08 SPORT THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2020 THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 09 The sports achievements QATAR 2020 Slick show all the way as Qatar hosts events, unveils stadiums RIZWAN REHMAT capital’s city second European Tour THE PENINSULA golf venue. On Qatar’s National Day, the Australian football great Tim Supreme Committee for Two football giants. Twevlve Cahill said at the time: “Although I Delivery & Legacy (SC) unveiled thousand screaming fans. One would have much preferred to be the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the magnificent stadium. there in person, I was still honoured The setting could not have been and excited to take part virtually fourth stadium of the 2022 more alluring for a sports fan in when the completion of Education FIFA World Cup to be Qatar. On Qatar’s National Day, the City Stadium – the third tour- inaugurated in Qatar. Supreme Committee for Delivery nament-ready venue for the next The 40,000-seater marked the & Legacy (SC) unveiled the Ahmad FIFA World Cup – was marked in special occasion with the Amir Bin Ali Stadium, the fourth stadium Doha, Qatar. Having been there for of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be the opening of Al Janoub Stadium, Cup final between Al Sadd and inaugurated in Qatar. in May 2019, I can vouch that there Al Arabi, watched by the Amir The 40,000-seater marked the is nothing like seeing these stunning H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad special occasion with a final buildings up close – however the Al Thani, FIFA President Gianni between Al Sadd and Al Arabi. The digital launch of Education City Infantino, UEFA President two football clubs with the largest Stadium, dedicated to frontline fan bases in Qatar battled for the workers, was a fitting tribute con- Aleksander Ceferin and the AFC Amir Cup title - which was won by sidering the challenges the world chief Shaikh Salman bin Al Sadd - after a match that was has faced throughout 2020.” Ebrahim Al Khalifa along with The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and President of Qatar Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hands over the trophy to Al Sadd skipper Hassan Al Haydos Olympic Committee and Chairman of Doha 2030, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, receivie a document from OCA President Sheikh World No.1 Ali Farag lifts the trophy in the presence of Qatar Olympic watched by the Amir H H Sheikh In another key sporting scores of dignitaries. after the 2020Amir Cup final played at the brand new Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in this December 18 Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, FIFA moment to remember from this Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah during the 39th Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly Meeting in Muscat, where Doha was announced Committee President, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, and President file photo. Al Sadd beat Al Arabi 2-1 in the Amir Cup final. President Gianni Infantino, UEFA year includes Qatar hosting two as the host of the 2030 Asian Games. of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation Nasser bin Ghanim President Aleksander Ceferin and month-long football events - the Al Khelaifi after winning the Qatar Classic Squash Championship 2020 FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the AFC chief Shaikh Salman bin matches of the East and West Zones in this November 7 file photo. Tonight (December 18, a visit to the under-construction Ebrahim Al Khalifa along with of the 2020 AFC Champions Doha wins Lusail Stadium, the venue of the scores of dignitaries. League. Both events - hosted in 2020) was an 2022 FIFA World Cup final. A spectacular fireworks show Sept-Oct and Nov-Dec windows - immensely proud added glitter to a memorable were completed by creating 2030 Asian occasion for Qatar and the occasion as coach Xavi’s Al Sadd bubble-to-bubble environment people of Al Rayyan. It was celebrated winning the Amir Cup around the team hotels, training a culmination of a rigorous title for the 17th time in the club’s facilities and the match venues. history. For Al Arabi’s coach Heimir Statistics released by SC show a Games bid race effort taken by multiple Hallgrimson and his players, it was total of 48,323 COVID-19 tests were stakeholders across several a day to cherish as they reached carried out across the AFC Cham- RIZWAN REHMAT months, beginning with the the title clash of Qatar’s most pions League matches and the Amir THE PENINSULA AFC Champions League, popular football tournament after Cup final. With expert help and until tonight where we saw 27 years. guidelines coming from the Min- On December 116,6, 2020, ThereThere waswas a wholewhole teamteam And yes, a little away from the istry of Public Health (MOPH), the 2030 Asiann Games thousands of fans safely thatthat workedworked hardhard insideinside match intensity, the world approv- Qatar won praise from far and wide were awardedd to DoDohaha