Qatar Ready to Rock the World with ‘Cool’ Show
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SPORT Friday 28 September 2018 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Samba sets sights on Golf: Woods paireded World record, more with Reed in Ryderder glory for Qatar Cup opener Dahlan Al Hamad (second right), Vice-President and Director General of IAAF WCH Doha 2019 Orgnising Committee and Vice-President of the IAAF, Dr Saud Abdula Ghani (left), Professor at the College of Engineering at Qatar University, Aretha Thurmond (second left), 4-time Olympian and Managing Director of International and Championship Teams for USA Track and Field, Mariam Farid (third left), and Abderrahman Samba (right), join a group of young kids at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. The countdown begins: Qatar ready to rock the world with ‘cool’ show RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA DOHA: Qatar yesterday kicked off the official one-year countdown to the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, saying the venue preparations have been completed way ahead of schedule. Dahlan Al Hamad, the Director General of the Local Organising Com- mittee (LOC), yesterday announced the Sept 27-Oct 6 mega event next year would be the most modern version of the track and field world. “We are ready. Today we are starting the clock on our one-year countdown to the championships. As we sit here, I hope you can see and feel everything is in place including a growing excitement and energy amongst the local com- munity,” Al Hamad said. “I welcome the world to our new- look Khalifa International Stadium - the Dahlan Al Hamad, Vice-President and home of the IAAF World Athletics Cham- Director General of IAAF WCH Doha 2019 Organising Committee and Vice- pionships Doha 2019. The track is laid A view of the press conference held at the Khalifa International President of the IAAF, in Doha yesterday. and ready to compete on,” the IAAF Vice- Stadium in Doha yesterday. PICS: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA President added. Doha will stage the 10-day event using state-of-the-art cooling tech- many historic sporting events, including “Legacy is something that we nology, Al Hamad confirmed. the athletics at the 2006 Asian Games believe in strongly in Qatar and we are “The new cooling technology is on and 2011 Arab Games, as well as the IAAF very proud that we can honour our right now and offering a climate close Final Grand Prix in 2000,” Al Hamad sporting past while celebrating our to what the athletes and fans will expe- pointed out. sporting future by hosting the IAAF rience in 365 days’ time. Our schedule “Renovation works are now com- World Athletics Championships in Doha is out, our tourism infrastructure is in pleted, transforming this stadium into in 2019 at the Khalifa International place and we have revealed information one of the most technologically advanced Stadium,” he said. on our logo and ticketing,” he added. stadiums in the world with a GSAS sus- “Leaving a mark on the people of our “We are ready to connect the world tainability certificate. region is also important to us. By wel- of athletics, ready to inspire a new gen- “The state-of-the-art cooling system coming the world’s best athletes to Doha, eration and ready to welcome athletes you feel now will provide a pleasant we hope to inspire the generations to and fans from all corners of the world,” 24-26 degrees Celsius temperature come to take to the track or become fans Al Hamad said confidently. during competition and can be adjusted of the sport. Our ticketing structure will “Our website is now live. I encourage as required, guaranteeing optimal con- offer avid athletics fans an array of new those interested in buying tickets to reg- ditions for athletes and fans alike while options to Follow Your Champion, tra- ister their interest on the website. Tickets also being considerate on the envi- ditional Arab Majlis seating or finish line will go on sale from November this year, ronment,” he added. seats. But tickets also provide those new with travel packages to support available Al Hamad underlined Qatar’s great to athletics taste: options as well as group January 2019,” he said. reputation for being the home of track choices for the family. We hope this He said Qatar will use next year’s and field in the region. structure will bring together new and Asian Athletics Championships as a test “Qatar is no stranger to holding ath- old fans, of all ages, nationalities and event in April 2019. letics event, having hosted major inter- culture as well as inspire young people “The stadium is now fully functional. national athletics events for over 21 Sheikha Asma Al Thani (left), Director of Marketing and Communications of to become athletes. As the clock ticks It will be used for the 2019 Asian Ath- years. We are a young and ambitious IAAF WCH Doha 2019, and top Qatari athlete Mariam Farid are seen