Neymar set for PSG return, but coach Tuchel unhappy PAGE 14 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 THREE YEARS TO FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 QATAR KICK-OFF We are excited to play host to the world in 2022: Al Thawadi ITH exactly three uses football for development years to go until to develop leadership skills, Qatar 2022 kicks life skills and communication off, the Secretary- skills for people in underprivi- WGeneral of the Supreme Com- leged areas in Qatar and other mittee for Delivery & Legacy countries. has said the country and re- And of course, one of the gion is excited to host fans most visible legacies is the from all over the world. In a workers’ welfare reforms. The wide-ranging interview with SC has made global achieve- www.sc.qa, Hassan al Tha- ments in this area, in particu- wadi said preparations for the lar when it comes to the re- FIFA World Cup 2022 were imbursement of recruitment in full swing. He described fees. We understand there is the upcoming Arabian Gulf still a long way to go but the Cup and FIFA Club World progress made since we won Cup as golden opportunities the World Cup has been ex- to test readiness for 2022, tensive. and said fans should expect great weather, outstanding How important is it that hospitality and a raft of enter- people come and see tainment options when Qatar Qatar for themselves? hosts the biggest single-sport I think the World Cup offers event in the world. Al Thawa- a unique opportunity for any di, who has led Qatar’s drive to host country and region to host the FIFA World Cup since have people from different 2009, also outlined his vision parts of the world congregate for the tournaments legacy, in your country and appreci- which includes breaking down ate your culture. They get to stereotypes about the country break down the stereotypes and region. and ideas they had previously. No doubt, for the Middle East, How are preparations Arab world and Qatar, there is coming along for Qatar a predetermined concept peo- 2022 and when will all the ple have, when in reality, we’re stadiums be ready? just like everyone else. We Preparations for Qatar 2022 The Khalifa International Stadium, one of the eight stadiums for FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar. have a great sense of humour, are coming along very well. we have great hospitality. We We have two stadiums already love football and are passion- operational and by the end of ate about it, just like any other the first half of next year, we fan all over the world. And will have three more stadiums once we find the commonality ready and operational. By the between us, I think we begin end of 2021, all eight of our to appreciate the differences, stadiums will have been inau- and it’s the differences that gurated, tested and be tourna- enrich us as human beings. ment-ready. And that is what we want to All the national infrastruc- invest in. ture work is also being com- pleted according to schedule. What’s your message to The metro system is being fans all over the world tested and commissioned and We’re looking to welcome the who are already thinking will be operational by the end fans and also communicate about traveling to Qatar of this year. The entire system with them and get their feed- in 2022? will be ready by the first half of back as to their experience. My message to the millions of next year. fans that are looking to come What can fans travelling to Qatar in 2022: Welcome to We have two tourna- for these tournaments ex- Qatar, welcome to the Mid- ments coming soon – the pect from Qatar? dle East. We’re excited to host Arabian Gulf Cup and The fans can expect sun, the you, we’re excited to welcome FIFA Club World Cup. beach, entertainment and you and for all of us to cel- How will these events hospitality. In November and The iconic Lusail stadium – which will play host to the opening match of FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar – taking shape. ebrate the greatest sport on help preparations for Qa- December, we have great earth and the greatest event tar 2022? weather and fans will be able legacy of Qatar 2022 will platform in the world today of culture and backgrounds, World Cup has spurned a lot on earth. The Arabian Gulf Cup and to experience cultural events, be; for Qatar, the region that brings people together but can nevertheless get to- of industries in Qatar, some of In addition, our infra- FIFA Club World Cup are concerts, trips to the desert and the world? like football – and in particu- gether as human beings and them related to environmen- structure is being tested – on great tournaments as rehears- and trips to the beach. All of In terms of the first World Cup lar the World Cup – where as football fans as well. tal sustainability and hospital- a smaller scale – in prepara- als for 2022. First, they’re them will give a flavour of the in the Middle East and Islamic people on a human to human We’re working hard to en- ity. For example, we are build- tion for the World Cup. Next helping us in crowd manage- Middle East, Arab countries world, I believe the legacy this level can build a very close re- sure there is an economic and ing a solar farm thanks to the year we have another Club ment, communication, fan and Qatar, of course. World Cup will leave is huge. lationship, can get rid of stere- social benefit that this tour- World Cup. World Cup, and in 2021 we experience and identifying the First of all, we’re looking at otypes, can appreciate the dif- nament leaves in Qatar and On a social level, we have are looking for another event areas where we can improve. What do you envisage the building bridges. There’s no ferences between us in terms the region. As of today, the Generation Amazing, which in preparation for 2022. Preparations in place to host successful Arabian Gulf Cup tournament. We are prepared and Arts Department at the Over 35,000 to cater to the needs of fans MoCS Hamad Mohammed al and we urge them to buy tick- Zakiba said. tickets already ets as early as possible. Representatives from the “Those who have bought Traffic Department also dis- sold: LOC tickets through our online closed that measures have platform can access parking been taken to ensure smooth TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lots through a barcode on the and free-flowing traffic, DOHA tickets. This has been done while urging fans to make to ease traffic for the fans,” use of the metro. OVER 35,000 tickets have al- he added. “Our aim is to ease the flow ready been sold for the 24th The Ministry of Culture of traffic and we urge fans to Arabian Gulf Cup which will be and Sports have also lined come early to the match ven- held in Doha from November up several activities for fans, ues. We have teams assigned 26 to December 8, according ranging from exhibitions, the- to various areas and the fans to Khalid Mubarak al Kuwari, atre shows and more. can make use of the metro,” Director of Marketing for the From (left), Director of Venue Operations and Overlay, LOC, Jassim al Jassim; Director of Culture and Arts Dept, MoCS Hamad Mohammed al “This Cup is important 1st Lt. Salem Mubarak al Local Organising Committee. Zakiba; Director of Marketing, LOC Khalid Mubarak al Kuwari; Stadium Trafc Leaders, 1st Lt. Ali Rashid al Ateeq and 1st Lt. Salem Mubarak to us and we have prepared Buainain said. The 2019 tournament will al Buainain address a press conference at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday. several activities. There will The Gulf Cup will see be hosted at two venues, the be entertainment events eight countries – hosts Qatar, iconic Khalifa Stadium which hours before kick-off, with and security measures to en- wait and Oman. So far, we at the Khalifa International featuring 30 Qatari artists Oman, Kuwait, Yemen, Iraq, has a capacity of 40,000, and over 900 people assigned to sure a successful Gulf Cup have have sold 35,000 tickets and Stadium on Thursday. as well as more from around Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the the 12,000-capacity Abdullah help fans in and around the been put in place by the LOC. fans from the region as well as “Promotion campaigns the region. UAE, battle for the region’s bin Khalifa Stadium (Al Duhail). stadiums – 500 of them are “Fans have been buying from the US and Germany are started after the mascot (So- There will also be folklore top football honour. The LOC announced that volunteers. tickets across the available expected to attend the comoe- deifi) was unveiled. The mas- bands, mini-marathons, ar- Yemen and Iraq teams pre-match activities for the Al Kuwari also disclosed platforms, online and in malls tition,” Al Kuwari told report- cot has been on a tour of Oman tefacts exhibitions and majlis have already arrived in Doha opening game will begin three that preparations, activities across Qatar as well as in Ku- ers during a press conference and Kuwait to promote the for fans,” director of Culture ahead of the tournament. Sports Friday, November 22, 2019 13 Qatar to host WSBK Season 2020 2nd round in March TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA CALENDAR 2020 WSBK SEASON THE FIM and Dorna WSBK February 28- March1: Australia Phillip Island Organisation have announced Grand Prix Circuit that Qatar would host the sec- March 13-15: Qatar Losail International ond round of the 2020 MO- Circuit March 27-29: Spain Circuito de Jerez - Ángel TUL FIM Superbike World Nieto Championship in March.