SSPOTLIGHT|POTLIGHT Page 4 CRICKET | Page 8 Maradona Australia pick released from Pucovski in hospital aft er Test squad for brain surgery India series Friday, November 13, 2020 SPOTLIGHT Rabia I 27, 1442 AH Overwhelming GULF TIMES support for Doha’s 2030 Games bid SPORT Page 2 Doha 2030 promises gateway to sustainability and ultimate Asian Games experience The tour began at Al Bidda tower, home of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Doha 2030 Chairman HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani watches as members of the OCA Evaluation Committee interact with a young athlete at Aspire Academy yesterday. At right, they look at exhibits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) headquarters in Bidda Tower. See also pages 2 and 3 of Sport By Sports Reporter Doha he OCA Evaluation Committee visiting Qatar to assess its ca- Tpabilities to host the 2030 Asian Games in Doha were given an extensive tour of the country’s state-of-the-art fa- cilities. The delegation, which is on a three-day visit, was also given an extensive lowdown on how Doha is uniquely positioned to deliver certainty, sustainability and excellence for the whole of A martial arts demonstration at the Lusail Arena. Asia, at a time when it is needed most. fully hosted many international athletes have been placed at the Doha’s plans to deliver a or continental events. With this forefront of Doha 2030’s plans. seamless, athlete-focused event experience also comes knowl- Alongside world-class sports with sustainability at its core. edge in delivering the all-im- venues, Nada explained that The expert delegation saw portant Games-services that the Athletes’ Village would be fi rst-hand how Doha’s tried and are critical to successfully stag- located in Lusail City, Qatar’s tested sports venues and medi- ing major events. Our certainty fi rst and largest sustainable city, cal facilities, which have catered of excellence, will allow us to providing accessibility and un- for the world’s best athletes in focus our attention on mini- precedented services. the world’s biggest events, are mising our impact on the envi- “Doha 2030 is committed ready to provide the ultimate ronment and contributing to a to ensuring our venues provide Games experience in 2030. stronger future for Asia before athletes with everything they The tour began at Al Bidda and after 2030.” need so they can compete at tower, home of the Supreme The Evaluation Commit- their best and inspire the next Committee for Delivery and tee also experienced the city’s generation. We can already Legacy of the FIFA World Cup ultra-modern Metro, which is guarantee athletes and all par- Qatar 2022. The delegation was part of Doha’s sophisticated ticipants – OCA Family, offi - presented with the Committee’s transport network, promis- cials, media and spectators – an impressive sustainability strat- ing average travel times at the event experience like no other, egy and commitment to deliv- Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), briefs the delegation at the SC headquarters in Games of 20 to 30 minutes. The because we have a proven track ering a carbon-neutral event, Bidda Tower. delegation was also given an in- record in successfully staging which will be leveraged by Doha sight into Doha’s wealth of his- major sports events. 2030 to contribute to one of the that feature in the Doha 2030 munity. Among the athletes was Doha 2030 CEO and QOC just off er certainty, we can say tory, culture and entertainment, “All permanent venues for the most environmentally friendly Games plan. squash player Abdulla al-Tami- Secretary-General HE Jassim with absolute confi dence that which will ensure the Games is Games are in place and we have Asian Games ever held. Presidents of the National mi, who said, “I joined Aspire bin Rashid al-Buenain outlined we will deliver the excellence a celebration of Asia’s diversity developed a Games plan that is The Evaluation Commit- Federations of gymnastics, ath- Academy as a junior in 2006, the importance of certainty and that OCA and Asia’s NOCs de- and provide the perfect setting compact, sustainable and puts tee was then taken to the Aspire letics and table tennis, and the the year Doha last hosted the sustainability in the current cli- serve, in a sustainable and re- for the whole OCA family to re- athletes at its heart. This year, Dome before moving onto the President of the Women’s Sport Asian Games. Thanks to the ex- mate: sponsible manner. lax and enjoy themselves. athletes have experienced dis- world-leading Aspetar sports Committee joined the tour, cellent coaching and state-of- “This year has been defi ned “We