Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi
Six years after Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi is dynamically leading preparations for a country in full swing towards hosting the greatest football event in the world.
After reaching the halfway point in Qatar’s preparations for 2022 World Cup, the SC Secretary General believes that this is a very important time after challenging six years.
"This mark is a very important time. It is six years since we won the rights to host the World Cup, and six years to go. We’ve reached the midway point. The first six years were challenging; whenever you’re trying to launch something off the ground you’re always going to find growing pains, getting things up and running, assigning main contractors for stadiums, as well as some of the other challenges," Al Thawadi said.
"That was a chapter, now we can say we’re looking at the second half of the game. The first half is over, we’re looking at the coming six years."
"The preparations are in full swing, momentum has picked up and we’re moving at a very good pace in terms of delivery of projects, stadiums, infrastructure and initiatives surrounding the World Cup. For me it is a moment of reflection, significant lessons learnt, and a very slight pat on the back because everyone in the Supreme Committee deserves a pat on the back. And then its heads down, eyes forward, six years to go, the SC Secretary General said.
Al Thawadi also said that there were many exciting moments over the past years, such as the cooled fan zones during the 2014 FIFA World Cup which were held in Katara and at Aspire, the Workers Cup, especially the last final where we had over 11,000 people in attendance.
"I can talk about the Accessibility Forum that we just had, which was also a very exciting but emotional moment, because it showed how important it is to touch base with everyone within the community. Not only to fulfil their needs as fans, but also to ensure we bring them on board as organisers and participants in delivering the World Cup. The graduating first cohort in Josoor, Challenge 22 and the first edition, going to Generation Amazing in Jordan with Xavi."
"I can go on and on, but honestly every moment has a special place in my heart because it is the result of a lot of effort, from a lot of good people to fulfil an initiative that touches people’s hearts. A goal that a lot of people think is a dream is being achieved by initiatives such as these."
With eight stadiums now under construction, and the Main Contractor for Lusail Stadium coming on board this week Qatar is ready to see a new dimension in construction progress in 2017
Al Thawadi said, the Momentum has picked up with the Main Contractor of Lusail coming on board.
"We’re aiming for the main contractor of Ras Abu Aboud to start main construction work during 2017, and for Al Thumama Stadium, we’re aiming for the initial construction to start as well. The eight stadiums will be in different stages of construction, and we’re also aiming for the first stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, to be delivered within 2017 to host the Emir Cup final. So you’ll find significant construction going on next year," Al Thawadi said.
Commenting on the tangible benefits, which the 2022 FIFA World Cup is expected to bring to the region, Al Thawadi said: " we’ve always aimed for the Middle East and the local and regional population to benefit out of this World Cup. Through initiatives like Challenge 22, which looks to invest in the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of the Middle East and the Arab world, there will be a long term benefit from that. As every edition of Challenge 22 comes out until 2022, you will find more and more people showcasing their entrepreneurial skills, and that will open the door to more investment to come in."
Al Thawadi also said that China and India are very important on the way to a successful 2022 World Cup.
"It goes without saying that China is the next big market, whether it relates to club football or international football. Significant sponsors are coming from China, broadcasting rights are owned by Chinese companies, so China is definitely making a significant foray into the world of football."
"They are the next destination. India is the same, there is significant investment in the Indian league, there is huge interest and following from the Indian fans in relation to football. It is also the next big market. In 2002 Eastern Asia hosted the first Asian World Cup. The resounding success on the pitch and off the pitch is an example of the resounding success 2022 can and will be, not only in the Middle East and Arab world, but also for Western Asia and Asia as a whole. There is a story for Asia to be told in relation to the second Asian World Cup.
Commenting on the critics and compliments, Al Thawadi said it is natural for a mega event to have a lot of critics and a lot of supporters.
"Maybe we have some fiercer critics out there over a prolonged period of time, that may be the case. But in the end the way we look at it is we have a self-belief, a belief in what this World Cup stands for, and in our capabilities, in our ability, in the team that we have."
"There is no doubt in my mind that everybody is working day in and day out to ensure this will be a World Cup, a major sporting event, that will go down in history as a benchmark and one to behold. We will continue to work towards that," Al Thawadi said.
