Watanabe expects a 'spectacular show in Doha'

Morinare Watanabe, the newly-elected President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), expects a 'bumper show' when Doha hosts the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in 2018.
The 57-year-old Japanese official said the sport of gymnastics in the Middle East region will benefit from the event to be held in less than two years' time.
Doha will host the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships from October 25 to November 3, 2018, a first for the sport in the Middle East.
Watanabe, who was in Doha to attend the ANOC General Assembly last week, also paid glowing tributes to his predecessor Bruno Grandi, saying 'the sport has soared in popularity the world' under the leadership of the 82-year-old IOC member.
"We (the FIG) organize high quality events. When we organize high quality events, the gymnasts produce world-class performances. Subsequently the FIG makes money at the top level from the performances we get to see," Watanabe said during a press conference at Al Bidda Tower.
"We enjoyed a similar show of success when we staged World Championships in Glasgow in October last year. We hope to continue in this fashion," Watanabe said.
"In 2018, the World Championships will be an event for qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games. And because of that the World Championships in Doha will add value to our sport," the President elect said.
"The Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) has organised several World Cup edition over the last few years. The events in Doha are fairly popular the world over," he said.
"We've seen the events held here with great success. There is no doubt that they are now ready to host the World Championships. It will be one of the best," the Japanese official said during a media briefing also attended by Grandi.
"As the pioneer for several gymnastics disciplines in the Gulf region, we feel the QGF has undertaken serious efforts to promote the sport in the country," Watanabe added.
Watanabe said: "I am happy with the support offered to me by new Executive Committee member Mr Ali Al Hitmi (President of QGF). I have great respect for our long-serving president Mr Bruno Grandi. His philosophy to take gymnastics to new heights is praise-worthy.
"These two gentlemen have done well to promote the sport. They have served so many roles. President Bruno Grandi has laid strong foundations for us to take the sport forward. It is a beautiful game and he has made it so popular.
"Gymnastics has become the number one sport in the Olympics. Globally gymnastics is ranked number 24 with football as the number one sport in the world. Mr Bruno Grandi showcased gymnastics in such a fashion that it is appreciated the world over," Watanabe said.
Grandi said his desire to see gymnastics becoming a popoular sport the world over was 'a rewarding experience'.
"I want this country to give the trust this sport deserves. I am sure they will do that. This sport has become global. Now gymnastics is no longer dominated by Russia and Romania alone," Grandi said.
The Italian added: "At the last World Championships in Glasgow, we had eight different winners from as many countries. That was fantastic for the sport. That showed how diverse our sport has become."
Last month, Watanabe was elected as the new FIG President and he will succeed Grandi on January 1, 2017. Watanabe  beat French rival Georges Guelzec to become the new head of world gymnastics.  
 Watanabe, a former gymnast, and Grandi, President of FIG since 1996, lauded the role played by Al Hitmi 'in promoting gymnastics in the region'.
Watanabe said FIG delegations will visit Doha from 'time to time' to oversee the preparations for the 2018 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships to be held in the Qatari capital.
Al Himti said he presented the details of Doha's elaborate preparations during the governing body’s Congress in Tokyo last month.
"As time goes by, you will see that there will be more co-ordination between QGF and FIG," Al Hitmi said. "Our interactions with the world body will help improve our preparations," he said.