can say this because all Nada Mohamed Wafa, one of ruption like never before, so it medicine hospital, the FIFA meeting with promising young the-art facilities I was able to by uncertainty, which is why of our proposed permanent Qatar’s fi rst female Olympians is vital that we off er them cer- World Cup Al Bayt Stadium and athletes, in a demonstration of work my way to become one of the sports movement needs venues already exist, and the who competed at London 2012 tainty of excellence, allowing the Lusail Arena, just some of the bid’s full support from all the top ranked squash players in certainty now more than ever. majority of these world-class and Rio 2016, presented to the them to focus on achieving their the existing world class venues levels of the Qatar sports com- the world.” Doha 2030 can do more than facilities have already success- Evaluation Committee how dreams.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, November 13, 2020 DOHA 2030 SPOTLIGHT Overwhelming support for Doha’s Asian Games bid As an Olympic Council of Asia delegation tours Qatar’s sporting venues to evaluate the country’s bid for the 2030 Asian Games, Gulf Times spoke to a cross section of people to get their views. We produce the excerpts The (2006) Asian Games had a massive impact on my career. I still remember the fi rst time I saw boxing competitions up close and personal. And that was a great inspiration to me, wanting to represent my country. I know for sure that the Asian Games 2030 will also do the same for many athletes in Qatar and the region to achieve their best for the country in the future. During the pandemic, I have engaged in various live sessions on my social media platforms and many top athletes have praised how Qatar invests in sports and has a well-rounded infrastructure, leading the region medically and performance-wise, besides having the capabilities to host big tournaments and championships. Without a doubt, Qatar has great capabilities, sports clubs and arenas are more than capable to host international multi-sport events. Aspire Zone is incredible, with its Aspire Academy, Aspetar, hotels, a mall, etc. Also, after the 2006 Asian Games, there was a legacy element that continued with many world championships across many sporting disciplines have been held in Qatar. The amateur world boxing championships, swimming world cup events are held every year, the athletics world championships were held, the Diamond League. The legacy will only be cemented further with the 2030 Asian Games. Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid al-Thani Qatar’s fi rst professional boxer I am very excited as Doha again is bidding to cilities of global standards, organising interna- Speaking as an athlete in a multi-sport discipline, Qatar as a country host the Asian Games in 2030. It’s a great oppor- tional and world-level tournaments over the past is fully geared up to host any major sporting event. Even as of this mo- tunity for the young generation that did not have many years, making it an international destina- ment, Qatar is more than ready to host another Asian Games. Qatar a chance to watch the 2006 Games. I hope that tion for sports lovers. I think it will be an amazing has really evolved as a world class venue, and developed local talents my sons, who are also into basketball, will get a experience for fans in 2030. as a result of hosting major sporting events. chance to represent Qatar in 2030. Yaseen Musa In 2019, Qatar hosted more than 50 world and international cham- Qatar has set an example in creating sports fa- Former Qatar basketball captain pionships across sports. Qatar has already hosted mega events, including Asian Games in 2006, athletics world championships last year, and will be hosting the As a football fan and a follower of many teams has drawn the world’s attention. FIFA World Cup 2022. These are huge milestones, and that alone is al- in many leagues, I have attended live matches for ready a statement about how the country, the government, its people teams in many countries. I have to admit that the Amjad Abougary and the infrastructure are more than ready. I am personally grateful to level of organisation, security and interaction in Internal Audit Professional have access to the amazing sports infrastructure that the country has Qatar is really one of the best and defi nitely the to off er. All those who love sports, experience it regularly – cycling best in the region. In Qatar, I have attended many I can’t wait for Doha to host the Asian Games tracks, swimming facilities, running tracks, football stadiums, train- games and was always impressed – whether it is again.