SPORT Wednesday 7 December 2016 PAGE | 27 PAGE | 28 Bjorn to captain David Warner'ser's Europe at 2018 big day in Ryder Cup Canberra Experts don't see Asian countries dominating at World Cup just yet Armstrong Vas The Peninsula o Asian country has ever won the FIFA World Cup since 1930 and the script is Nunlikely to change for another two editions, foot- ball administrators say. In a candid chat at a Soc- Qatar Football Association Board cerex Asian Forum, football pundits - drawn from differ- member Hani Ballan receiving the Asian ent continents - said that Football Confederation (AFC) Dream they did not see the prospect Asia Award at the AFC Annual Awards Abdullah Fehani, Project Manager for of an Asian country winning 2016 ceremony in Abu Dhabi, UAE last Al Rayyan Stadium, giving a progress the game's showpiece event Thursday. in the coming years. update on the stadiums currently under Daniel Cravo, Senior construction in Qatar, during the second partner at Cravo, Pastl & Bal- day of Soccerx Asian Forum 2016 at the buena, one of the panelists, Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha yesterday. QFA wins 'AFC said Brazil and Germany are Pictures by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula the leading contenders for the title when the World Cup hosting the FIFA World Cup in Dream Asia is held in Qatar. 2022," Ezzat said. “For me, Europe is one "China is definitely a step ahead of South Amer- great place to learn from. Award' for Koora ica. There are a lot of good Saudi Council of Ministers players from Brazil playing has approved privatisation in different leagues in the of professional football clubs Time Initiative world. They are little young in the Kingdom and convert- now but I trust the (new) ing them into companies. generation,” Cravo said "The General Authority The Peninsula yesterday. of Sports will grant licenses “German will be very to these companies with cer- he Qatar Football Association (QFA) was strong in tune with the tain terms and conditions, named winner of the Asian Football upcoming two editions and Trevor Watkins, Global Daniel Cravo, Senior Adel Ezzat, Saudi Arabian which we will have to wait T Confederation (AFC) Dream Asia Award Spain will rebuild,” he added Head of Sports at Partner, Cravo, Pastl and Football Federation for and see. at the AFC Annual Awards 2016 gala event in quickly. Pinsent Masons Balbuena Presidential Candidate "The Authority will also Abu Dhabi last Thursday. European and South develop rules and regula- The QFA claimed this year’s social respon- American teams have dom- people play football in Asia investments made by Chi- other’s players. In recent tions for the operation of the sibility accolade for the second time in three inated all World Cup editions than in Europe. There are nese buyers in overseas time, several top Latin clubs. This privatisation of years, recognising the success of the Koora even though 20 million more more football players in Asia clubs. The panel felt the Chi- American and European clubs is expected to increase Time Initiative which was developed in part- than in the Caribbean and nese market has a created a players have signed with investment available to build nership with Qatar Shell. North, Central, and South new buzz from Europe to Chinese clubs. stadiums and bring in for- The prestigious AFC Dream Asia Award Asia yet to shine America combined, but the South America. In January Chelsea’s eign transfers," Ezzat added. is presented to an outstanding Member Asso- European and South World Cup title has eluded “The Chinese market Brazilian midfielder Ramires The situation in India, ciation in recognition and appreciation of its American teams the Asians. has created a new move- went to Jiangsu Suning for a however, is different said social development work through football. have overshadowed Adel Ezzat, Saudi Ara- ment of players from Chinese Super League Cravo. Players who are on Koora Time is a five-year sustainable ini- bian Football Federation Europe to Asia but they still record €28m while Hebei the verge of retirement got tiative designed to improve the health and all the editions of President, said the Nether- are not the top players. They China Fortune bought Ivo- to India to play in the Indian wellbeing of Qatar’s youth through football. the world Cup, even lands could also spring a are the players who are still rian striker Gervinho from Super League (IPS). The initiative facilitates access to additional though 20 million surprise at the next two seeking competition. They AS Roma for €18m and “From another prospec- hours of physical activity and more oppor- more people play editions. are still seeking to move to Shanghai Shenhua swooped tive, India is attracting another tunities and spaces to play football. The football in Asia than “I do not see the prospect Europe back from Asia,” on Inter Milan’s Colombian profile of athletes, mainly top flagship programme Il’Ab We’Yana provides in Europe. of any Asian country win- said Cravo. international Fredy Guarin players who are closer to