Doha: The Indian community forms an integral part of Qatar’s plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, an official of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) said.
“The Indian community has been here in Qatar since before I was born,” said Nasser Al Khater, SC Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs.
Speaking during the celebrations of the 69th Independence Day of India this weekend at the Diplomatic Club in Doha, there was a special cheer from a packed audience when the SC addressed the gathering to outline how the Indian community forms an integral part of Qatar’s plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“You form an integral part of our society and our progress. So I want to say: Thank you. I want to make sure this World Cup belongs not only to Qatar, it belongs to you. We look forward to working hand-in-hand for the next seven years.”
It was an Independence Day greeting in Hindi which drew the response, as well as the words in English which followed.
Al Khater also outlined specifically how the Indian community could get involved in the tournament for the next seven years through the SC’s numerous Community Engagement programmes and initiatives.
Speaking afterwards and starting with an introductory line in Arabic, Sanjiv Arora, Ambassador of India to Qatar, said: “Our community is the largest in Qatar, and I would like to thank all Indians who have provided a tremendous contribution to the progress of Qatar. Specifically in the sports sector there are very close links through working together with organisations like the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and the Ministry of Sport.”
The Peninsula