during down to this momentous event for our letics Championships in April which will nation and I hope that seeing is believing a press conference at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. country and region, we will continue to be the official test event for the IAAF and as today we are delivering upon our communicate more of our activities to World Athletics Championships Doha promises,” Al Hamad said you all,” Al Hamad said. “We want to 2019 and later host 2022 FIFA World Cup “To have such an ambition requires athletes and our local community to Athletics Championships in the Middle thank everyone at the IAAF for your matches,” Al Hamad announced. innovative, creative and bold thinking. experience it live for the first time. All East, one of our main commitments in guidance and trust in our hosting of the The Khalifa International Stadium That is why an exciting new schedule these developments take imagination partnership with the IAAF on is to grow Middle East’s first-ever IAAF World Ath- will be one of the venues to be used by exists with new formats. That’s why this but stem from a single goal of enhancing participation of this great sport across letics Championships and ability to leave Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. stadium has new sustainable, cooling athletics worldwide,” he said. Qatar, the region and the world,” he a true legacy for the sport across the “Originally built in 1976, it has hosted technology and why we want our young “By hosting the first ever IAAF World pointed out. region,” he added. FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 Doha gets ready to reach new heights for 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships THE PENINSULA DOHA: With 365 days to go until the IAAF World Athletics Cham- pionships Doha 2019, hosts Qatar are ready to welcome the world of athletics and stage the biggest sporting event in the nation and region’s history. Organisers yesterday unveiled the completed stadium, showcased its state-of-the-art sustainable cooling system and revealed ticket options that will allow fans to watch the action in new ways. For four days, the organising committee have taken the IAAF through their detailed plans and played host to team leaders and coaches from 30 nations, as they begin preparations for their ath- letes and teams to complete in the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships. To mark the one-year countdown, the doors were opened to the upgraded Khalifa International Stadium in Aspire Zone for special guests and media, including Qatar’s world- class 400m hurdler and 2018 Asian Games Champion Abder- A view of the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. This venue will host the rahman Samba and promising IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 next year. PICS: Baher Amin sprint talent Mariam Farid, along with officials and sponsors. All attendees enjoyed a first- hand experience of the unique pink track and weather condi- tions the innovative cooling Mission 2019: Samba sets sights on system will offer athletes and fans. Track temperatures were set to a pleasant 24-26 Degrees Celsius courtesy of the revolu- world record, more glory for Qatar tionary in-stadium air-condi- tioning technology, which will FAWAD HUSSAIN or Olympics this year (because of superb guarantee optimal conditions for THE PENINSULA form). athletes and fans alike while also “But I am looking for a better 2019 being sustainable. through hard training. We have many com- The Global Sustainability DOHA: After a phenomenal season, Qatar’s Abder- petitions. The World Championships (at Assessment System (GSAS) cer- rahman Samba is not thinking much about the action home) and before that we have the Asian tified stadium which will also as he is itching for a ‘much-needed’ vacation. But Athletics Championships at the same venue. host 2022 FIFA World Cup when he comes back the next season he will mean So I am looking forward to these events and matches, is ready to play host to business – to continue to pursue the world record whatever event comes next year,” he said. the 2019 Asian Athletics Cham- and grabbing titles that come his way. Samba reiterated his pledge to continue pionships in April 2019, the The star 400m hurdler made a clean sweep of pursuing the world record of American official test event for the IAAF titles in the 2018 season, remaining unbeaten in the athlete Kevin Young, who set the World World Athletics Championships eight Diamond League finals, and a record run at record and Olympic record of 46.78secs at next year. Asian Games in Jakarta to clinch gold medal for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. The ticketing programme Qatar. “Two athletes from Qatar – me in hurdles was also unveiled and will offer Throughout the season, the 23-year-old con- and (Mutaz) Barshim in high jump are avid athletics fans an array of tinued to dip below 48 seconds every race.