The early oil company workers introduced sports in Qatar. Qataris started to form football teams in their own residential areas (furjan) and started competitions amongst themselves. Gradually, the football teams were transformed into more professional multi-sports clubs.

The first club ever established in Qatar was called "Itihad Al-Arab" and was established in 1948 in Dukhan on the West Coast of Qatar. In 1950, "Al-Ahli", the first club was created in Doha. Between 1950 and 1980, many clubs were established in Doha.

Through the times, some clubs disappeared and some others amalgamated to form the present existing clubs. Most of the clubs evolved from football clubs in the beginning into multi-sports clubs offering a variety of sports to their members.