SPORT SPORTS | 09 SPORT | 10 US Open without BCCI source fans would hints at IPL devalue title taking place win, says Cilic later this year THURSDAY 21 MAY 2020 NFL set to Qatar 2022 will unite the globe once lose $5.5bn if it plays in virus is defeated, says Al Thawadi empty THE PENINSULA —DOHA Spectacular Al Bayt Stadium stadiums The Secretary General of the AFP — NEW YORK Al Bayt Stadium is seen as the sun goes down and Iftar begins. Fans arriving at this Supreme Committee for 60,000-capacity arena will have never seen anything like it. A giant tent structure Delivery & Legacy (SC) believes NFL teams stand to lose a will cover this whole stadium in the northern city of Al Khor. The stadium will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar combined $5.5bn in matches right through to the FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-finals. 2022™ has the potential to unite stadium revenue if the the globe once the COVID-19 2020 campaign is played pandemic has been defeated. without any spectators, Hassan Al Thawadi (pic- according to a Forbes tured) outlined the SC’s magazine estimate. response to COVID-19 and dis- The magazine, which cussed tournament prepara- annually values each NFL tions during Leaders Week club, said the amount Direct – a global sports industry teams would lose with no conference currently being held spectators due to the coro- online due to the ongoing navirus pandemic equals pandemic. 38 percent of total NFL Speaking during an interview revenue from the 2018 with James Worrall, Leaders CEO season, the latest from & Founder, Al Thawadi said the which figures are SC had moved quickly to protect available. its workforce once the pandemic That includes lost reached Qatar. revenue from ticket sales, “It’s an unprecedented sit- parking, sponsors, food uation and our immediate focus isolated at-risk workers, pro- and there are big implications is no blueprint for a post-COVID situation had helped boost resil- and drinks and souvenir was our workers’ health and vided awareness materials and on business, employment and world – but we can look and ience in the country – but sales. It’s uncertain safety,” said Al Thawadi. educated people about best livelihoods. We need to con- anticipate, and try to under- hoped it would be eased in whether or not fans will be “In coordination with the practice. We also took other sider the ability of fans to afford stand what the recovery is going order to allow people to attend able to attend 2020 NFL Ministry of Public Health, we actions, such as disinfecting to visit and participate in the to look like. We need to host an the tournament. games, with state work sites, to limit the spread World Cup. We’re in discussions event which is affordable for “In many ways, the shutdown regulations as much as possible.” with experts and also other fans and functionable for indus- blockade has been a blessing in against large crowds and Al Thawadi said Qatar is tournament holders, such as tries and supply chains.” disguise for Qatar. It has forced possible medical advances guaranteeing the salaries of Tokyo 2020, to plan and put Al Thawadi went on to say us to be self-reliant and look likely to impact such plans. anyone affected by the pandemic. scenarios together. Qatar’s World Cup has the inwards. It’s actually helped us The absence of spec- It may sound “Our government is ensuring eve- “We’ve said from day one potential to unify the globe once become better prepared to deal tators would hit some idealistic, but ryone gets paid – even if they are this will be an affordable expe- COVID-19 has been defeated. with COVID. We’re now number teams harder than others, isolated or hospitalised due to the rience. We demonstrated that “It may sound idealistic, but 13 in the world when it comes but none more than the COVID-19 has made illness,” he said. during the Club World Cup by COVID-19 has made us realise to food security and, as soon as Dallas Cowboys, who us realise we are Despite COVID-19, Qatar is working closely with clubs, fan we are all social creatures. The COVID came along, Qatari com- would lose $621m in all social creatures. on track to deliver de ve much uc of o its ts groupsgoupsadQata and Qatar Airways. ways. impactpact on o our ou mental e ta health, panies started producing 8 stadium income -- more infrastructureucture byby thethe endend ofof thisthis ThereThere thethe uncertainty, socialsocia dis- million face masks per week, than the total revenue of The impact on our year. tancing,tancing, not beingbeing ableab to along with 2,000 ventilators any other NFL franchise mental health, the “We are continuing to workwork engage withwith eacheach otherother – eve- [for local requirements and and a huge chunk of their uncertainty, social