Al Ahli SC - History

History

The club was founded in 1950 under the name Al Nagah Sports Club, which makes it the oldest sports club in Qatar. Al Nagah SC was established by the founders of another club, called Sawt al-Arab, which was subsequently disbanded. The most prominent of the founders were Naji Musaad, the first president of the club. The club's first headquarters was situated in a residential house and cost 70 Indian rupees per month to rent. In 1964, the club was formally founded under resolution no. 2. Their first match abroad was scheduled to take place against Al Muharraq. After travelling to Bahrain by sea, the club was turned down because their squad was composed foreign players. Instead, they played against Al Nusoor, whom they defeated 3–1.

In 1972, Al Nagah merged with another local club under the current name, Al Ahli Sports Club. The first board of directors was formed with eight members, and the club's colors were officially decided as green and white. Early managers after the merger include Mohammed Kheiri, the first manager of Al Ahli Sports Club, Syrian Abdullah Balash and Sudanese Hassan Osman. In the 1984/85 season, the club received a new headquarters, equipped with modern training and recreational facilities.

In the early nineties, under the presidency of Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Thani, the club was relegated to the Qatari 2nd Division for the first time in its history. In an attempt to improve its younger generation of players by providing them with invaluable first team experience, the youth team had been given an opportunity to earn promotion back to the first division. They were unsuccessful, and only were runners up that year.

The club only has won only one domestic trophy since its formation, the Emir of Qatar Cup, which was won four times, including the very first competition held.