Tribune News Network
Doha
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Committee chairman Andrey Kryukov said on Friday he was “confident” that Doha can stage a “successful” 2030 Asian Games given the city’s existing sporting infrastructure, vast experience in hosting major international events, aim, vision and passion.
Kryukov spoke to the media at Hotel Sheraton in Doha following the three-member Evaluation Committee’s week-long visits to the capital of Qatar and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, which is also bidding to host the 2030 Asian Games.
Kryukov, addressed the media, along with his committee member Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, the Chief Executive of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, and Sheikha Asmaa Al Thani, Director, Marketing and Communication, Doha 2030 Bid Committee.
Kryukov said the Doha 2030 Bid Committee had done a "massive job" in presenting a "comprehensive" plan for the 21st edition of the Asian Games.
"Based on the legacy of the 2006 Asian Games (the 15th Asian Games hosted by Doha) and your existing sporting infrastructure and other infrastructures like transport and medical, what we saw provides you with the possibility of hosting a successful Games," said Kryukov.
“There is accumulated knowledge that can be transferred to other organisers.
"That’s why we are confident that you can host it."
Elaborating on his team’s visit and the great reception they got, Kryukov, a former figure skating athlete himself, said, “The OCA Evaluation committee is extremely pleased to be in Doha, the candidate city of the 21st Asian Games to be held in the year 2030. The committee mandate is to assess and analyse the capability and readiness of the city to host the 21st Asian Games in 2030.
“As all of you know very well, the Asian Games is the largest gathering of youth and culture in Asia. It is the biggest multisport anywhere else in the world. The committee listened to the presentations planned and analysed preparations made by the committee to hold the 2030 Asian Games.
“The committee visited the various existing venues, Games infrastructure facilities and headquarters of the Organizing Committee of FIFA 2022 World Cup from November 11 to 13. The committee is blessed to see the enthusiasm of youth and general population of Doha, and also the involvement of various levels of government, sports federation leaderships, athletic and private sector in the bid, as well as the personal involvement and support from national leaders and the government of Qatar.
“And thanks to the ministers, who did presentations to us and showed how important the bid for the country. The committee would like to thank the Amir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the support of the development of sport and the Olympic movement in Qatar.
“The committee was pleased to see that sport is a national priority in Qatar. We highly appreciate Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, who is deeply involved in the Doha 2030 bid and who was present personally at the Qatar Foundation venue.
“The evaluation committee knows with great satisfaction that the Asian Games Doha 2030 project is built on the legacy of 2006 Asian Games and fully integrated as a part of the National Plan for Sustainable Development Qatar National Vision 2030, which raises the importance of the Games to a new level.
“The LOC and the bid committee did a massive job and presented a comprehensive plan for preparation and operation of Asian Games. The committee is satisfied with what we saw and believes that Doha’s existing infrastructure and sustainable concept will foster a successful Games in 2030. We wish the bidding committee all the best.”
Kryukov also appreciated Qatar’s culture and passion for sports and the role the country has played in organising continental and international sports events despite the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We know in Qatar sport is one of the top priority. During this time of COVID-19, sport is mainly a booster for civilization, for all countries and to reinstall the economy. It is an important mode of communication for relationships between countries,” he said. What I would like to emphasise is that the passion of the nation and its people is important for every bid. And we believe any nation, whenever they are bidding for any event they have the support and passion of their people.”
Whether post-pandemic there would be any change in organising costs, Kryukov said, “Doha’s 2030 budget is mostly based on the operational cost because there is an existing infrastructure. We don’t expect Covid will seriously affect Doha’s bid.”
Kryukov also said that Qatar was future ready in technology too. “We had a good discussion with the Ooredoo company CEO. We listened to some statistics and the development plan, which was very interesting. The next 10 year period is very long. During that time, even technologies which are new now, let's say like 5G in 10 years it will already be 6G.
“It's important for any country to move with the same speed with technology, not to be behind the curve of progress. Qatar has always demonstrated good will and confidence in embracing new technology.”
Earlier, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, the Chief Executive of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, said he believed Doha’s "know-how" in hosting major events will give them the edge in the bidding race and will allow them to focus on building a legacy.
"The Doha 2030 bid is a gateway to certainty of excellence. We have the people, the expertise, the experiences and most importantly we have the passion.
"When it comes to the venues they are already there and have been tried and tested by the Asian and International federations. Athletes can be assured of the very best conditions to train and compete.
"Doha 2030 is also a gateway to a legacy now, not in 10 years which means that if we are awarded the honour of hosting, a legacy programme will start in 2021.
"All together, Doha 2030 is a gateway to a bright future for the sport in Asia," Al Buenain said.
“On behalf of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, I would like to thank the OCA Evaluation Committee for their time, effort and invaluable feedback they have provided. Obviously we have enjoyed very productive and collaborative three days.
“I am sure they have been able to see how the bid means to our people to our city and to our country. It is a national priority and has the full support of His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It is about Qatar National Vision 2030.
“Our bid is more than just a Qatari priority. It is to show how the Doha 2030 could shape the immediate and long term priorities for Qatar and Asian NOCs. Actually, the 2030 bid is a gateway to certainty of excellence.”
Asmaa Al Thani, Director, Marketing and Communication, Doha 2030 Bid Committee, said Doha’s focus is on delivering an amazing Games. “Doha has a very strong bid for delivery of the games. We have focus on a Gateway to Amazing Games an amazing experience for all. We will offer all our expertise to make sure to give very good hospitality. We hope that we can win the bid and host the Asian Games again,” she said.
The Olympic Council of Asia will be choosing the host for 2030 Asian Games at its General Assembly to be held in Muscat in Oman on December 16.
Doha
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Committee chairman Andrey Kryukov said on Friday he was “confident” that Doha can stage a “successful” 2030 Asian Games given the city’s existing sporting infrastructure, vast experience in hosting major international events, aim, vision and passion.
Kryukov spoke to the media at Hotel Sheraton in Doha following the three-member Evaluation Committee’s week-long visits to the capital of Qatar and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, which is also bidding to host the 2030 Asian Games.
Kryukov, addressed the media, along with his committee member Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, the Chief Executive of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, and Sheikha Asmaa Al Thani, Director, Marketing and Communication, Doha 2030 Bid Committee.
Kryukov said the Doha 2030 Bid Committee had done a "massive job" in presenting a "comprehensive" plan for the 21st edition of the Asian Games.
"Based on the legacy of the 2006 Asian Games (the 15th Asian Games hosted by Doha) and your existing sporting infrastructure and other infrastructures like transport and medical, what we saw provides you with the possibility of hosting a successful Games," said Kryukov.
“There is accumulated knowledge that can be transferred to other organisers.
"That’s why we are confident that you can host it."
Elaborating on his team’s visit and the great reception they got, Kryukov, a former figure skating athlete himself, said, “The OCA Evaluation committee is extremely pleased to be in Doha, the candidate city of the 21st Asian Games to be held in the year 2030. The committee mandate is to assess and analyse the capability and readiness of the city to host the 21st Asian Games in 2030.
“As all of you know very well, the Asian Games is the largest gathering of youth and culture in Asia. It is the biggest multisport anywhere else in the world. The committee listened to the presentations planned and analysed preparations made by the committee to hold the 2030 Asian Games.
“The committee visited the various existing venues, Games infrastructure facilities and headquarters of the Organizing Committee of FIFA 2022 World Cup from November 11 to 13. The committee is blessed to see the enthusiasm of youth and general population of Doha, and also the involvement of various levels of government, sports federation leaderships, athletic and private sector in the bid, as well as the personal involvement and support from national leaders and the government of Qatar.
“And thanks to the ministers, who did presentations to us and showed how important the bid for the country. The committee would like to thank the Amir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the support of the development of sport and the Olympic movement in Qatar.
“The committee was pleased to see that sport is a national priority in Qatar. We highly appreciate Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, who is deeply involved in the Doha 2030 bid and who was present personally at the Qatar Foundation venue.
“The evaluation committee knows with great satisfaction that the Asian Games Doha 2030 project is built on the legacy of 2006 Asian Games and fully integrated as a part of the National Plan for Sustainable Development Qatar National Vision 2030, which raises the importance of the Games to a new level.
“The LOC and the bid committee did a massive job and presented a comprehensive plan for preparation and operation of Asian Games. The committee is satisfied with what we saw and believes that Doha’s existing infrastructure and sustainable concept will foster a successful Games in 2030. We wish the bidding committee all the best.”
Kryukov also appreciated Qatar’s culture and passion for sports and the role the country has played in organising continental and international sports events despite the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We know in Qatar sport is one of the top priority. During this time of COVID-19, sport is mainly a booster for civilization, for all countries and to reinstall the economy. It is an important mode of communication for relationships between countries,” he said. What I would like to emphasise is that the passion of the nation and its people is important for every bid. And we believe any nation, whenever they are bidding for any event they have the support and passion of their people.”
Whether post-pandemic there would be any change in organising costs, Kryukov said, “Doha’s 2030 budget is mostly based on the operational cost because there is an existing infrastructure. We don’t expect Covid will seriously affect Doha’s bid.”
Kryukov also said that Qatar was future ready in technology too. “We had a good discussion with the Ooredoo company CEO. We listened to some statistics and the development plan, which was very interesting. The next 10 year period is very long. During that time, even technologies which are new now, let's say like 5G in 10 years it will already be 6G.
“It's important for any country to move with the same speed with technology, not to be behind the curve of progress. Qatar has always demonstrated good will and confidence in embracing new technology.”
Earlier, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, the Chief Executive of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, said he believed Doha’s "know-how" in hosting major events will give them the edge in the bidding race and will allow them to focus on building a legacy.
"The Doha 2030 bid is a gateway to certainty of excellence. We have the people, the expertise, the experiences and most importantly we have the passion.
"When it comes to the venues they are already there and have been tried and tested by the Asian and International federations. Athletes can be assured of the very best conditions to train and compete.
"Doha 2030 is also a gateway to a legacy now, not in 10 years which means that if we are awarded the honour of hosting, a legacy programme will start in 2021.
"All together, Doha 2030 is a gateway to a bright future for the sport in Asia," Al Buenain said.
“On behalf of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee, I would like to thank the OCA Evaluation Committee for their time, effort and invaluable feedback they have provided. Obviously we have enjoyed very productive and collaborative three days.
“I am sure they have been able to see how the bid means to our people to our city and to our country. It is a national priority and has the full support of His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It is about Qatar National Vision 2030.
“Our bid is more than just a Qatari priority. It is to show how the Doha 2030 could shape the immediate and long term priorities for Qatar and Asian NOCs. Actually, the 2030 bid is a gateway to certainty of excellence.”
Asmaa Al Thani, Director, Marketing and Communication, Doha 2030 Bid Committee, said Doha’s focus is on delivering an amazing Games. “Doha has a very strong bid for delivery of the games. We have focus on a Gateway to Amazing Games an amazing experience for all. We will offer all our expertise to make sure to give very good hospitality. We hope that we can win the bid and host the Asian Games again,” she said.
The Olympic Council of Asia will be choosing the host for 2030 Asian Games at its General Assembly to be held in Muscat in Oman on December 16.