olympic Committee, consisting of an administrative building, clothes changing rooms and a football field.[2]
The board of directors' plans were re-examined to attract the local community to the club and form a base of players in all age groups starting from the juniors to the first team and provided facilities and services ranging from sports equipment and accessories to trainers, educators and advice from professional players.[2]
The club began its participation in sporting events and the first team was runner-up in the second league numerous times. After a period of time, junior and youth players were playing against big teams and beating them, prompting the board of directors to show diligence and attention towards the younger players. They shifted their resources towards them and trained them well and provided them with attention outside the club, assisting them in their school studies, in addition to support within the club, in the hope that they will one day represent the first team.[2]
In the year 2004, due to the desire of the members of the club's founders and employees, the club changed its name from Al-Shoala to Al-Mesaimeer Sports Club, in accordance to the region of where the club and its headquarters are situated.[2]
In the 2014–15 season, the club finished in second place in the Qatargas League under Yousef Adam, thus winning promotion to the Qatar Stars League for the first time in its history.[1]
Name history
1996 : Founded as Al-Nahda Sports Club
1998 : The club renamed to Al-Shoala Sports Club
2004 : The club renamed to Al-Mesaimeer Sports Club
Stadium
Built in 1998, the Al-Mesaimeer Stadium spans 36,000 m2 and features two football pitches, locker rooms and an administrative office.[3] However, due to its insufficient capacity and facilities, the club frequently uses the 3,000-capacity Al-Sailiya Stadium as its homegrounds.[4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^"QOC Venue Booklet"(PDF). Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). 24 March 2015. p. 78. Archived from the original(PDF) on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
^"Club profile". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
^ ab"Technical staff" (in Arabic). mesaimeerclub.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
