Here’s a summary of the World Men’s Handball Championship that started a few days ago at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall, with the participation of 24 countries.
It is one of the most important sport championships worldwide after the Football World Cup.
More than 1,000 media personnel are in Qatar covering the event in addition to tens of TV channels across five continents airing the games. This shows how important the championship is.
Again, Qatar has proved that it is the sports capital of the Middle East as it leaves no stone unturned to be more creative.
On every occasion Qatar has demonstrated that it does not host championships for the sake of hosting. It has always added something new to tournaments. Past years’ events stand as the best proof.
Perhaps the 2006 Asian Games represent an exemplary model that conveyed to the whole world how innovative technically, organisationally and administratively Qatar was.
We are not only talking about hosting a handball tournament which goes beyond its frame as being an occasion that attracts the whole world’s attention. It is an event the world is looking at as an experiment for hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Observers will evaluate this experience for what Qatar will bring into this championship on the administrative, technical and technological levels.
Today, all three stadiums hosting the games are considered the most modern worldwide. I am not speaking about the buildings but mechanics in use, facilities, and latest technology used for the first time in handball championships.
We are certain that Qatar will amaze the world again by hosting the event either through its incredible stadiums and media centres ready for easy coverage, or through modern technology. Before anything else, the real success factor is excellent administration and organisation.
However, I must say that the overall success of this tournament or any of the upcoming ones is not the responsibility of the organising committee only, but a mutual effort by all parties involved.
Everybody has a share of this responsibility, starting with the cheering audience to positively interact with the games to show to the world how enthusiastic Qataris are.
Success is like a chain. Therefore, we trust all parties working under the organising committee, led by H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani who has followed up on preparations over the past months to achieve the highest level of success.
He has ensured that hosting this tournament will introduce a new trend to world handball games.
Our leadership is always ready to face challenges in various fields such as sports, politics, or economics and each time has achieved success, all thanks to God. This is owed to Qatar’s sincerity and conviction about its role. Today, Qatar continues what it began with the same spirit and vision that light up its way to triumph.
