Doha: Qatar’s plans and preparations ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup have made quite an impression on the man in charge of one of the most historic stadiums in world football and the venue of the 2014 World Cup final.
Luis Silva, Chief Operating Officer of Maracanã Stadium, the legendary arena which at one time held up to 200,000 spectators and was renovated for the 2014 World Cup to accommodate 74,698 fans, said there was an impressive focus on legacy and sustainability in Qatar’s plans.
“All the concepts and ideas for the future are amazing. I believe you will deliver an outstanding tournament,” Silva said in Doha after seeing plans for modular stadiums planned by Qatar, the upper stands of which will be removed and sent to countries in need of sporting infrastructure in coordination with Fifa and the continental confederations after the tournament.
Speaking at the Josoor Institute, launched to train industry professionals who will play an integral role in the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar, Silva headlined a course on venue and stadium management that was attended by delegates and representatives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Stars League and Qatar Football Association.
Silva said that based on his experience of visiting Qatar several times since 2011, fans can look forward to a spectacular atmosphere in the first ever football World Cup in the Middle East. “It’s really impressive how you do things and how you do things well. From my perspective as a foreigner who travels to Qatar from time to time, I really enjoy it,” he said.
His advice to Qatar for the next eight years of preparations was to continue to work ahead of schedule and “focus on efficient planning and try to meet all deadlines to reach 2022 in a perfect condition and deliver all the amazing things that are shown in the plans.”
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