Global Arab Network | 2022 World Cup - Qatar is the right choice

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2022 World Cup - Qatar is the right choice

Friday, 03 December 2010 21:13

FIFA_Qatar_Sheikh_Mohammed_bin_Hamad_Al-Thani

Zurich - After Qatar were announced as FIFA World Cup host for 2022, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani spoke exclusively to FIFA News Portal. Weeping on the stage after his country became the first Middle Eastern side to receive the honour of hosting the world’s biggest sporting event, his ecstasy was infectious.

FIFA: Your Highness, can you tell us how you’re feeling right now?
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani: I’m speechless, but very proud and happy. I’m so proud that the Middle East was recognised by FIFA. We are so privileged to have a tournament like this coming to our region for the first time. It shows the value of FIFA and what it stands for as an organisation. As I promised, we will not let FIFA down. Everything we have promised until now will become a reality.

FIFA: How important is this decision for your region?
Everyone is celebrating in the Middle East; everyone was behind us since the very beginning. They believed in us the whole way. And I’m so glad FIFA believed in us as well.

FIFA: In your opinion, what made the difference, what made you win that bid?
What made us different is that we pushed the boundaries; we created new concepts, things which were not conventional but still very possible, very realistic for a country like ours. Therefore we are very proud to represent a new era, a new age for FIFA to look towards the future - the World Cup is for everyone.

FIFA: What are your expectations for this World Cup, which is still a long way off?
Well… It’s going to be best World Cup ever, 100 per cent guaranteed!

Do you believe this World Cup will have a social impact in the Middle East?
Yes I do. FIFA made the right decision in awarding the World Cup to our country, where it can inspire positive change. Rather than being a World Cup that comes and goes, it will leave a huge legacy for our region. We are very happy that we could convince FIFA that commercially, Qatar is the right choice; that technically Qatar is the right choice; and finally that socially, Qatar is the right choice.

HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned witnessed the ceremony that was held by the FIFA to announce the winners of World Cups in 2018 and 2002.

The ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, and a number of their excellencies Sheikhs, and HE Chairman of the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, and members of the committee.

Global Arab Network

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