Qatar SC

Qatar SC was founded in 1959 under the name Al Oruba. The idea of founding the club came from Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani. His colleague, Mohammed bin Nasser, sought public opinion on the formation of a new sports club in the Musheireb area of Doha and received positive feedback. Al Oruba, which transliterates to "Arabism", was decided as the club name by the majority of football supporters due to the overwhelming number of Arab clubs with revolutionary names at the time. The club started off with just 18 players and staff members, and the first president was Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Initially, blue and white were the official colors of the club, and the headquarters was situated in a small 4-room house owned by Jassim bin Hamad. In a time where football was not very popular in Qatar, the club had a small group of supporters, the largest of which was the Yemeni community.[1]

They began training on asphalt near the club headquarters, before moving to Doha Stadium. Before the Qatar Stars League unofficially launched in 1963, they only participated in friendly matches. During the initial years of the league, they were a dominant force, along with Al-Maref. After Al-Maref dissolved in the 1966/67 season, many of their players and coaching staff were distributed to Al Oruba. Notable members of coaching staff include Hassan Othman, Abdullah Rabia, and Hamad Al Neel. They went on to win 5 consecutive league titles.[1]

In 1972 Al Oruba merged with Al Nasour to form Al Esteqlal. Former player Saad Mohammed Saleh was selected as the first coach.[1] Al Esteqlal was one of the strongest clubs since its establishment, winning its first official Qatar Stars League season in 1972–73. The next year, in 1974, Al Sadd roped in head coach Hassan Othman from the club in addition to 14 of its players, including Hassan Mattar and Mubarak Anber, much to the dismay of club president Hamad bin Suhaim. During this period, transfers could be made unconditionally in Qatari football. Despite the resounding difficulties arising from the transfer fiasco, it continued with its success, winning the 1976–77 season and supplying the national team with some of its most prominent players.

Al Esteqlal was renamed Qatar SC in 1981. However, it gradually faded into obscurity for the next 2 decades, with the league being dominated by Al Arabi, Al Sadd, and Al Rayyan. The club won the Qatar Crown Prince Cup in 2002 and also won the 2002–03 league season by three points. They won the Crown Prince Cup the same year, and again in 2009.