Sport 2 Years to Go
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FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 5 TENNIS | Page 7 Ulsan, Djokovic beats Shenhua Zverev to reach urged to rise to semis at ATP the challenges Finals Saturday, November 21, 2020 Rabia II 6, 1442 AH GULF TIMES SPORT 2 YEARS TO GO FFullull steamsteam aheadahead Two years from today, hosts Qatar will kick off the Middle East and Arab world’s first FIFA World Cup oday marks exactly two years until the next and groundbreaking edition of the FIFA World Cup. TThe compact nature, modern landscape and fascinating cul- ture off ered by the fi rst edition of the event to be held in the Middle East and Arab world will guaran- tee a unique experience in 2022. Among the many distinctive fea- tures, travelling fans will have the opportunity to potentially attend more than one match a day dur- ing the group stage, which will feature an exciting schedule with four daily fi xtures, as announced earlier this year. Infrastructure planned for the event has reached 90 per- cent completion, with the three stadiums that have already been fi nalised – Khalifa Interna- HE Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC). tional, Al Janoub and Education City – safely hosting more than tar’s strong and continued com- Cup ever.” Qatar will host the most com- Al Bayt Stadium, which is in the final stage of construction, will host the opening match of the FIFA World 100 matches in 2020 in spite of mitment – under the leadership HE Hassan al-Thawadi, Sec- pact version of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. (Top) Khalifa International Stadium. the Covid-19 pandemic. Three of His Highness the Amir, whom retary-General of the Supreme Cup in modern times. All the sta- more tournament venues are in I personally thank – to hosting Committee for Delivery & Legacy diums are in close proximity to the fi nal stages of construction: an unforgettable FIFA World Cup (SC), added: “We are immensely one another and will be linked by Al Rayyan, Al Bayt and Al Thu- in two years’ time, which will no proud of the progress we have an ultra-modern transport infra- mama. The main works at the re- doubt build a legacy long beyond made over the last ten years. Both structure, meaning short travel maining two stadiums – Ras Abu 2022,” said FIFA President Gianni tournament and national infra- times for fans, players and media. Aboud and Lusail – are set to be Infantino. structure projects are well ad- Visitors will be able to stay in one completed in 2021. “Besides the very important la- vanced, with everything on track location throughout the tourna- Countrywide infrastructure bour reforms recently announced to be completed well ahead of the ment and will not be required to is also being delivered at a rapid by the government, progress has big kick-off . Our legacy projects, take any internal fl ights. The long- pace, including the state-of-the- also been made on stadium con- meanwhile, are already having an est distance between stadiums is art Doha Metro – which was suc- struction, along with the imple- impact on people’s lives in areas 75km (Al Bayt to Al Janoub), while cessfully utilised by fans during mentation of strict measures to such as workers’ rights, educa- the shortest is just 5km (Education the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar protect workers’ health. Dur- tion and entrepreneurship. City to Al Rayyan). 2019 – new roads and the expan- ing my short visit to Doha a few “This is an incredibly important In July, it was confi rmed that sion of Hamad International Air- weeks ago, I witnessed fi rst-hand FIFA World Cup – for Qatar, the the opening match would take port, which is planned to cater how well preparations have ad- region and the world. Qatar 2022 place at the stunning Al Bayt for more than 50 million visitors vanced, and I am looking forward will introduce billions of people to Stadium, a 60,000-capac- a year by 2022. with confi dence to Qatar 2022, the Middle East and Arab world for ity venue designed to resemble a “2020 has surely been a chal- for the transformative impact it the fi rst time, and help to foster a traditional tent used in the Arab lenging year for the entire world, is already having on the country greater understanding and break world. The fi nal will be staged and football was no exception. and the region, for the unique ex- down stereotypes that people may at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Despite the diffi culties, steady perience it will provide fans from have of our country and region. Stadium on December 18, 2022 progress was made in the last few all over the world and, of course, We’re very excited to welcome the – Qatar National Day, which is a Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is one of the venues that are on track to be completed well before the tournament months, showing yet again Qa- for witnessing the best World world in 2022.” public holiday. kicks off on November 21, 2022. