Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Since the announcement of winning the bid to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar has been sparing no effort and working with utmost dedication towards the day the tournament kicks off, and now only 50 days separate us from the moment the global football festival begins.
Doha is decked out for this great global event, and we are ready to host all football fans from around the world regardless of race, language, or culture. Everyone is welcome to Doha, home of goodness, peace, and prosperity.
Qatar is organising the first Middle Eastern and Arab version of the World Cup, which in itself is a great honour and will be fascinating for all football lovers and a proud moment for all Arab and Islamic countries.
The successes enjoyed by our country in various international forums are enough to present a World Cup that will be a milestone in the history of this tournament. I think that the future host countries will have to mull a lot about how to maintain the great momentum that the Qatar 2022 tournament has gained. The committees formed to prepare for this event have spared no effort in introducing the best practices and latest technology to bring in development in various fields.
This event will be associated with Qatar and therefore we need this edition to be a model and unique tournament, which will be remembered forever by all fans around the globe.
We have worked and are still working on things that can make the championship emerge as a symbol of harmony and friendship away from the pain we see in some countries and societies.
Sport always unites people, breaks down barriers, and brings a smile to the faces of people regardless of their geographical location or identity.
I will not talk here about the number of visitors to Qatar during the World Cup, the eight venues for the matches, or the infrastructure the country has built to host this mega event, but about the digital smart card, Hayya, which is introduced with a dual mission as a permit for attending matches and also as an entry visa.
Fans with tickets will be able to attend more than one match per day due to the close proximity of the stadiums and the vast public transport facilities Qatar has put in place, which the Hayya card holders can access transportation free of charge during the World Cup for the first time in the history of this event.
The card holders can also invite three guests to the country. These new additions will make this tournament a unique, beautiful, and interesting experience for the fans.
In conclusion, I would like to repeat what H H the Amir said in his speech before the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly ten days ago: “On behalf of my people and myself, I invite you all to come to Qatar and enjoy this unique tournament, everyone is welcome.”
May Allah protect Qatar, its people, and its leadership from all harms, and perpetuate the blessing of security and safety.
