SPORT FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2016 21 Qatar shows football open to diversity: FIFA The Peninsula FATMA SAMOURA Hamad International Airport; how they can also be a nation of foot- unique do you think this compact ball, and also show the rest of the head of the Qatar 2022 The compact nature of tournament concept will be for world that football is bringing LOC Board Meeting in this World Cup will visitors in 2022? people from different cultures ADoha this week, FIFA Sec- allow fans to attend Fatma: I was informed and religious backgrounds retary General Fatma Samoura several matches in before I came about the possi- together. This is for me the led a FIFA delegation on a infra- one day. bility to visit almost all the strongest sign that FIFA’s new structure tour which highlighted venues and sites within a few management can give to the rest Qatar’s rapidly advancing prep- Planning is done hours, and I can confirm: yes, it of the world. arations for the 2022 FIFA World ahead of time, which is possible. From the explana- My mere presence as the first Cup™. is a strong sign of tions we have received it seems female and African Secretary Speaking after the tour – Qatar's commitment that several ways will be utilised, General in world football’s gov- which included five of the eight to deliver the best including water ways. erning body already means a lot, proposed host venues, the trans- World Cup ever. Q. How happy are you with but having the World Cup hosted portation network, Qatar Rail the current stage of progress? by countries like Qatar with such sites and Hamad International workers. We have also witnessed Fatma: I can see that plan- a small population but such a Airport – the Senegalese official the compact nature of this World ning is done ahead of time, which great passion for football, means said FIFA was pleased with the Cup, which will allow fans to is a strong sign of the commit- that we are not only focussing level of planning and enthusiasm attend several matches in the ment of the Qatari people of on the big nations. shown by Qatar. same day. delivering the best World Cup The only way we can help Q. What were your impres- I think the level of commit- ever. shape the future of FIFA is to sions on your first visit to Qatar, ment of the Supreme Committee Q: What does it mean for FIFA develop grassroots football and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura (second left) and as you toured 2022 FIFA World for Delivery and Legacy, and the to take the World Cup to a new have more nations coming into Hassan Al Thawadi, the Secretary General of the Supreme Cup™ various sites? level of enthusiasm I have been region – the Middle East? the competition. To me having Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), in Doha yesterday. Fatma: This tour has opened witnessing since my arrival from Fatma: This only means that the World Cup teams expanded Nasser Al Khater Assistant Secretary General, Tournament the eyes not only for me in my the Local Organising Commit- the world of football is opening to 40 or 48 is just another way Operations (centre). capacity as FIFA Secretary Gen- tee, just tells us that the choice to diversity and is really embrac- to show to the world that we’d eral, but the new leadership team of Qatar to host this World Cup ing the globalised nature of like to have more people. tournament can serve to unite peo- will be bought by foreigners. This that is leading FIFA through the was a good one. football. Q. Finally, with your own per- ple through football? will give the world another per- reforms. Construction is going Q. In the space of just two We should be giving more sonal background working for 21 Fatma: Hopefully with the spective on how the World Cup is on well, with a special focus on hours you were able to see five dif- opportunities to regions like the years with United Nations pro- three million tickets that we plan staged in other countries outside the safety and security of all the ferent stadium sites, as well as the Middle East to demonstrate that grammes, do you think this to sell in Qatar, thelarger portion the main nations of football. Garcia not giving Generations of golf clash in Doha up on claiming elusive major The Peninsula delicious cuisine, golf and sports Anna Nordqvist activities, family fun, exciting Madrid he fairways of Doha competitions, and more. Reuters Golf Club are set for a Commenting on the headlin- spectacle of talent ing field and world-class ergio Garcia has finished from 23 – 26 Novem- entertainment, Mr. Hassan runner-up twice at both ber, as golf’s young Nasser Al Naimi, President of the S the British Open and Tstars Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Qatar Golf Association said, PGA Championship and while Carly Booth and Aditi Ashok con- “We are tremendously excited those near misses were tough firm their place in this month’s to bring the Qatar Ladies Open to to take the Spaniard is not inaugural Qatar Ladies Open the residents of Qatar in what is giving up hope of claiming (QLO), alongside famed players teeing up to be the capital’s ulti- that elusive first major. Trish Johnson, Dame Laura Dav- mate new event to see and The world number 14, ies and Anna Nordqvist. be-seen at. Promising a combina- who let a four-shot lead slip A full field of players will tion of inspiring young at the Open in 2007 before compete in Qatar’s first wom- up-and-coming athletes and leg- losing in a playoff to Padraig en’s professional golf ends of the game, as well as Harrington, also has top five tournament from 23-26 Novem- supreme golfing facilities, off- finishes at the other two ber for a chance to climb the course entertainment and majors, finishing third at the 2016 Order of Merit rankings delicious cuisine, the Qatar Ladies 2005 US Open and fourth at before the year is out. The Ladies Open will provide the perfect day the Masters in 2004. European Tour (LET) tourna- out for families and friends.” "When you have a lot of ment, held in Qatar for the first Ashok from India this Novem- tournaments, before claiming LET title, but will face stiff com- misses there's obviously time, is thanks to the Qatar Golf ber. At age 17, Ashok became the her first professional victory at petition from two greats of the QATAR LADIES always a little dent in the Association. youngest lady winner of LET’s Tipsport Golf Masters in the game in Dame Laura Davis and bumper in your car. It's just a Swedish star Anna Nordqvist Lalla Aicha Tour School last year. Czech Republic this year. Trish Johnson, who pipped OPEN (QLO) matter of having that week has committed herself to the Dutch talent Anne Van Dam will Koerstz's 20-year-old Dan- Nocera to win the 2014 Aberdeen Dame Laura Davies where everything happens," (QLO), sparking excitement be aiming to maintain top form ish compatriot Emily Kristine Asset Management Ladies Scot- has amassed 80 Garcia said. amongst golf fans across the after winning last month’s Xia- Pedersen, is another rising star tish Open. international titles "You feel really comfort- region, as the LPGA player and men International Ladies Open. who spectators should keep an Dame Laura Davies has including four major able and you feel like it's your world number 13 looks to bol- LET pro Maha Haddioui and eye out for. amassed 80 international titles, championships. week. I'm still giving myself ster her 2016 campaign. amateur Lina Belmati will both Isabelle Boineau of France, including four major champion- a lot of chances in a lot of Fan favourite Carly Booth, be flying the flag for Morocco who recently claimed her first ships which saw her inducted The Ladies European majors and the most impor- who already has two LET wins and Arabic women in golf, as the title at the Aberdeen Asset Man- into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Tour (LET) event, held tant thing is if I keep giving under her belt, will no doubt be pair are set to feature at the QLO. agement Ladies Scottish Open, The ultimate new event to in Qatar for the first myself chances, then I'll keep planning to make it a hat-trick The European talent continues will bolster the French constit- be-seen at, this latest addition to time, is taking place getting possibilities." as she competes in Doha for the with Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz uency as she joins Gwladys Doha’s calendar promises a thanks to the efforts The 36-year-old has first time. Madsen, 21, who completed her Nocera. unique four days of entertain- of Qatar Golf posted 22 top-10 finishes in the The QLO will also welcome first LET Rookie season in 2015 Tour legend Nocera will be ment, both on and off the golf Association. majors, and tied for fifth at the the much-talked about Aditi with six top-ten finishes in 16 hunting for her milestone 15th course, including US and British Opens this year. Solheim Cup to Erratic McDowell 'feeling good' for Mexico title defence be played at New Mexico The straight-hitting McDowell, whose Inverness in 2021 Graeme McDowell Reuters only major victory came at the 2010 US Open, missed the cut last week at the Shrin- Ohio rejuvenated Graeme McDowell heads ers Hospitals for Children Open in Las Reuters into his title defence at this week's Vegas on his first start on the 2016-17 PGA A OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico Tour.