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Gulf Times 2 Saturday, November 21, 2020 TWO YEARS TO GO... Tournament infrastructure 2 Approximately 90 percent of (SC) is working on a project aimed key component of Qatar’s FIFA the tournament infrastructure at donating the excess seats to World Cup bid – allowing them is complete. Eight stadiums will support initiatives in Qatar and to be used all year round. The host matches during Qatar 2022. overseas. Many of the stadium pre- technology is unpatented, meaning Three of those grounds – Khalifa cincts feature an extensive array of businesses around the world can International, Al Janoub and Educa- community facilities. For example, leverage it for their own benefit. 1 tion City – have been inaugurated. the public parks at Al Janoub and A number of training sites (Team Three more are in the final stages Al Bayt opened earlier this year Base Camps) have been built, with of construction: Al Rayyan, Al Bayt and are used by the local commu- the remainder set to be delivered and Al Thumama. The remaining nity on a daily basis. well in advance of the tournament. two – Ras Abu Aboud and Lusail – Several precincts will feature Some of the training sites were are set to be completed in 2021. shops, restaurants, sporting ameni- used by teams during the 24th Many of the stadiums are modu- ties and civic facilities such as Arabian Gulf Cup and the FIFA Club lar and will have their capacities mosques and hospitals. World Cup Qatar 2019. After Qatar reduced after 2022. The Supreme Most of the stadiums will boast 2022, the training sites will benefit Committee for Delivery & Legacy innovative cooling technology – a local communities and schools. 3 State infrastructure 4 The Doha Metro is up and running, with 37 stations spanning three lines. A single journey costs QR3 (USD0.82), while the price of a day pass is QR6 (USD1.65). Around 500,000 journeys per month are made on the service, which welcomed its ten millionth pas- senger earlier in 2020. A vast number of new roads and expressways have been opened, mak- ing it easy to travel to Al Bayt Stadium (located in Al Khor) and Al Janoub Stadium (located in Al Wakrah). By the time the tournament kicks off , Qatar will have developed 22 new ex- pressways, including upgrades across the country. The expansion of Hamad Internation- al Airport remains on track. By 2022, the airport will be equipped to serve more than 50 million passengers per year. In addition, more hotels and tourist attractions are opening every month. Numbers game 1. Al Bayt Stadium 2. Al Janoub Stadium 3. Al Thumama Stadium 4. Al Rayyan Stadium 5. Education City Stadium 18-24 75 5 22 6. Khalifa International Stadium degrees celsius kilometres kilometres 5 7. Lusail Stadium Average temperatures longest distance between shortest distance between number of new 8. Ras Abu Aboud Stadium stadiums (Al Bayt and Al stadiums (Education City expressways, including Janoub) and Al Rayyan) upgrades, by 2022 6 7 8 Fan experience The tournament will take place from November 21, ing and sustainable World Cup – a tournament that 2022 to December 18, 2022. The opening match changes people’s perceptions of the Middle East will be staged at Al Bayt Stadium, with the final be- and Arab world. ing held at Lusail Stadium. The final will take place A string of tournaments are helping to shape the on Qatar National Day, a public holiday. fan experience for 2022. In 2019, Qatar successfully This will be the most compact instalment of the hosted both the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and the FIFA World Cup in modern history. Fans, players FIFA Club World Cup. Feedback from fans following and off icials will be able to stay in the same accom- the Club World Cup was overwhelmingly positive. modation throughout the tournament. The longest Several events will take place in 2021 as Qatar distance between stadiums is just 75km (Al Bayt to continues to prepare for the FIFA World Cup. The Al Janoub), meaning fans will have the chance to most notable warm-up act will be the inaugural attend more than one match per day if they desire. FIFA pan-Arab tournament, which is scheduled to The weather will be ideal for football and tourists, take place in December 2021 and will feature Arab with average temperatures expected to be 18-24C. nations from Asia and Africa. There will be plenty for fans to enjoy beyond the The FIFA Club World Cup 2020 has also been pitch, including museums, traditional souqs, desert rescheduled and will now be played in Qatar from adventures, beaches and both local and interna- February 1-11, 2021.