The 2022 FIFA World Cup will set a new benchmark for future events: Al Thawadi
Qatar shocked the rest of the world in 2010 when football’s world governing body FIFA awarded it the 2022 World Cup.
It had gotten past much bigger and better established countries to pull off a sporting coup of sorts. Ever since then, the country has been gearing up for the mega tournament in right earnest.
And now, with just a little over four years to go for the historic tournament, preparations have been gathering pace.
I’m at the #QatarGermanyForum today to explain Qatar’s plans for the #FIFAWorldCup and explore how German companies can contribute further to 2022, drawing on the country's expertise in hosting the tournament in 2006 pic.twitter.com/2OuB8POSmP
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), which is in charge of organising the competition, said the tournament would set a new legacy benchmark for future sporting events.
Al Thawadi was speaking at a panel discussion during the recently held Qatar-Germany Business and Investment Economic Forum in Berlin, Germany.
The SC Secretary General spoke about lessons Qatar had gleaned off organisation of other mega-sporting events, including World Cups and Olympic Games.
H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, sees the 2006 World Cup in Germany as a benchmark for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.#QatarGermanyForum pic.twitter.com/xWyzFyX25t
“The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany was particularly inspirational for us because that tournament’s legacy is still being felt today. We adopted the same approach with our preparations,” he said.
“Planning for legacy begins the moment you win the right to host the tournament. From demountable stadiums to promoting healthy living, I’m confident the 2022 World Cup will be a benchmark for future events from a legacy perspective,” he was quoted as saying by the SC’s official website.”
Al Thawadi recognised Germany’s ‘principled’ support for Qatar since the onset of the illegal blockade.
Delighted to take part in the Qatar-German Forum for Business & Investment in Berlin. Here is #TeamSPB Doha Office Managing Partner, Charbel Maakaron with HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy & Mr. Izzat Nuseibeh, CEO, BLOM Bank Qatar pic.twitter.com/qkrWjuJGSO
He also discussed the vital role over 30 German companies have played in Qatar’s World Cup preparations to date, reported Gulf Times.
German firms have been involved in the development of major tournament infrastructure, including five of the eight stadiums planned for the tournament.
He also highlighted the positives of the compact 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Qatar’s compact hosting concept will make 2022 FIFA World Cup the most unique in the game’s history. The concept will provide players with more time for rest and recovery between games while enabling fans to enjoy the tournament from one accommodation location,” he told Qatar Tribune.
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