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DOHA: Qatar’s ruler stated Sunday that the Gulf state had delivered on a vow to carry an “distinctive” World Cup. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who gave Argentina captain Lionel Messi a bisht, a standard Arab cloak after his aspect received the trophy, paid tribute to the finalists and followers in a Twitter assertion after the match.
“We have now fulfilled our promise to prepare an distinctive championship by Arab nations, which offered a possibility for the folks of the world to be taught concerning the richness of our tradition and the originality of our values,” the Amir stated. Qatar spent greater than $200 billion on stadiums and new infrastructure forward of the primary World Cup in an Arab nation, which FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated was the “greatest ever”. Messi was prominently pictured carrying the bisht earlier than he lifted the World Cup trophy.
After the World Cup earned Qatar each plaudits and censure, the energy-rich Gulf state is now beginning a marathon to safe the 2036 Olympics and a spot as a pillar of world sport. At the same time as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored targets and shed tears in Qatar’s multibillion-dollar stadiums, its sports activities directors have been reserving new victories off the pitch.
Through the match, Qatar was awarded the 2025 world desk tennis championships and the opening race of the world endurance championship in 2024, including to its packed sports activities calendar. System One returns in 2023, and a serious renovation of Qatar’s race monitor went forward in the course of the World Cup shutdown. Qatar additionally stepped in when China withdrew from holding the 2023 Asian Cup soccer and is to stage the world swimming championships in 2024.
Its beIn Sports activities channel with its rising viewership and rights portfolio solely provides to Qatar’s sports activities muscle. Internet hosting occasions is “a really highly effective game-changing device”, stated Michael Payne, a former head of promoting for the Worldwide Olympic Committee. Qatar is ploughing forward with its sporting ambitions, and different federations have additionally welcomed Qatar’s largesse.
An official with the Worldwide Desk Tennis Federation stated: “Qatar stepped in to assist arrange occasions when COVID devastated the calendar, and its amenities are all in place”. Qatar received an amazing majority within the ITTF vote towards Spain for the 2025 championships. The 2036 Olympics – which is not going to be awarded earlier than 2025 – is the subsequent massive prize. Sheikh Tamim is an IOC member and Qatar has already bid for the 2016, 2020 and 2032 Video games.
The IOC has a declared coverage of rotating the Video games, and the Olympics have by no means been held within the Center East. However the scorching summer season temperatures of as much as 50 levels Celsius imply the IOC must change the Video games to the winter months. Qatar may face competitors from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which has beforehand bid 5 occasions.
The Saudis have been a part of a Gulf blockade of Qatar from 2017 to 2021. Ties have since been restored, and Qatar has highlighted the Arab fervor proven on the World Cup to assert its success. The Saudis pulled off a shock win over Argentina, and Morocco reached the semifinals.
“It stays to see how lengthy the Arab unity and revitalization of the FIFA World Cup 2022 will final after the ultimate whistle,” stated Danyel Reiche, an affiliate professor at Georgetown College in Qatar who’s main a World Cup undertaking. Reiche stated sport ought to change into “a device for peace-building”.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia ought to launch a joint Olympic bid, copying the co-hosting of the subsequent World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada and different massive occasions, Reiche stated. “Co-hosting sporting occasions with different Center East nations would add to Qatar’s picture of being a great international citizen that has, for instance, mediated in main conflicts,” stated Reiche. – AFP
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