Amir Cup final, Al Rayyan Stadium opening preparations complete: Organizing THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 Committee PAGE 18 ASIAN GAMES 2030 ‘DOHA IS A PLACE THAT BRINGS EVERYONE TOGETHER’ HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of Doha2030 Bid Committee and President of Qatar Olympic Committee, signs the agreement President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) HE Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah holds a placard after Doha was declared as the Host City for 2030 Asian Games at the 39th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly Meeting in the announcing Doha as the host city for the 21st Asian Games 2030 during the 39th OCA General Assembly Omani capital Muscat on Wednesday. (AFP) Meeting in Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday. (AFP) Continued from page 1 SHEIKH Joaan said, “Athletes have always been our first pri- ority and therefore the concept of these games was integrated, and this will provide an easy and smooth transition for all guests of Qatar during the Asian Games.” He continued, “Our mis- sion is to use all that is avail- able everywhere and to en- hance it. We have not changed our sport to suit the Asian Games, but we have adapted the games to suit.” “We have built more than 200 sports facilities that have hosted more than 50 regional and international sporting events as well. These facilities have won the confidence of the various Olympic federations and committees, and this con- firms that Asian athletes can compete at the highest level,” Sheikh Joaan added. He said, “We would like to see athletes on the corona- Saudi Minister of Sports and Youth Prince HE Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud (right) congratulates President of the Qatar Olympic Committee HE Hind promised that the Doha Sheikha Hind said, “The ul- tion podiums, and this tour- Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani during the 39th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly Meeting in Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday. (AFP) 2030 file will provide the ide- timate goal of education is not nament becomes part of the al platform to celebrate the only to help children create a sporting history.” Deputy Prime Minister and we already own, but it is related of the best facilities and op- “We will manage them through success of Asian athletes in better future for themselves, but “Doha is a place that brings Minister for Foreign Affairs to many intangible things that portunities that help athletes a unified traffic system.” the Asian continent because for all of us to meet and create everyone together, the Asian HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- achieve success for such games. succeed and rest during the For her part, Sheikha Asma sport is the place to which a world to which we all belong.” Games will be a model, and dulrahman Al Thani affirmed The people accept the diversity competitions. Al Thani, Director of Market- everyone belongs. She said Doha file does not Doha 2030 will be a victory for the great commitment and and diversity in the world and Al Buenain revealed that ing and Communications at Sheikha Hind said, “I al- focus on the best for Qatar, but the Olympic Council of Asia, support Qatar gives to sports. seize future opportunities with- the Olympic Village, which the Qatar Olympic Committee, ways loved sports and sporting rather for the Asian Olympic the Olympic movement around “The sport is in our DNA out relying on the past, which will be dedicated to athletes said, “Qatar has reached reality events since childhood. I have families, pointing out that the the world, our common herit- and it’s truly part of our na- is what makes these games a during the Games, will contain after it launched its promise in learned many lessons from 2030 Asian Games is an oppor- age, and we are always stronger tional identity. I felt great en- beautiful memory.” 2,000 units capable of hosting 2006 and all the investments going to the Al Shaqab sta- tunity that will “allow us to look thanks to this legacy and we are thusiasm when I was asked The FM affirmed that one more than 15,000 people and we made put us in a unique po- bles established by His High- beyond ourselves to provide ready,” he said. to be part of the presentation of the most important compo- can be expanded to 18,000 sition to present a distinguished ness the Father Amir Sheikh opportunities for young Asian Sheikh Joaan greeted team for the Asian file, and al- nents of the Qatari file is the se- people at a high level, and it is file for the 2030 Games.” Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to athletes”. the members of the Riyadh though I have attended many curity and safety of the guests, 10 to 15 minutes away for each She said, “When present- preserve the purebred Arabian After Doha was announced 2030 file before beginning conferences and meetings... stressing that Qatar is one of of the stadiums that will host ing the Doha 2030 presenta- horses. Sport is a global lan- the winner, chants were raised his speech and congratulated But attending this meeting is the safest countries in the world the competitions and after the tion, we didn’t focus on our- guage because it is, in essence, in the hotel’s conference hall them for presenting the file a wonderful thing for me, es- according to the Global Crime games will be converted into selves, but on investing in the a form of education. And I by the Qatari delegation to cel- and wished them success in a pecially since the Asian Games Index. “We affirm our commit- residential areas. success of Asian athletes, and believe in the power of educa- ebrate this victory. very wonderful gesture. love my heart.” ment that the athletes attend- He said 4,000 hotel rooms this is historic because the tion, as it is one of the noblest Sheikha Hind said, “We According to the Qatari Sheikh Mohammed ing will have security and safety have been reserved for guests submission of the hosting files issues that we can devote our congratulate those who par- bid, the financial budget for thanked the government and and enjoy a very unique experi- at the five-star level. “We have must be based on reliable and lives to serving.” ticipated in the Doha file the Doha 2030 Asian Games people of the Sultanate of ence,” he said. 14 hotels ready to receive all proven facts.” She said, “We all believe that for hosting the 2030 Asian is estimated at $1.3 billion, and Oman for the hospitality, warm “We look forward to creat- delegations participating in the She said the infrastructure education, whether it is sports Games, and we look forward because Qatar includes a very reception and distinguished or- ing a better world to which we Asian Games.” of Doha 2030 is already on the or academia, is fundamental to to playing an active role in or- developed sports market that ganization of the Asian Olym- all belong,” he added. He said transportation is ground, not on paper. the success of young people and der for this event to be firmly is based on profits and televi- pic Council meeting. Qatar Olympic Committee usually a challenge for all Asian “We are the only file capa- children. Sport gives us the tools in our minds.” sion broadcasting rights, it will “I guarantee you the com- Secretary-General HE Jassim Games, but it is not the same ble of ensuring a zero risk level to achieve our goals and teaches She said, “We are keen to achieve returns of $ 1.46 bil- mitment of our government Rashid Al Buenain said, “We for Doha. for the Games, and this gives us us to look at ourselves and be continue providing support for lion. According to the contract towards Doha 2030 as was the will reinvest these profits dur- In addition to the public time to focus on providing the aware of ourselves and encour- preparations for this session in signed with the Olympic Coun- case in 2006. Hosting a sport- ing and after the 2030 Asian transport system in Doha, he best experience in the Asian age us to seize opportunities the coming years through our cil of Asia, a part of these rev- ing event of this size and the Games.” said, the capabilities of host- Games for athletes and invest- and see what can be achieved facilities, our knowledge and enues will return and thus net importance of the Asian Games He stressed Qatar’s readi- ing the Asian family will be ing the resources we gain in the through teamwork and dedica- our belief in the importance of profits are expected to reach undoubtedly requires more ness to host the 2030 Asian strengthened by allocating 900 Asian Olympic family.” tion, and sport is able to inspire sport and its power to influence $151 million. than providing the facilities that Games with the availability cars to secure transportation. For her part, Sheikha everyone.” people’s lives.” Sports Thursday, December 17, 2020 17 “Hosting an event as long and important DOHA 2030 ASIAN GAMES: as Asian Games requires more than just infrastructure CREATING A WORLD and facilities. It’s rather about the many intangibles that make ‘WHERE WE ALL BELONG’ a great Games.” TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA Qatar’s great desire and the Doha2030 Bid Committee’s emphasis on Doha’s sporting legacy, its vision for an Asian Games ‘Where We All Belong’, and the aim of unprecedented Asian legacy starting in 2021, backed by amazing and flawless presentations saw Doha emerge as a deserving destination for the 21st Asian Games.