no regrets over hosting world cup says qatar 2022 chief
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

No regrets over hosting World Cup, says Qatar 2022 chief

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleNo regrets over hosting World Cup, says Qatar 2022 chief

Hassan Al Thawadi
Doha - Muslimchronicle

Qatar's most senior World Cup official said Monday there were no regrets in bidding for the 2022 tournament, despite the "abuse" he claims the country has received since being chosen as host.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the eve of the five-year anniversary before the tournament starts, Hassan Al Thawadi said Qatar was right to bid for football's premier tournament.

"It will always be worth it, it will always continue being worth it," said Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

"We suffered abuse. Did we ever regret it? No, we will never regret it."

He added: "Anything of value will never come easy."

Since controversially being chosen by FIFA to host the tournament in 2022, Qatar has found itself at the centre of a global storm.

It has been criticised over human rights and labour abuses and blighted by allegations of corruption.

Most recently it has found itself accused of supporting terrorism as part of a bitter dispute involving Doha and its Arabian Gulf neighbours Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain, as well as Egypt.

The crisis, which threatens to destabilise the region, has seen Qatar politically and economically boycotted by those countries over its alleged support for extremist groups and relations with Iran. Qatar denies the charges.

Referring to the Gulf crisis, Thawadi pleaded with those countries currently in dispute with Qatar to allow their fans to travel.

"We hope that the blockading nations see reason in this matter and allow for their people to be able to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said.

Qatar is expecting some 1.5 million fans during the tournament, the majority from the Middle East and especially Saudi Arabia.

Last week it was announced that Saudi, UAE and Kuwait would not take part in this year's Gulf Cup, hosted by Qatar, because of political tensions.

The Qatar World Cup starts on November 21, 2022.

FIFA controversially agreed to play the tournament later in the year over fears of the scorching temperatures in the desert country.

The tournament will be shorter than usual and last 28 days.

Qatar's government said earlier this month that it had completed 65 per cent of projects for 2022.

Qatar -- which is spending $500 million a week preparing for 2022 -- has recently announced a major overhaul of its much-derided labour system, including the introduction of a minimum wage, in order to see off critics.

At a wide-ranging Doha press conference, where he answered questions in Arabic, English, Spanish and Russian, Thawadi also said Qatar would back Morocco's bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

"We support Morocco's bid and will extend any support if needed," he said.

Thawadi also added that he would like to see former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez as Qatar national coach in the future.

“With the qualities that he has, I have no doubts that he should be a coach," he said.

"I would like him to be the national team coach. However ... I do not have the authority to decide that. It’s not in my hands.”

Xavi currently plays for Doha league side Al Sadd and has expressed a desire to coach Qatar.

Source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

no regrets over hosting world cup says qatar 2022 chief no regrets over hosting world cup says qatar 2022 chief

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 04:05 2016 Saturday ,14 May

EU to provide €55mln for Burundi's people

GMT 08:20 2016 Friday ,22 April

Microsoft profit down 25 percent to $3.8bn

GMT 20:34 2017 Monday ,30 October

Ethiopian 'Red Terror' trial opens in Dutch court

GMT 08:01 2017 Monday ,24 July

A look at major issues Duterte is confronting

GMT 19:41 2017 Wednesday ,23 August

Chad to shutter Qatar embassy, expel diplomats

GMT 01:25 2016 Monday ,26 December

PM congratulates Christians on Christmas

GMT 11:45 2017 Thursday ,02 November

Guantanamo judge finds US general in contempt of court

GMT 01:46 2015 Wednesday ,29 April

VCUQatar names dean for school of Arts

GMT 11:26 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Dutch corporate takeover defences tough to breach

GMT 21:03 2017 Friday ,07 April

Landmine Kills 20 Civilians in Somalia

GMT 09:17 2018 Monday ,22 January

Syria army says captured key military airport

GMT 10:23 2018 Thursday ,18 January

65 Israeli laws that discriminate against non-Jews

GMT 13:47 2017 Wednesday ,02 August

Tillerson sends senior envoys to handle Qatar crisis

GMT 07:13 2017 Friday ,21 April

Noha Abdeen in 2 drama shows in Ramadan

GMT 05:02 2017 Wednesday ,25 January

European stocks brush off Brexit court ruling
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle