Tazeen Akhtar/ Islamabad/Pakistan
All eyes are set on Doha the beautiful, smart and “hot”capital of State of Qatar where The FIFA World Cup 2022, football’s biggest spectacle, is going to attract more than 1 Million international sports lovers to experience the thrilling game first time in new arrangements and latest developed infrastructures of stadiums, boarding lodging, transport and communication that have been certified as state of the art and world class by internationally recognized sports and other organizations.
“HOT” is not in a sense of temperature. Yes temperature is high in Qatar but in Summer. Now it is Nov. Earlier it was for summer but the schedule was shifted to Nov to facilitate the teams and the fans who do not feel fine in summer. “HOT” is in a sense that all those who were criticizing Qatar, using the weather, but actually for other reasons, will find them in a more pleasant and well managed place than they have been to any other so far during the FIFA World Cup.
Aljazeera reports in a recent article, “World Cup branding has engulfed everything from office buildings to lamp posts and walls. At the newly opened Lusail Boulevard, children in football jerseys run around while football enthusiasts strolled under a giant canopy of flags of competing nations, making it a field day for Instagram influencers and photographers alike.”
(His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar & His Highness, The Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani)
Inaugural ceremony will be held on Saturday, 19 Nov while first match will be between the host Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday, 20 Nov, 2022. Final will be played on the historic day of State of Qatar, 18 Dec 2022, again a Sunday. It is National Day of State of Qatar. National Day is a national commemoration of Qatar’s unification in 1878.
Here is the complete schedule of the matches :
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=fifa+world+cup+2022+schedule#sie=lg;/m/0fp_8fm;2;/m/030q7;mt;fp;1;;;
Here is the Story of FIFA 2022 in State of Qatar : Courtesy ALJAZEERA
https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/2022/10/24/qatars-world-cup-from-the-inside-out
This scribe, has been reading many articles through out last year, most of them were mainly about ” Qatar? How? Yes? Not Possible?” type in general perspective without any solid reasoning. When State of Qatar satisfied all such objection, another series started about the violations of human and labor rights during the construction of infrastructures for world cup. But here too, State of Qatar responded with facts and figures amicably.The officials related to the event took all negative propaganda,patiently, that was mostly from one sided critics, without any ground and base. Qatar survived all such obstacles and now the State is entering to a new phase of international exposure, capability, expertise, fame and repute. A gigantic challenge is about to be huge opportunity now on.
It is sport, not politics, so everyone is supposed to support State of Qatar rather create hurdles. That is why , this scribe asked for a meeting with H.E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan, only to express the best wishes and solidarity from our press and media group. Certainly , details of the magnificent event also came under discussion.
Here are some points for our readers for their information:
Qatar has established a full fledged office of United Nations to observed the the event. It is self explanatory that when UN representatives are there , they can better see how the event has been hosted and how is the situation of labor rights there. FIFA itself is not easy to satisfy, everyone knows.
As described above , Ambassador H.E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani shared, ” We have unique system and the best labor laws in our State. Laborers are not sent to work in the most hot hours of day time from 11 to 3 PM. They can report to concerned authorities if not paid their salaries. Qatar has introduced labor reforms in the country and the laborers were enjoying all benefits such as wages as per international standards, job security, social cover, etc.“
It is matter of fact that State of Qatar is the first in the region to recognize the laborers’ rights, a worker who feels exploited can sue his/her employer and get justice from the court.
Ambassador presented a guide booklet explaining all labor rights laws the state has imposed so far. The guide book clears all misconceptions about the reports of exploitation of laborers in Qatar.
” Our labour laws are internationally recognized and have no room for any exploitation.”H.E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani elaborated in the light of the laws implemented so far.
State of Qatar has hired the services of 42 International agencies for foolproof security, safety and facilitation of the teams and the football lovers pouring in continuously from around the globe. Pakistan as brotherly country of State of Qatar has sent 2500 troops of military to help provide security to the event. Ambassador while sharing the details, spoke highly about Pakistan Government and Military for their cooperation.
(H.E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani calls on COAS Pakistan General Qamar Javed Bajwa: File Photo)
“Pakistan Military (Army, Air-force, Navy) are highly skilled soldiers. Qatar government and people appreciate the support from Pakistan in hosting the mega event of FIFA World Cup.” Ambassador said.
He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his selfless , dedicated efforts for the development of bilateral cooperation. He recalled Shehbaz’ latest visit to Qatar and dwelled on the agreements worth 3 Billion Dollars reached there. The details of this part of discussion will be covered in another article.
Qatar has constructed 7 new spacious football stadiums with capacity of the sitting of more than 80 K fans in one of these highly sophisticated infrastructures. All stadiums are directly connected with both upgraded and newly constructed transport systems to help the guests travel to and from the destinations.
A recent media report, notes that visitors have another option that they can live in the hotels of nearby cities of other neighboring states. Qatar will operate more than 500 flights to facilitate these travelers. To a question in this regard, Ambassador answered, ” Doha will manage upto 70 flights daily for these football fans. For that, will give space to other airlines than our own Qatar Air. For same reason, Qatar Air has reduced 3 flights to 1 flight daily with Pakistan.
As long as, residential places are concerned, Ambassador was sure that the State has complete arrangements to the satisfaction of the visitors. He said, ” More than 180 hotels have been built with vast space for the guests. Large ships in the sea will accommodate thousands of visitors will all required facilities. A latest tent city is also available for those who want to have camping tourism.
( We wish the best to State of Qatar for all success. We assure our all out support from our media group. Not only State of Qatar, but all the countries participating in the event are stake holders as team members. This is engaging the World community without any discrimination of faith, color, politics, etc. Therefore , we all should do our best to speak and write positive, to encourage who have accepted the challenge and proved them equal to the task – Tazeen Akhtar Editor Daily Azkaar, Monthly Pakistan in the World, Member Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors CPNE Islamabad, tazeen303@gmail.com)
