Cover image: Arpal Group
Qatar and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) unveiled Tuesday a new joint venture named "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC" as the body responsible for delivering the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world after the nine - member management board met for the first time in Doha.
The new delivery model will capitalise on the planning expertise the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has built up since winning the right to host the tournament in 2010. Combined with FIFA's extensive tournament expertise, this innovative model of delivering world football's premier event aims to ensure an optimum World Cup experience for fans, players and officials in 2022.
While the joint venture focuses on tournament delivery, the SC will continue to manage the development of event infrastructure, along with the various legacy programmes.
Commenting on the occasion, Hassan Al Thawadi, who will combine his role as SC Secretary-General with Chairman of the joint venture, said: "The formation of this new joint venture comes at a strategically important time in Qatar's World Cup project as we complete our various infrastructure projects, such as stadiums and training sites, and turn our attention to finalising the unique fan and player experience that Qatar 2022 will provide."
Al Thawadi continued: "I am confident that the combination of FIFA's extensive tournament experience, and our own tactical experience and the nine years hard work already invested in the project, will ensure that the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world is one of the best ever."
For his part, Nasser Al Khater, the SC Chief of Tournament Readiness and Experience Group and CEO of the joint venture, said: "Qatar's World Cup project is entering its final phase and were all very pleased to launch this new organisation and collectively develop the best possible operational plans for 2022."
"In less than four years time, we will be welcoming the participating teams and over one million fans to Qatar for the world's biggest single - sport event. It is the work we do now which will ensure the experience we deliver is unlike anything previously witnessed at a tournament. I look forward to leading this innovative joint venture with FIFA and the work it will be undertaking in the years to come," he added.
Creating a joint venture forms part of FIFA's vision to create an organisation that streamlines the operational delivery of the World Cup. The management board of the new entity will be composed of SC Secretary - General Hassan Al Thawadi, FIFA Secretary - General Fatma Samoura, FIFA two Deputy Secretary - Generals, Zvonimir Boban and Alasdair Bell, FIFA Chief Tournaments and Events Officer and Managing - Director of the joint venture "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC" Colin Smith, as well as SC Chief of Tournament Readiness and Experience Group and CEO of the joint venture Nasser Al Khater, SC Chairman of the Operational Office and the Vice Chairman of the Technical Operational Office Engineer Yassir Al Jamal, and FIFA Chief Legal Officer Emilio Garcia Silvero.
FIFA Secretary - General Fatma Samoura said: "Today we take a major step in the organisation of the biggest single-sport event in the world. Created in accordance with the FIFA President's vision and together with our Qatari counterparts,the joint venture aims to reorganise the way we work at the operational front and avoid inefficiencies."
"I am convinced that this new approach to planning, delivery and legacy, always hand-in-hand with our colleagues based in Qatar, will help to ensure that the World Cup continues to be the most eagerly awaited event by billions of fans worldwide." she stressed.
Meanwhile, FIFA Chief Tournaments and Events Officer and Managing-Director of the joint venture Colin Smith said: "The continuous growth and complexities of a FIFA World Cup and the need for integrated involvement of all key areas across a host country has made it clear that a more efficient and optimized operational structure is required this is particularly the case in Qatar, given the unique and compact nature of the tournament, both in terms of the opportunities and challenges that come along with it."
Smith continued: "The Qatar - based joint venture that will plan and deliver the next FIFA World Cup will work together with FIFA in Zurich as one team and combine, at all levels, the event experience we have there with invaluable knowledge from our colleagues in Qatar. It is a very important step, which shows how FIFA and Qatar are working together to deliver a successful and memorable event."
Prior to the first board meeting taking place, the new offices of the joint venture "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC" staff were officially inaugurated at Al Bidda Tower in the presence of HE President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, QFA Secretary - General Mansoor Al Ansari and CEO of Qatar Stars League (QSL) Hani Balan.
His Excellency President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani congratulated the nine-member management board on the formation of the new joint venture and the achievement of yet another Qatar World Cup milestone.
Qatar will host the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world from 21 November to 18 December, 2022.
Source: Qatar News Agency
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
If you have anything you want to share with us, send us an e-mail at [email protected]!
Want to send a tip? Drop us an e-mail at [email protected], anonymity is guaranteed!
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!