at a muchuch slower pace than ryoneryone misses human inter- global aid].” $950m total revenue. normal but wewe areare blessed withwith action. I’ve alwaysal Al Thawadi continued: New England Patriots distancing, not already beingbeing aheadahead ofof thethe dreameddreamed big andan said “Support from the people of the would lose $315m from being able to engage game in terms ofof infrastructure.infrastructure. thisthis is a WorWorldld CupC to region – notably blockading total revenues of $600m We havee completed more than bringbring peoplepeople togethertog countries – is there. People are while the New York Giants with each other – 80% of venuesvenues – two-and-a-two-and-a- – andand goodnessgoo very excited about the tour- ranked third at $262m lost everyone misses half yearsrs beforebefore kick-off.”kick-off.” knows,knows, afterafter COVID,C nament. We hosted the Gulf Cup from $519m in total human interaction. Al Thawadihawadi saidsaid oneone of the wewe havehave to come last year, which included teams revenue. core challengesallenges for Qatar 2022 backback together.togethe We from blockading countries. Two The Tampa Bay Buc- I’ve always dreamed is to ensuresure thethe tournament is needneed to get ooverv this thousand Bahrain fans were caneers, 24th of 31 teams big and said this is economicallyically accessibleaccessible to fansfans andand celebratecelebrat col- here to see their country win the on the list with $119m in who wishsh to attend.attend. lectivelylectively duringd Gulf Cup for the first time in lost revenue from a a World Cup to bring “It’s difficultdifficult QatarQatar 2022.”2022.” their history. $400m total, would expect people together – and for anyoneyone to Al ThawadiThawa was “I hope the blockading a major jump in ticket goodness knows, paint a clearlear alsoalso askedasked about countries remove the travel sales and associated picture ofof a the ongoingong restrictions. There are no income after signing six- after COVID, we post-COVIDVID blockadeblockade which restrictions from Qatar. I hope time Super Bowl champion have to come back world. ThisThis QatarQata is they remove them for what is quarterback Tom Brady. together. We need is the firstfirst subjectedsubjec to a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- The Chargers, second- time in thethe by severalse tunity for the people of our worst in the report with to get over this and modernrn nneigh-e i region. By 2022, I’m optimistic $93m in lost revenue from celebrate collectively worldl d bouringbou we will have overcome this a $375m total, are set to where all countries.cou pandemic. I’m optimistic we move from a smaller during Qatar 2022. economicmic He said will have become more venue into a new $5bn Hassan Al Thawadi activity hashas thet resilient as a human race. It’s stadium with 70,000 seats come too a politicalpo a chance for us all to celebrate for regular NFL games. standstilltilll together.” Hockenheim ready to step in if Silverstone fails REUTERS — LONDON Silverstone, which this year emergency services, Teske said, marks the 70th anniversary of but could move fast on the tech- Hockenheim is ready to step in hosting the first world champi- nical side. if British quarantine restrictions onship race, has been ear- The return of Bundesliga prevent Silverstone from marked for two closed-door soccer behind closed doors last hosting a Formula One race races following two in Austria weekend had also provided a during the COVID-19 pandemic, in July. reference point while the lack the German circuit’s boss said Hockenheim, which hosted of an existing contract meant yesterday. the German Grand Prix last year Hockenheim had a ‘blank Jorn Teske said that a but could not agree a new deal sheet’. decision needed to be made on acceptable terms, is an “Others have a contract in soon, however. obvious alternative. place which might be a bit more “We are talking with F1, Teske said Hockenheim was complicated in regards to costs that’s correct. We have spoken keen to help but needed to they had already and other costs about the idea of having a race make money and did not want coming up because of prepara- without spectators here at the to turn away business while tions which were initiated circuit,” he said. waiting for a possibility. already,” said Teske. “We already checked if this “What is really crucial for us “We can just say OK, if we could be possible, from dates as is not to be pending now for find a time slot then we have A file photo of German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, Germany, well as the legal general point months. We have to get our these costs. And then we come which took place on July 28, 2019. of view. For us, it is an option.” circuit booked and there is a together or not.