Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
South Africa’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Ghulam Hoosein Asmal has stressed that his country remains determined to provide all support to make FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 a grand success.
The South African ambassador said the Qatari-South African relations are firmly established and focused on the future.
In exclusive statements to Qatar Tribune, the South African envoy said, “Like South Africa, Qatar has been subjected to a fierce attack, which is usual from some media, and this has not and will not discourage it from continuing the work and achievement that it started as it prepared impressively for the big event and made substantial adjustments commensurate with the size of Qatar in all circles.”
The ambassador said that South Africa remains determined to stand by Qatar with all the possibilities to organise this global event and contribute to its success.
“In this context, I never lose sight of my congratulations to the Qatari authorities on the huge preparations that will make this World Cup, which is being held for the first time in its history in an Arab country, an absolute success,” he said.
The envoy said South Africa was subjected to smear campaigns when it hosted the World Cup in 2010, but it does not stop the process of work and achievement. Like South Africa, Qatar is being subjected to smear campaigns and Qatar is doing with all seriousness to make the event a huge success, he added. “The campaign targeting Qatar for the honour of organizing the first World Cup on Arab soil is nothing new,” he said.
The envoy noted the legislation adopted by Qatar in the field of labour rights, its attention to some observations early and addressing them with several measures.
“Qatar has begun a process of radical changes and has had a clear imprint in the fields of human rights,” he added.
The envoy highlighted that targeting Qatar by some parties is something the world is used to, especially since these skeptics have not seen or visited these countries that they doubt.
“But these accusations did not distract the Qatari desire to move forward with the implementation of its plans, and make this tournament one of the most successful tournaments in the history,” the ambassador said.
“Qatar, in a few days, will welcome the world to the biggest sporting event ever in the Arab region, which comes with a lot of praise, but also a lot of intrigue,” he said.
The envoy stressed that Qatar, through the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, seeks to present its culture, history and identity to its visitors at the World Cup. The South African ambassador praised Qatar’s development at political, economic, sports and educational levels. “Qatar has great ambitions with a weighty influence at the political level. It has the means to influence the world,” he added.
The ambassador pointed out that South Africa is constantly seeking to strengthen its relations with Qatar in all fields, including sports, and to strengthen joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of football after the championship, which he said provides many opportunities in this field.
“Our customs in South Africa require that every South African visitor, as well as all visitors, behave in accordance with the laws, traditions and culture of the country in which they may find themselves,” he said.
The ambassador called on all South African residents to participate in the World Cup as fans who are committed to the laws and culture of Qatar and to show the South African identity in its most beautiful form.
