Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
With just a little over three weeks left for the Arab world’s first FIFA World Cup, football frenzy has gripped Qatar.
Just drive through Al Khor Street, you will be amazed to see giant digital images of football players on high-rise buildings, World Cup-themed flags and banners being installed at every nook and corner to welcome fans and visitors.
Al Khor Corniche appears to be the most magnificent with flags and banners carrying the World Cup welcome slogans being installed along the road.
Qatar Tribune made a trip to Al Khor and spoke to people to get a measure of the preparations.
Ibrahim Awadh, a resident of the country, said he visits different places in the country and he is amazed by the beauty of Al Khor public street, which has been decorated with colorful banners, drawings and flags for the World Cup.
Awadh said Al Khor area in general is a wonderful place for camping and tourism, especially with the presence of Al Bayt Stadium, which has no equal in the whole world.
"I will not miss the opportunity to be among the fans of the Qatari national team wherever they play at the World Cup,”Awadh stressed.
Fatima Senussi, a resident doctor, stressed that Qatar has devoted all its energy to the success of this championship and "we hope from God that it will be a unique edition with a global reputation”.
Senussi expressed her admiration for the city of Al Khor, its markets and streets, which were decorated with flags and drawings of the World Cup players, national teams and coaches, welcoming everyone to the "land of love, Qatar”.
Ahmed Azzam, who is visiting the city of Al Khor for the first time, said that he did not expect Al Khor to be so beautiful, especially since he had never visited Al Bayt Stadium and Al Khor Corniche, describing it as "pearl of the cities of Qatar”.
He said, "Al Bayt stadium is a piece of art that I have cherished, and I hope that it will remain a model for all countries of the world and not be dismantled and that it will be dedicated to all international matches and finals in all local and international competitions.”
He added, "Qatar has spared no effort to make this tournament, which is dear to our hearts, a success, and I think it will be only the most beautiful, pompous and best of all its competitions in the past.”
As for the fans’ village in Al Khor, it is a special destination to stay during the World Cup period because of its luxurious aspects. The village has rooms for fans with a private bathroom, TV, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facilities and free bottled water.
In the centre of the area there is a large space for fun and enjoying camping fires with large screens and several restaurants that meet all the tastes of the masses, this area also provides tennis, basketball and padel courts, in addition to a gym and a swimming pool., in addition to its distinctive location near the beach of Farkiyah.
A feature of this area is the presence of a reception, security protection, a children’s play area, a grocery store, parking for cars, a first aid box, a laundry room, a swimming pool, a health club, and a private gym.
When you visit Al Khor, you can’t miss a visit to Al Thakira mangroves, located north of Al Khor seaside, with a large expanse of natural greenery.
As one of the oldest and largest forests, Al Thakira has a unique ecosystem above and below the waters, best explored by kayak.
Peter Andrews, a Canadian who has recently arrived in the country with his wife Amanda, told Qatar Tribune: "I have never seen this amazing view before, when a forest, sea, and desert meet together to express the beauty of the State of Qatar in one place”.
Andrews came to Qatar for tourism, and he is taking a journey to the Middle East with his family to know more about the traditions, habits, and history of the Arab states in a closer look, as he told.
Amanda also expressed her admiration for all the beautiful places they visited, commenting:
"We were lucky when we decided to visit Qatar in this period of the year, with the World Cup approaching.”