Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Volunteers from around the world who served during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were overwhelmed when receiving a surprise ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ signed by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The digital ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ is addressed to 20,000 volunteers of 145 nationalities, including 4,000 from around the world and sent to their emails through the FIFA portal.
Another digital ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ has also been received by the volunteers in their names signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi. Qatar Tribune spoke to some of the volunteers who expressed their excitement for receiving the certificate.
Fahad Ismail from Pakistani community in Qatar said, “Volunteering for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been a very inspiring journey for me. I was still in euphoria of the event when I received a digital copy of the ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ signed by HH the Amir himself. This is literally a dream come true for me.
“It could not get better than this. Thank you Qatar for giving us this amazing once in a life time opportunity. Thank you to HH the Amir for his tremendous leadership and Thank you to the whole team for delivering an amazing tournament with huge success.”
Mohammed Ramzan Ali Miya from Nepali Community said, “I would like to congratulate the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the people of Qatar for hosting the world’s biggest sport event in such an incredible style. I feel so proud to be part of the event as a volunteer. In return, receiving two digital appreciation certificates in my personal name, and one with the signatures of HH the Amir himself is such a priceless gift. Thank you Your Highness.”
Ahmed Khorshed, an international FIFA volunteer from Sudan, said: “It is a great honour to receive recognition from the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani himself. It is a wonderful testimony from a wonderful person and from a wonderful country that hosted the best World Cup ever.”
Haroon Rasheed, a member of Pakistani community, said: “I have received two appreciation certificates and one was signed by HH the Amir. This beautiful gesture shows that HH the Amir cares about others and honours those serving Qatar.
“I am humbled by this gesture and I am grateful to HH the Amir for recognising my role as a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 volunteer.It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to be part of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as a volunteer. These two certificates are my greatest treasure that I have received in my long stay in Qatar.”
Ja’far Abdulhamid from Filipino Community said, “It is undeniable that the recently concluded World Cup was dubbed as the best ever in the history of the tournament that brought the whole country to its highest pinnacle. It brought tears, surprises, excitement, amusement and thousands of honours to every individual all over the world. It created innumerable memories that everyone will surely treasure. It showcased so much joy and amazement not only to the country but to the world as a whole.
“As one of the proud volunteers and one of the Filipino community leaders in Qatar, it is indeed a great pride and privilege for me to serve with utmost dedication and compassion. I feel so elated to convey my immense felicitation to the Qatar government for giving me such one in a million opportunity to extend my invaluable services for the success of this remarkable event. A special word of gratitude to HH the Amir for showcasing an exemplary effort in letting the world see the beauty of Arab culture and the entirety of the Muslim community in holding such a historic and successful event with zero violence where everyone was treated with utmost fairness and justness.”
Mohammed Asim, a member of Pakistani community, said: “It is a great honour to receive recognition from HH the mir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani himself. It is a wonderful testimony from a wonderful person and a wonderful country that presented the best World Cup ever. The tournament came to an end with outstanding, unmatched and unparalleled jubilations, pump and show. This was one of its kind, the world has never witnessed such.
“The small country of Qatar stood out tall and proud and covered the entire globe with its hospitality and undoubtedly the best arrangements for fans, players and every person involved in FIFA World Cup. Well done Qatar’s people, the government and the towering figure of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who led from the front not only for Qatar but for the entire Muslim Ummah. Qatar made history in all fields and we all are proud of it. Long live Qatar, long live HH the Amir.”
Iyke Ironcho, a Nigerian, said: “I have received via email two appreciation certificates on my volunteering services during recently concluded world’s mega amazing soccer tournament hosted by amazing Qatar. It is so amazing and totally unexpected to receive digital appreciation certificate in my name signed by HH the Amir. What a great surprise! What a great memorable appreciation certificate!”
Dr Rajesh Kumar Maheshwari from Pakistani Community said, “I express my deepest gratitude to HH the Amir for his thoughtful appreciation to each and every individual volunteer by sending digital appreciation certificate. My very sincere thanks to the president of FIFA and Secretary-General of Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy for their very kind appreciation letter separately. Qatar and the region have much to be proud of in what has transpired so far - an incident-free event with safety for all.”
Tennison De Silva, president Sri Lankan Coordinating Committee, said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate HH the Amir and FIFA on successfully hosting the World Cup. It was only fitting that Lionel Messi lifted that trophy while donning a traditional Bisht. HH the Amir’s gesture to award signed certificate addressing each and every one of the large volunteer force is one of the noblest and best ways to recognise these selfless, untiring and passionate thousands of volunteers during the tournament.
“Such a life time memorable gift perfectly sums up Qatar. We strongly condemn all the false accusations and display of racism by certain Western quarters against Qatar and appreciate Qatar for its smooth journey onward historical development.”
Dr F. Samadian from Swiss Business Council Qatar said, “The volunteers selected for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were well trained. They understood their responsibilities and performed absolutely their best in playing their part in making the mega soccer event successful. HH the Amir’s recognition is very well deserving to this historically largest ever recruited volunteer force for any sport event in Qatar.
Qaiser Anwar, a member of Pakistani Community, said: “I am immensely humbled to receive this very special ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ from HH the Amir of Qatar. It is a huge admiration, acknowledgement and as such show of HH the Amir’s understanding of the volunteering efforts exerted during last few months from selection, interviews, trainings, logistics, to their respective over 30 various roles in around 45 disciplines during the month-long tournament. I am overjoyed to receive this great honour.”
