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Tribune News Network
Doha
The 2022 FIFA World Cup has the potential to positively change the destiny of Qatar and the region, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary-General Hassan al Thawadi has said.
Speaking to commemorate the ‘four years to go’ countdown to the tournament, Thawadi told beIN Sports that Qatar 2022 is not simply about 28 days of football, but leaving a lasting legacy to benefit future generations.
“This is not a tournament just to bring people over, celebrate football and leave,” he said. “If you truly understand what this does for you, for a nation; it changes lives.
It can change history. It can change perceptions, economies, societies and
industries.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the region – a region that is absolutely crazy about the sport. The people of this region live, drink and breathe football. Plain and simple. It’s the one common denominator,” he said.
Thawadi said he hopes the political situation will have changed by 2022 and reiterated the positive sentiment in relation to the tournament across the region, including citizens of blockading countries.
“From day one, our goal and our aim was that this is not a Qatari bid,” he explained. “This was an Arab, Middle Eastern bid – first and foremost. We recently opened up our volunteer programme for people to register. Today, we are at 250,000, and among them are people from the blockading nations.”
“So if you ask me whether there is a desire from the people of the region to celebrate, to participate, to be part of this World Cup? Absolutely. And are we welcoming them? We will welcome them with open arms.”
The Secretary-General also addressed recent speculation surrounding the potential expansion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup from 32 to 48 teams – saying plans remain firmly on course to deliver a tournament format as per the bid promise.
He said: “There is a feasibility study that is currently ongoing. From our side we are continuing with preparations for a 32-team format.
“There are a lot of issues that need to be assessed and addressed. I don’t want to pre-conclude what will be out there, but as of today it’s a 32-team World Cup.”
Doha
The 2022 FIFA World Cup has the potential to positively change the destiny of Qatar and the region, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary-General Hassan al Thawadi has said.
Speaking to commemorate the ‘four years to go’ countdown to the tournament, Thawadi told beIN Sports that Qatar 2022 is not simply about 28 days of football, but leaving a lasting legacy to benefit future generations.
“This is not a tournament just to bring people over, celebrate football and leave,” he said. “If you truly understand what this does for you, for a nation; it changes lives.
It can change history. It can change perceptions, economies, societies and
industries.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the region – a region that is absolutely crazy about the sport. The people of this region live, drink and breathe football. Plain and simple. It’s the one common denominator,” he said.
Thawadi said he hopes the political situation will have changed by 2022 and reiterated the positive sentiment in relation to the tournament across the region, including citizens of blockading countries.
“From day one, our goal and our aim was that this is not a Qatari bid,” he explained. “This was an Arab, Middle Eastern bid – first and foremost. We recently opened up our volunteer programme for people to register. Today, we are at 250,000, and among them are people from the blockading nations.”
“So if you ask me whether there is a desire from the people of the region to celebrate, to participate, to be part of this World Cup? Absolutely. And are we welcoming them? We will welcome them with open arms.”
The Secretary-General also addressed recent speculation surrounding the potential expansion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup from 32 to 48 teams – saying plans remain firmly on course to deliver a tournament format as per the bid promise.
He said: “There is a feasibility study that is currently ongoing. From our side we are continuing with preparations for a 32-team format.
“There are a lot of issues that need to be assessed and addressed. I don’t want to pre-conclude what will be out there, but as of today it’s a 32-team World Cup.”