each child with an additional 72 hours of ning the World Cup but if The Chinese have been for €13m. retirement,” Cravo said. " physical activity over its 18-week duration. There are more there is any country which poaching talent from the The Chinese model for Each Asian country has Since its launch in March 2013, the pro- football players in deserve to win the Cup it is world’s richest leagues with football growth - that they a different approach Cravo gramme has benefitted over 17,500 children Asia than in the the Netherlands,” Ezzat said big-money transfers in an bring high profile players to said. “So it is hard to describe across Qatar. Last year’s programme saw a Caribbean and while addressing delegates attempt to build football. their leagues and buy clubs the continental approach as significant reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) North, Central, and in a session moderated by The Chinese clubs were in Europe - could help GCC each country has its peculi- by 80% of participants. BMI is a measure of South America Trevor Watkins, Global Head responsible for three of the football improve, Ezzat said. arity but sill for people from body fat based on height and weight. combined, but the of Sport of Pinsent Masons. four biggest deals in the last “This privatisation is a South America it is a very In recognition for its positive impact on The panel discussed big- winter transfer window, the learning for us in the GCC attractive market because of the health of youth, KOORA TIME has been World Cup title has spending approach of mid-season period when where we have loads of oppor- the numbers involved," he the recipient of numerous awards including eluded the Asians. Chinese clubs and also the clubs can bid for each tunities, particularly with Qatar said. the ‘Sports Industry Award’ for Best CSR Ini- tiative, ‘CSR Award Qatar’ for Best CSR Impact Initiative, the ‘Dar Al Sharq Corpo- rate Social Responsibility Award’ for the Best Sports Initiative, and the ‘2014 AFC Dream Cooke highlights importance of handling of Asia Award’ in the area of social responsibility. Since Koora Time’s inauguration in March 2013, QFA and Qatar Shell have wit- security-related issues at major events nessed some truly fantastic results. These international awards acknowledge just how The Peninsula Security Operations, drew upon his host cities and nations, as well as to serve and safeguard sport, the ICSS much the two organisations can contribute 25 year experience, speaking on a sporting bodies, to better collaborate encourages an integrated approach to society in hopes that others are inspired to ith the growing influence panel entitled ‘Preparing for Major and share information at a global to sharing knowledge and expertise follow suit. of technology and the Event Tournaments’. level about how to effectively address in sport safety and security. We are The Koora Time initiative is part of QFA’s Wincreasing security chal- Cooke underlined how the grow- the growing challenges major sport also firmly committed to bringing CSR strategy which aims to constantly lever- lenges facing host and bidding ing influence of technology in sport events are facing around their safety together knowledge and experience age on its existing partnerships to educate nations, a leading Safety and Secu- is resulting in the need for more and security," Cooke said. from all sectors around the world and the communities about the positive values of rity expert from the International sports and countries around the world “As we have seen over the last 12 sharing our expertise to help host cit- playing football and inspire the youth to play Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) yes- to collaborate and share knowledge months, hosting and bidding nations ies and nations ultimately deliver a football terday highlighted the need for in the field of major event security continue to face a growing number safe and secure event," Cooke said. “At Qatar Shell we are committed to sup- enhanced international collabora- and to ensure lessons are learnt in of challenges when it comes to major “At a time where major events are porting the Qatar National Vision 2030 by tion and information sharing at a combatting security issues in sport. event security. These include issues looking to cut costs yet the number working with Qatari partners to create and global level between sports and “At a time where technology is around cybersecurity, fan violence of security threats are continuing to deliver long-term contributions to society that countries in major event security. playing an increasingly central role and crowd management issues, ter- increase, the need for global collab- generate measurable social impact,” said Speaking on the sidelines of the in our lives and the way people con- rorism, crime and unmanned aerial oration and collective action in field Mohammed Abu Jbara, CSR Manager, Qatar Soccerex Asia Forum in Doha, sume major sport events, there is now vehicles (UAVs) to name just a few." of major event security has never Shell.