Majed Alkhelaifi

Majed Mohammed Alkhelaifi is a brigadier general in the Qatar Armed Forces, Editor-in-Chief of Doha Stadium newspaper and a sports analyst and adviser. His career has brought together military service, sport, administration and media work while maintaining a close commitment to his family.

He maintained exceptional physical fitness, which qualified him to teach in the Military Police training wing. He was also seconded to several units, including the Special Forces, so that others could benefit from his experience.

His twelve years as editor-in-chief of Doha Stadium brought substantial experience and one important distinction: Al-Ahram newspaper’s poll named it the best Arab sports publication. He regards the honour as the result of collective effort and sound professional practice.

For him, nothing matters more than family. He places his children first and remains close enough to guide and advise them. Three elder sons entered military service, two elder daughters secured distinguished positions, another daughter studied media at Qatar University, and the younger children continued through preparatory and secondary school.

One of the defining turns in his life came in 1993, when His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani asked him to help manage Al-Ittihad Club, now Al Gharafa. He progressed from Assistant Secretary-General to Head of Football and then Secretary-General. During that period, the club achieved a widely acclaimed breakthrough, winning the first league title in its history in the early 1990s.

His media position allowed him to attend sporting meetings, conferences and tournaments around the world, including FIFA congresses and international forums in Doha and abroad, particularly those connected with the 2022 World Cup.

Although his career shifted substantially from sport to media, he regards both fields as routes to the same purpose: serving sport, football and, above all, Qatar.

He encountered significant challenges in both fields. At Al Gharafa, he and his colleagues worked to preserve progress and establish the club as a respected institution. In media, he adapted to the pace of digital publishing without abandoning the profession’s central commitment to serving Qatari youth.

Two qualities, in his view, are essential: good character and the pursuit of knowledge. Character elevates a person, while knowledge strengthens that standing.