BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Ruthless Djokovic outclasses Anderson 200 companies to join ‘Made in Qatar’ 2018 to end title exhibition in Oman drought published in QATAR since 1978 MONDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10881 July 16, 2018 Dhul-Qa’da 3, 1439 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Amir receives Our Say host’s mantle of 2022 FIFA World Cup By Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Editor-in-Chief OAmir congratulates Russia for organising a great World Cup ORussia ready to share World Cup experience with Qatar 2022 World Cup to QNA the whole country, got an enormous Moscow amount of pleasure from interacting herald new era of with soccer, with the world of soccer, with the fans who came here from all peace, prosperity is Highness the Amir Sheikh over the globe.” Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of- The FIFA president expressed his in Qatar, region Hfi cially received the mantle of content with the ceremony say- hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar ing “it’s so important that we can be from Russian President Vladimir Putin, here today in the iconic place of the hen His Highness the in the presence of FIFA president Gian- Kremlin to pass the World Cup host- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin ni Infantino, in a ceremony which was ing rights from the organiser of the WHamad al-Thani received held at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow 2018 World Cup to the organiser of the host’s mantle for the 2022 FIFA yesterday. the 2022 World Cup”. He said pas- World Cup in Moscow yesterday, The Amir extended congratulations sion, emotion, love, family and unity it marked a major milestone in the to the Russian president and the Rus- were the sentiments felt at 2018 FIFA annals of the international soccer sian people for the successful organisa- World Cup Russia and these will be tournament that will be held four tion of the 2018 World Cup. On behalf transferred to Qatar in 2022. years from now in Qatar. of himself and all lovers of football and Infantino said the 2022 edition will On 2 December 2010, Qatar was sports around the world, His High- leave a positive and vital impact. fairly awarded the honour of host- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving the mantle of hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from ness the Amir congratulated Russia for The handing over ceremony was at- ing the 2022 World Cup, beating off Russian President Vladimir Putin in the presence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Moscow yesterday. the great success and looked forward tended by members of the delegation bids from the United States, Aus- to welcoming everyone to 2022 World tralia, Japan, and South Korea. The Cup in Qatar. Amir attends fi nal match surprising, yet deserved, victory The Amir also thanked the friends in made Qatar the fi rst Middle Eastern Russia, especially the organising com- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim country to host football’s biggest mittee of 2018 World Cup for their co- bin Hamad al-Thani attended the 2018 tournament - from November 21 to Amir: 2022 World Cup Qatar operation with the organising commit- World Cup final between France and December 18. tee of 2022 World Cup, confi rming that Croatia in the presence of Russian Presi- The achievements deriving from they have benefi ted and look forward to dent Vladimir Putin and a number of Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup co-operating in organising the Qatar dignitaries, presidents, heads of govern- complement the numerous posi- a tournament for all Arabs World Cup. ments and guests of the tournament. tive results generated by the soft His Highness the Amir thanked In- France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World power and public diplomacy the fantino for all his eff orts and looked Cup final match at Moscow’s Luzhniki country has been practising for OAmir, Putin discuss ways to enhance ties forward to working together with him Stadium yesterday evening. decades. As already indicated in to organise 2022 World Cup. the article and in other regional The Amir stressed the importance of and international reports, this QNA 2022 World Cup to all Arabs as men- accompanying the Amir. From the Rus- achievement is a partial transla- Moscow tioned previously in 2010 and wel- sian side, the ceremony was attended tion of Qatar’s outlook towards a comed the world to attend Qatar World by a number of ministers and senior bright and thriving region. Cup. offi cials. In other words, Qatar has been is Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Sheikh Tamim confi rmed the suc- The tournament in Russia proceeded able to be a glowing and success- bin Hamad al-Thani and Russian cess of the tournament in Qatar and without any signifi cant organisational ful role model in the region through HPresident Vladimir Putin held a meet- stressed his great trust in the Arab hitches. There was no violence, and no investing in soft power projects like ing at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. youth and friends who will be present evidence of racism or harassment of Qatar Foundation, Qatar Investment At the outset of the meeting, Putin wel- in its organisation. visitors. Authority, Qatar Airways, Aljazeera comed the Amir and congratulated him for At the opening of the ceremony, Pu- The World Cup final between Media Network, beIN Sports, Qatar offi cially receiving the 2022 FIFA World Cup tin expressed his pride in organising France and Croatia began after the Media Corporation represented by host’s mantle. the World Cup in Russia, confi rming closing ceremony at Moscow’s Luzh- Al Kass Sports channels and other President Putin expressed confi dence that his certainty that Qatar will succeed in niki Stadium. big development projects. Adding to the people of Qatar will make the next tour- organising a similar high-class World US actor and rapper Will Smith, that, Qatar has emerged as the larg- nament a success, stressing his country’s Cup. US singer Nicky Jam and Albanian est exporter of LNG in the world. readiness to provide assistance in this area. “We are, of course, ready to share singer Era Istrefi got together to Following this path, Qatar presents For his part, the Amir extended thanks to the experience we acquired in holding sing the tournament’s official song, itself as an inspiring model for other the Russian president for the invitation, and the World Cup this year,” he said con- Live It Up. countries in the region to follow in once again congratulated him on the organi- fi rming that Russia will do its best to A cast of some 800 took part in the its footsteps. sation of the great event. promote sports and its role in uniting 15-minute show which featured Rus- Unfortunately though, while the His Highness the Amir affi rmed that Qa- people and countries. sian soprano Aida Garifullina singing optimism is at its fullest, the host- tar will work hard in organising the World “Russia is handing over the relay ba- “Kalinka,” with former Brazil star Ro- ing country still has to overcome the Cup in 2022. ton for hosting the FIFA World Cup to naldinho joining in on a samba drum to many hurdles created by the Gulf He referred to a group of 200 people from Qatar,” Putin said. huge cheers while offi cial mascot Zabi- crisis of 2017. Although the siege Qatar who were working with the team or- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Russian “We are proud of what we did for fans vaka cavorted with a troupe of dancers. didn’t aff ect the preparations for the ganising the Russia World Cup. To Page 2 President Vladimir Putin meet at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. of this wonderful sport. We ourselves, Pages 2, 22, 23 tournament, the psychological im- pact of it has left a huge shock on the people of the region. One year has passed since the crisis was ‘created’ but Qatar still holds a firm belief that the Ku- France beat Croatia to win World Cup in a thriller waiti mediation will work and that people of the region will have the AFP pain of their defeat in the Euro fi rst, courtesy of an own goal in French striker off but he held his wonderful opportunity of experi- Moscow 2016 fi nal on home soil. the 18th minute by Mario Man- nerve to lash the spot-kick into encing an exceptional and unique For the small nation of dzukic following an Antoine the net. tournament that brings together Croatia, the loss spells bitter Griezmann free-kick but they Croatia were fi rst out after people not only of the same reli- rance won their second pain but fans at home will cel- were pegged back by a lovely half-time and again were into gion and culture, but also races, World Cup 20 years after ebrate the best run in the na- Ivan Perisic strike 10 minutes their stride quickly, with the beliefs, and ideologies. Ftheir maiden triumph on tion’s history, which featured a later. brilliant Luka Modric pulling As a result of the crisis, many yesterday, seeing off a dogged stunning win against Argentina Griezmann restored France’s the strings in midfi eld as roars football fans from Saudi Arabia, and desperate Croatia side who and a semi-fi nal victory against lead from the penalty spot after of “Croatia” echoed round the the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt have refused to lie down in one of the England.