Uniquely positioned to deliver certainty, sustainability and excellence for the whole of Asia, at a FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020 time when it is needed most. Doha 2030 Chairman HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Committee Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, briefs the OCA Evaluation Committee members at the Al Bidda members at the Aspire Academy on Thursday. tower, home of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, on Thursday. Doha 2030 promises gateway to sustainability and ultimate Asian Games experience TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA THE Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Committee on Thursday showcased to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evalu- ation Committee how Doha is uniquely positioned to deliver certainty, sustainability and ex- cellence for the whole of Asia, at a time when it is needed most. On their second day in Doha, the OCA Evaluation Committee, was taken on a tour of the city’s extensive, existing state-of-the-art infra- structure and presented with the Bid Committee’s plan’s to deliver a seamless, athlete- focused Games plan, with sus- tainability at its core. The expert delegation saw first-hand how Doha’s tried and tested sports venues and medical facilities, which have catered for the world’s best HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and the OCA Evaluation Committee at Aspetar, the Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, with athletes in the world’s biggest world’s leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, on Thursday. the OCA Evaluation Committee at Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, one of World Cup 2022 venues. events, are ready to provide the ultimate Games experience in 2030. The tour began at Al Bidda tower, home of the Su- preme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The delegation was pre- sented with the Committee’s impressive sustainability strategy and commitment to delivering a carbon-neutral event, which will be lever- aged by Doha 2030 to con- tribute to one of the most en- vironmentally friendly Asian Games ever held. The Evaluation Committee was then taken to the Aspire Dome before moving on to the world-leading Aspetar sports medicine hospital, the FIFA World Cup Al Bayt Stadium and the Lusail Arena, just some of the existing world class ven- ues that feature in the Doha 2030 Games plan. The OCA Evaluation Committee at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Al Bayt Stadium pitch. The OCA Evaluation Committee members inside the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Al Bayt Stadium. Presidents of the National Federations of gymnastics, lency Jassim Bin Rashid Al are critical to successfully stag- perfect setting for the whole they need so they can compete athletics and table tennis, and Buenain outlined the impor- ing major events. Our certainty OCA family to relax and enjoy at their best and inspire the the President of the Women’s tance of certainty and sustain- of excellence, will allow us to themselves. next generation. We can al- Sport Committee joined the ability in the current climate: focus our attention on mini- Nada Mohammed Wafa, ready guarantee athletes and tour, meeting with promising “This year has been defined mising our impact on the envi- one of Qatar’s first female all participants – OCA Family, young athletes, in a demon- by uncertainty, which is why ronment and contributing to a Olympians, who competed at officials, media and spectators stration of the bid’s full sup- the sports movement needs stronger future for Asia before London 2012 and Rio 2016, – an event experience like no port from all levels of the Qatar certainty now more than ever. and after 2030.” presented to the Evaluation other, because we have a prov- sports community. Among the Doha 2030 can do more than The Evaluation Commit- Committee how athletes have en track record in successfully athletes was Abdulla Al-Tami- just offer certainty, we can say tee also experienced the city’s been placed at the forefront staging major sports events. mi, who said, “I joined Aspire with absolute confidence that ultra-modern Metro, which is of Doha 2030’s plans. Along- “All permanent venues for Academy as a junior in 2006, we will deliver the excellence part of Doha’s sophisticated side world-class sports venues, the Games are in place and we the year Doha last hosted the that OCA and Asia’s NOCs transport network, promis- Nada explained that the Ath- have developed a Games plan Asian Games. Thanks to the deserve, in a sustainable and ing average travel times at the letes’ Village would be located that is compact, sustainable excellent