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"Unite the world, bring cultures closer" - Amir of Qatar looks forward to welcoming fans for the 2022 World Cup
Ritabrata Banerjee
24-May-2022
The 2022 World Cup is set to be a landmark occasion. The Amir of Qatar, His
Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, felt that the impact of the World
Cup will not be limited to just sporting excellence but also will bring the world
together. Since fans from all over the world can come to Qatar and enjoy the
[5] spectacle of the World Cup, the Amir of Qatar feels that cultural barriers will
break down. "This tournament will be the first major sporting event with full
attendance following the COVID-19 pandemic. I am happy that we will unite
the world and bring people back together," he said.
He also added that Qatar are excited to showcase their culture to the world.
[10] "The impact of the World Cup is not limited to fun. It will help to achieve mutual understanding between different cultures and
backgrounds. The people of Qatar and the region are excited to share our culture. The Qatar 2022 World Cup is a journey of
hard work, determination and tireless effort. I am looking forward to welcoming all of you," he added at the World Economic
Forum Annual Meeting ∈May.
General Secretary of the Supreme Committee of Delivery & Legacy (SC), Hassan Al Thawadi, also spoke about the World Cup
[15] venues and facilities ∈Qatar. He highlighted how the World Cup helped drive development ∈Qatar. "From the day we
submitted our bid, we recognised the transformative power of sport and the World Cup. We worked to ensure that the World
Cup serves as a vehicle for the nation to achieve the goals set out ∈Qatar National Vision 2030," Al Thawadi said. "The metro
system, new expressways and state-of-the-art communications systems were all part of the development – and the World Cup
has helped to accelerate these initiatives.”
[20] Qatar have built eight stadiums for the 2022 World Cup which is set to run from November 21 to December 18. Al Thawadi
spoke about how the sustainable practices adopted during the construction of these stadiums will benefit a lot of people. "Every
stadium has a unique story and legacy plan,” said Al Thawadi. “Lusail Stadium, which will host the final, will host botanical
gardens and food security research programmes after the tournament. Another stadium, 974, is set up like a Lego set, utilising
shipping containers so it can be disassembled after the tournament. We are currently ∈ discussions with FIFA∈ relation to a
[25] very ambitious goal which could set the standard for how stadiums can be used beyond a tournament.”
He went on to state how the fans travelling to Qatar for the World Cup are ∈ for a 'life-changing opportunity'. "When we hosted
the FIFA Arab Cup ∈2021, we welcomed people from different walks of life. It was a celebration and showcased what football
means to us all. It showed we are hospitable and that we open our arms to people. The World Cup will help to break down
stereotypes [about the Middle East and Arab world]. Many people will be visiting Qatar for the first time and I think it will be a
[30] life-changing opportunity.”
Retrieved and adapted from https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/unite-the-world-bring-cultures-closer-amir-of-qatar-looks/blt0b97d20d1fe15c2a Access on September 19th, 2022.
In Davos, the Amir of Qatar emphasized the importance of the event considering, mainly