andand outsideoutside the enjoying the spectacle. We ingly celebrated the inauguration as the region struggled to complete after the Qatariri capitalcapital are looking forward to of the stadium two years ahead of sports events that were put on hold - also knownn as thethe committee.committee. I tthankhank HisHis hosting more safe and schedule. in March. More than 900 players sports capitalal of ththee HighnessHighness the Amir Sheikh secure events in the coming FIFA President Infantino, who and backroom staff from 30 teams region - wonwon thethe Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has made a series of visits to Qatar played in a total of 76 matches. The Olympic Counciluncil of months, and we sincerely and everyoneeveryone who Al Duhail emerged QNB Stars League 2019-2020 in the last four months, was partic- SC said it ‘constituted the largest feeling,” the World No. 1 added. Asia (OCA) votee in a bid supportedsupported our bid filefile - champions on August 21 with a record of 16 wins, hope that the world will ularly thrilled with the fourth 2022 bubble-to-bubble sporting event On September 26, Doha race with SauSaudidi 4 losses and 2 draws. quickly overcome the World Cup venue getting match since the outbreak of the COVID-19 created a bio-secure environment candidate cityy Riyadh.Riyadh. fromfrom the MinistryMinistry ofof pandemic and resume life ready. pandemic’. for the last round of the 2020 The long-awaitedawaited Foreign AffairsAffairs and allall “Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is a AFC President Shaikh Salman Diamond League. The final meet announcementent waswas and sports as we’ve always ambassadorsambassadors abroad.abroad. It Pole Vault world record Over the last three months, Qatar has shown the world how wonderful venue for football. The in a statement posted on the AFC attracted 27 World and Olympic made by OCAA Pres-Pres- was a longlong andand arduousarduous holder Armand (Mondo)(Mondo) enjoyed them: Nasser Al football can continue to be played and fans remain engaged atmosphere is incredible, with the website said: “On behalf of the medallists. Thrilling performances ident Sheikh AhmadAhmad Al Al campaign.campaign. I givegive thanksthanks to DuplantisDuplantis completedcompleted Khater,hater, CEOCEO,, FIFA WorWorldld seats extremely close to the pitch. Asian football family, I want to on the track and field provided a Fahad Al Sabahabah ofof despite the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all facing. The an unbeaten season,season, Cupup QatarQatar Even with a socially-distanced underline our gratitude once again fitting end to the coronavirus- Kuwait after ccountingounting GodGod that we will be Amir Cup Final 2020, which helped inaugurate the fourth edgingedging AmericanAmerican worldworld 2022022 LLCLLC crowd, I could feel the passion for to the Qatar Football Association, affected season. World record of votes was heldeld at JWJW hostinghosting the Asian GamesGames FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium, as well as the AFC Champions the game. I am sure this will be a the Qatar Authorities and all our holder Armand (Mondo) Duplantis, Marriot Hotelel in the again.again. Qatar has become a championchampion SamSam Kendricks onon SeptemberSeptember 26 in a bio- League Final, welcomed more than 10,000 fans back into the perfect football arena in 2022 when participating clubs. It was an World champion Hellen Obiri and Omani capital.l. signsign of Asia’s confidence: stands for each match. I was present for both matches and it hosts matches during the World incredible team effort that show- double Olympic champion Elaine “I can now secure environment duringduring Doha 20302030 BidBid thethe last round of the 2020 saw first-hand the seamless health and safety protocols put Cup. I would like to congratulate cased the unity and solidarity of Thompson-Herah clinched vic- announce... thatthat thethe Qatar on the completion of this Asian football. I must also thank our tories as the 2020 Diamond League city who hadhad the CCommitteeommittee CChairmanhairman H E DiamondDiamond LeagueLeague whichwhich in place by Qatar and the Local Organising Committee, which latest World Cup project. The broadcast partners, our loyal concluded with a grand one-day highest vote andand will SheikhSheikh Joaan bin attracted 2277 WorldWorld andand ensured players and fans could confidently compete and country is very well prepared for sponsors as well as the media and event at the Qatar Sports Club host 2030 is Doha,”oha,” the Hamad Al Thani OlympicOlympic medallists at the watch the matches. Qatar has set a benchmark for the safe the next World Cup and on track our passionate fans, so many of Stadium in Doha. OCA Presidentent saidsaid QatarQatar SSportsports CClublub StadiumStadium in Doha.Doha. resumption of football in the COVID-19 world: to host a memorable version of the whom continue to be engaged in Duplantis, who broke Sergey raising a pplacardlacard FIFA President Gianni Infantino tournament – the first in the Middle record numbers.