coaching and state- responsible manner. Games of 20 to 30 minutes. in Lusail City, Qatar’s first and and puts athletes at its heart. of-the-art facilities I was able to “We can say this because The delegation was also given largest sustainable city, provid- This year, athletes have expe- work my way to become one of all of our proposed permanent A member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Commit- an insight into Doha’s wealth ing accessibility and unprec- rienced disruption like never the top ranked squash players venues already exist, and the tee being presented with a souvenir at the Aspire Academy. of history, culture and enter- edented services. before, so it is vital that we in the world.” majority of these world-class tainment, which will ensure “Doha 2030 is committed offer them certainty of excel- Doha 2030 CEO and QOC facilities have already success- al or continental events. With knowledge in delivering the all- the Games are a celebration of to ensuring our venues pro- lence, allowing them to focus Secretary-General His Excel- fully hosted many internation- this experience also comes important Games-services that Asia’s diversity and provide the vide athletes with everything on achieving their dreams.” Sports Friday, November 13, 2020 11 Qatar U-16 football team Al Annabi to face Costa Rica beats Lebanon 3-1 at Aspire in friendly at Vienna today TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Austria,” Salat stressed. DOHA Qatar’s coaching staff has been studying videos of Costa THE Qatar national football Rica and South Korea matches team is all warmed up for a played recently. The technical friendly but crucial preparato- staff have watched Costa Rica ry clash with Costa Rica at the playing against Mexico, Pan- BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium ama and the United States. in Vienna on Friday at 8pm Similarly, they studied South Doha Time. Korea’s matches against Bra- The Asian champions Qa- zilian, Lebanon, North Korea, tar arrived in Austria well in Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan. advance a few days ago to ac- Qatar will be playing South climatize and have been train- Korea in their next friendly ing in cold weather. match in Austra on Nov 17. The Qatar U-16 national football team defeated Lebanon U-16 side Speaking of the team’s “South Korea is considered 3-1 in a friendly match played at Aspire Academy on Thursday. This preparations, Qatar midfield- one of the best Asian teams and was the rst of two scheduled friendlies, the second to be played er Ahmed Moein said, Every facing them is a good prepara- on Nov 15. The two friendlies are part of our national junior team’s player is striving to put up tion for Al Annabi,” said Salat. preparations for the AFC U-16 Asian Cup to be held in Bahrain. Qatar their in these friendlies and to Qatar coach Felix Sanchez are in Group A along with Bahrain, North Korea and Iran. Sixteen prepare for the forthcoming has chosen a squad of 27 play- teams will participate in the event. The top four teams in the tourna- challenges (FIFA World Cup ers for the two international ment get the qualication to represent Asia at the FIFA U-17 World Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian friendlies which includes Mishal Cup 2021 to be held in Peru. (TNN) Cup 2023 qualifiers). Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Tariq “Playing such matches will Salman, Abdel-Karim Hassan, be a huge benefit to us as we Boualem Khoukhi, Hassan Al prepare for events like 2021 The Qatar national team will be playing Costa Rica in the rst of their two friendlies in Vienna, Austria. Haydos, Akram Afif, Musab Copa America and Gold Cup,” The second against South Korea will be played on November 17. Khudar, Muhammad Waad, LOC all set for he added. Yousif Abdulsaq, Ahmed Su- “We are ready to play the mosphere within the squad is the Hilton Vienna hotel where 48 hours prior to our match,” hail, Almoez Ali, Karim Boudiaf, first match (against Costa great. Everyone is enthusias- the squad is camped, the he informed. Ismail Muhammad, Abdullah AFC Champions Rica). We hope to present a tic. Playing with different sides team’s media chief Ali Salat “Last month we played Abd Al Salam, Mahdi Ali, Ah- good level that shows us as will be of great help to us as we said, adding, “The weather is against Ghana and now we mad Alaa al-Din, Moayed Has- champions of Asia and every- build momentum going into cold but the players are adjust- are set for Costa Rica and san, Humam Ahmad, Abdul- League (East) one is excited about such im- our events next year.” ing well.” South Korea (on November lah Maarifieh, Ahmed Fathy, portant matches,” he said. The training grounds “We also had the COV- 17).