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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
A spectacular show marked the official opening of Qatar Fan Zone at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena on Sunday.
The amazing display gave an idea of how the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar would look like.
At the opening ceremony, more than 180 artistes took part in a dazzling performance to the cheering of the crowd.
Football fans then enjoyed a World Cup 2018 match between Germany and Mexico, which was screened at the Fan Zone, followed by a concert by Qatari singer Fahd al Kubaisi.
The opening ceremony was organised jointly by The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCS) and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
Entry to the Qatar Fan Zone is free and it gives visitors a chance to sample the excitement of the month-long football extravaganza in an atmosphere that emulates World Cup venues in Russia.
The Fan Zone's opening ceremony also marked the start of this year's Qatar Summer Festival, which kicked off on the first day of Eid Al Fitr. Organised by QTA, the 11-week festival is a nationwide celebration of the country's diverse retail and hospitality offerings, complemented by a host of entertainment and sports activities.
Speaking to the media, QTA Director of Festivals and Events Mashal Shahbik said,"We want to bring the communities together and say that Qatar is a hub which welcomes everyone. Football is not only about young adults and males but it is about the family, engagement and having fun."
She said that the fan zone gives people a chance to feel the World Cup atmosphere without travelling to Russia.
The fan zone features around 40 food outlets. Last Friday it attracted more than 3,000 visitors, according to Shahbik.
She said that besides the Qatar Fan Zone there are other activities being organised as part of Qatar Summer Festival at Summer Entertainment City and malls.
Talking about initiatives to welcome visitors from Oman and Kuwait, Shahbik said,"We are continuing digital campaigns in those destinations. We are also doing promotional campaigns in collaboration with hotels."
SC Communications Director Fatma al Nuaimi said"We are trying to get the atmosphere of how it will be like in the World Cup 2022. We want everybody to experience Russia here."
According to her, in two days they have had over 6,000 fans at the zone.
In a statement, SC Assistant Secretary-General for Tournament Affairs Nasser al Khater said,"It's been fantastic to see so many passionate fans here today enjoying everything Qatar Fan Zone has to offer. This attraction is giving people the chance to sample a World Cup atmosphere four years before we host the biggest show on earth."
Abdulrahman Musallam al Dosari, advisor to the minister of culture and sports, said,"We are delighted that so many people of all ages have enjoyed attending Qatar Fan Zone over the Eid weekend. Working alongside the SC and QTA, we remain committed to enhancing the culture of sports in Qatar, as the country gets ever closer to hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup."
QTA Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer Rashed al Qurese said"We are very pleased to have launched Qatar Fan Zone in partnership with both the SC and MCS. It is truly an example of the cross-sector collaboration required for delivering impactful tourism products and events."
Qatar Fan Zone is open every day from 2 pm to midnight until June 28, and from 4pm to midnight between June 30 and July 15 and will operate on match days only.
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18/06/2018
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