Qatar’s 2022 Success already Bringing People Closer

05 Dec Qatar’s 2022 Success already Bringing People Closer

Qatar’s stated intent to use football as a tool to bring people closer has already started working wonders, judging by the positive reactions the country has received in the neighborhood following its stunning victory in the race to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Putting aside regional political and sporting rivalries, Gulf and Arab nations had wholeheartedly rallied behind Qatar throughout the entire bidding process, culminating in pride and joy on Thursday after the FIFA executive committee voted to take the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time in history.
As cables of congratulations poured in from Arab leaders, there was no mistaking the tremendous groundswell of support Qatar enjoyed, at once dismissing the mistaken notion, especially in the West, that the peace and tranquility which the Gulf region enjoys is somewhat artificial.
Qatar, which upset mighty sporting nations such as the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea at the vote in Zurich, had based its bid on its Middle Eastern identity, thus endearing itself to Arab consciousness in a way few had managed to do before.
Commenting on the FIFA vote HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani had said that Qatar will host a tournament that will be “honourable to all Arabs”.
The theme resonated well even with the Gulf media which praised the FIFA decision, saying it would bring about positive change to the Middle East.
“Doha showed what it was capable of in successfully hosting the Asian Games in 2006 despite a few teething problems and unseasonable rains. FIFA also had a taste of what the Gulf had to offer when the UAE hosted the 2003 World Youth Championship, a tournament that starred local hero Ismail Matar and a future World Cup winner, the Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta,” said the UAE’s The National daily in an editorial.
“The World Cup is on another level to those events, but they did prove that in terms of organisation, Gulf nations can deliver. There are always logistical concerns to be allayed, but Qatar, like other countries in the GCC, is increasing its push to attract tourists; in the next 12 years it will ensure that the thousands of visiting fans will experience facilities and services of the highest calibre.”
The National added that the heat would be a concern “but it is heartening that it was not used to deny Qatar its day in the sun.”
“Qatar’s stunning triumph will not only raise its prestige but will also provide a boost to its economy and tourism throughout the region. It will hopefully open the door for similar events to be held elsewhere in the Gulf. But then again, there is no event quite like the World Cup,” it said.
Sport 360, the world’s only English language sports daily, also backed Qatar.

“The whole of the Gulf will undoubtedly benefit in terms of the spin-offs that come from a World Cup and particularly in a country the size of Qatar.
Tourism, cultural and sporting development will provide hope rather than hostility for its neighbours,” it said
“A region riddled with a troubled past will now have the chance to unite, showcase and savour football’s greatest tournament. It will be enlightening and no doubt emotional.”
There were also saner voices among the media in countries which Qatar defeated in the World Cup vote.
Writing in The Australian, Patrick Barclay said Qatar deserves a chance
“Whatever you might think of Australia losing out in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup, please give Qatar a fair chance,” Barclay wrote.
“If the little emirate with the big ideas helps over the next 12 years or so to foster a greater understanding of the Muslim world among the rest of us – and vice versa – soccer will have done the world a great favour.”