Nasser Laram

Nasser Yaqoub Laram is a Qatari sports administrator, former handball player and former head of handball at Al Ahli Club. A physical-education graduate of Qatar University, he developed his career through club administration and professional sport.

He was born in New Doha on 15 December 1968 and grew up in a large mud-brick house with a broad courtyard and an enclosure for cattle and sheep. The extended household included his grandmother, uncle, cousins and seven siblings. His father managed inventories for government buses and also drove a taxi to provide the family with a secure living. He made time for his children, often taking them to Barahat Al Jufairi, where adults met and children enjoyed traditional stories and adventures. Nasser listened closely to conversations in the neighbourhood majlis, particularly that of his uncle Ahmed Laram.

Life in the neighbourhood was quiet, simple and harmonious. Close relations among neighbours gave him a strong sense of community, and he spent his free time playing in the courtyard with cousins and other children from the freej.

When he was eight, the family moved to a new home in the popular housing district of Al Najma. His grandmother divided her time between the homes of her two sons, while cousins preserved their close relationship through frequent visits, holidays and family occasions.

His father died when Nasser was nine, profoundly changing the family’s circumstances. The loss was especially painful because the father had been closely involved in his children’s lives, taking them to school and spending long periods with them. Although unable to read or write, their mother assumed responsibility for all eight children and made education her priority. She declined to remarry and devoted herself to their care. Nasser tried to help with household expenses, but she insisted that he concentrate on his studies and future. Her sacrifice motivated the children to work towards successful careers.

Al Najma also opened a new chapter of friendship. He became close to neighbouring children, played with them in the courtyard and swam in the pool at Issa bin Ghanem’s farm. Growing up together made the group feel like an extended family.

He continued at Abu Ayyub Al Ansari Preparatory School in Old Airport and completed secondary education at Ahmed bin Hanbal School.

During secondary school, a brother required treatment abroad and Nasser accompanied him, missing enough lessons to affect his grades. His final result limited access to the specialisms he had hoped to pursue. A new technical college opened in Khalifa City that year, and he enrolled, but soon realised that it did not suit his ambitions. He then applied to Qatar University, entered its preparatory programme and earned a place in physical education, where he found his vocation. He graduated in 1997 at a ceremony held under the patronage of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sport had interested him since childhood, particularly handball, and he reached Al Ahli Club’s first team. He reduced competitive participation while at university and moved into administration at the club. From 1997 to 2020, he served as head of handball and as a board member. Working with experienced figures—including Abdullah Mustafawi, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali, Al Emadi, Mohammed Ghanem, Hassan Al Mulla, Abdullah Al Mulla, Jamal Al Ajmi and his close colleague Adel Thani—gave him an extensive education in sporting leadership. He also served for two years on the Qatar Handball Association board and for four years with the Qatar Swimming Association.

His radio career lasted about seven years, from the late 1980s until his university graduation in the mid-1990s. During that period, he combined broadcasting work with his studies.

At Qatar Radio, Abdulrahman bin Saif Al Maadadi and Mubarak bin Jaham Al Kuwari were among those who supported him. Offered a choice of department, he selected the studios and worked alongside established media professionals including Ali Al Bahr, Ali Al Maslamani, Faraj Abdul Karim, Abdulrahman Al Awadi and Ali Al Sada. His service coincided with the invasion of Kuwait. Following those events at close range taught him the fundamentals of media work and strengthened his professional judgement.

After graduation, he hoped to continue in broadcasting, but a national shortage of teachers directed him into education. His first appointment was at Ali bin Abi Talib Preparatory School, where he taught for three years.

In 2001, Khalil Al Jaber nominated him for secondment to the Ministry of Education’s Physical Education Department, managed by Ali Al Jaber. Over three years, he supervised school sports halls and maintained contact with physical-education teachers. He received guidance from Ali Al Jaber, Dr Ahmed Al Naama, Issa Al Zaraa, Ali Turki Al Subaie and Yousef Al Tamimi of Al Rayyan Club.

The establishment of the Qatar Stars League and the professionalisation of clubs created positions for administrators with sporting experience. Al Ahli nominated him as Director of Fan Marketing. Drawing on a wide network across sport, he won the league’s award for best club fan-marketing manager in his first year. The recognition introduced him to influential figures and opened further professional opportunities.

Two years later, the Qatar Stars League confirmed his appointment. He resigned from the Ministry of Education and joined the foundation permanently. Further fan-marketing awards followed as he built partnerships through visits to schools and companies. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, then Chairman of the Qatar Stars League Foundation and President of the Qatar Football Association, and Hany Taleb Ballan provided important support.

Hassan Rabia Al Kuwari, Executive Director of the Qatar Stars League, later invited him to become Director of Sales and Marketing. Loyalty to Al Ahli and uncertainty about a new role initially made him hesitate, but Al Kuwari proposed a trial secondment. Nasser accepted, delivered several successful initiatives and helped reshape the department. After a year of dividing his efforts between the organisation and the club, the strain began to affect time with his family and mother. A permanent league appointment allowed him to focus on one role. Although no longer part of Al Ahli’s administration, he retained a warm relationship with the club and remained deeply loyal to it.