Katara Hospitality and LaLiga Launch World’s First LaLiga Lounge in Doha

• New sports fan experience located at Hotel Park -

• Creating meeting spaces for LaLiga fans of all ages -

   

   

   Katara Hospitality, the leading hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar, today announced its partnership with Spanish football league LaLiga, the sport’s most popular domestic league competition, to launch the world’s first LaLiga Lounge at Hotel Park, a public family-friendly park situated in the heart of Doha’s bustling business district.

   

  The announcement came following a press conference held today at Hotel Park, attended by Mr. Hamad Abdullah Al-Mulla, CEO of Katara Hospitality, Mr. Fernando Sanz, General Director Middle East and North Africa of LaLiga, Mr. Adolfo Bara, General Manager Marketing & Sales of LaLiga among other VIP guests.

   

  The new sports lounge, expected to open Mid of 2017, will offer football fans the opportunity to experience one of the most popular global football brands, LaLiga, in a unique and engaging environment at Katara Hospitality’s newly opened Hotel Park. The lounge will feature various facilities and amenities including big-screen televisions that will broadcast live coverage of matches, an official league shop, and the first themed restaurant for sports fans in Doha.

   

  His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality said: “We are proud to partner with LaLiga to bring the world’s first LaLiga Lounge to the heart of Doha’s business district in Hotel Park. Katara Hospitality has been at the forefront of Qatar’s hospitality industry and has developed a reputation for innovation, having created a series of firsts to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations. We are pleased to today announce yet another first by connecting residents and tourists of Qatar with the world’s most popular football brand through the world’s first LaLiga Lounge in Doha.”

   

  Mr. Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality said: “Our partnership with the Spanish football league, LaLiga, demonstrates our commitment to giving back to our community while promoting social responsibility through our initiatives. With the opening of the world’s first LaLiga Lounge, we will be able to unite and engage fans with the international sport of football through this new restaurant experience in the heart of Doha.”

   

  The launch of LaLiga Lounge at the press conference held in Doha today was followed by a LaLiga Clinic which exhibited exciting football skills of 18 Qatari players, from Aspire Academy, between 10 and 11 years of age. LaLiga Clinic practice sessions performed by Mr. Fernando Sanz alongside LaLiga coach and players.

   

  Aspire Academy was founded in 2004 with the goal to find and develop the best young male Qatari athletes, whilst also providing them with high quality secondary school education. The training philosophy of Aspire Academy is tailored to the capabilities, talents and goals of Qatar as a footballing nation.

   

  Mr. Fernando Sanz, first LaLiga Global Ambassador, commented: “Today is a very important day for LaLiga because we are laying the foundation stone of what will be the world’s first LaLiga Lounge. LaLiga Lounge Doha is the first themed restaurant planned as part of an expansion plan that will give LaLiga fans the opportunity to enjoy similar spaces all over the world. It will also be a place where fans of LaLiga can meet to enjoy the best matches in the world with excellent food.”

   

  Mr. Adolfo Bara, General Manager Marketing & Sales of LaLiga, said: “LaLiga wants to bring the competition closer to our international fans, creating meeting spaces where they can enjoy LaLiga both during and outside of games and where fans of all ages can share their enjoyment of the game. Katara Hospitality is the ideal partner given its high-quality standards, social commitment and its position as one of the leading companies in the hotel sector not only in the Middle East but across the world.”

   

  Hotel Park is an illustration of Katara Hospitality’s commitment to social responsibility and the importance of promoting sustainability. The vibrant park, located adjacent to Sheraton Grand Doha, features fitness zones, children’s play areas, water features, and sprawling well-manicured lawns. The Park also offers a comprehensive parking allotment of over 2,500 parking spaces.

About Katara Hospitality

Katara Hospitality is the leading hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar. With more than 45 years’ experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in peerless hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of iconic properties in key international markets. Katara Hospitality’s portfolio has grown to include 34 owned and / or managed hotels and the company is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026. As the country’s flagship hospitality organisation, Katara Hospitality supports Qatar’s long term economic vision.

Katara Hospitality currently owns properties spread across three continents in Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand.  While it partners with some of the finest hotel management companies, Katara Hospitality operates owned and non-owned hotels through its standalone operating arm, Murwab Hotel Group.

About LaLiga

The Liga de Football Professional (LaLiga) was founded on the 26th July, 1984. It is a sports association made up of all the public limited sports companies and football clubs in the First and Second Division that participate in official professional competitions on a national scale.

The LaLiga forms part of the Real Federación Española de Fútbol but has legal autonomy in its organisation and functioning. It is responsible for the organisation of state football leagues, always in coordination with RFEF. Currently, the Liga de Fútbol Profesional is formed by a total of 42 teams: 20 in the First Division and 22 in the Second Division. Its head office is located at: C/ Hernández de Tejada, 10; 28027 Madrid (Spain).