This is being written by someone who sat in Doha and watched it on TV in 2010 when the then FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, announced the venue for the 2022 World Cup. At that time, in many cities of Qatar, large screens were raised for people to watch the program. Blatter opened the envelope…
This is being written by someone who sat in Doha and watched it on TV in 2010 when the then FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, announced the venue for the 2022 World Cup. At that time, in many cities of Qatar, large screens were raised for people to watch the program. When Blatter opened the envelope and took out the paper, the streets of Qatar erupted in excitement. When Qatar’s name was announced, the Emir of Qatar at the time, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, jumped to his feet and wept, hugging his son Sheikh Mohammed, who had spearheaded the campaign for Qatar’s World Cup berth two rows behind. The people of Qatar shed tears after seeing those pictures. The world watched in disbelief. The people who did not know Qatar had a doubt whether this West Asian country, which the world thought of as a desert, and which had not been placed on the world football map until then, could become a venue for a major sports event on earth. Qatar then replied, ‘Anta la tarif Qatar’. In the words of our chief, you know nothing about Qatar!
Qatar’s face began to change at the end of the last century when natural gas reserves were discovered largely within the country’s borders. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the country began to take steps towards progress. Those were the days when signs of change were beginning to be seen in the country. Even the Malayalis who were at the forefront of going to the Gulf countries to work did not consider Qatar much until then. But all that was seen to change later in that country.
There are only a few days left until the world gets to watch the game. The tiny country has put all the arrangements in place to host one of the most talked about World Cup matches in world football history in Qatar. To the astonishment of those who thought it was impossible, Qatar has started receiving players and spectators for the FIFA World Cup.
The excitement of the FIFA World Cup starting on November 20 has spread all over the world. Nations playing in the World Cup have already made up their minds about their teams, and nations not playing have their preferred teams. They too have no doubt that this is their time. But the truth is that this is Qatar’s time!
Twenty-five years ago, when I went to this small country one evening for work, it was not even a small town. The airport was just a small building and that was all the passengers expected in Doha back then. In that era, there were no skyscrapers, no four-lane highways, and only one or two five-star hotels. There is no public transport other than a few old taxis.
Qatar’s face began to change at the end of the last century when natural gas reserves were discovered largely within the country’s borders. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the country began to take steps towards progress. Those were the days when signs of change were beginning to be seen in the country. Even the Malayalis who were at the forefront of going to the Gulf countries to work did not consider Qatar much until then. But all that was seen to change later in that country.
1400 years of history are beautifully stacked inside that building. Apart from that, two or three other museums brought artists and sculptors from all over the world to Doha. MF Hussain spent his last days in Doha. Doha Film Festival attracts world cinema to Qatar.
The world witnessed the country’s first breakthrough when it hosted the 2006 Asian Games. The country started giving priority to sports and started preparing new stadiums and related facilities. Qatar also emphasized on improving infrastructure. Along with this, realizing that the country lacks higher education facilities to enable its youth to prepare for great things, they have striven to set up world-class university campuses in the country. The number of universities under Qatar Foundation is increasing day by day. Qatar insisted that these universities should bring the same teachers from their actual campus here, which was a big relief for the children who had to go abroad for higher education till then. As education came to them, the number of children pursuing higher education also increased.
The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 was an opportunity for Qatar to boost its image. At that time, when the banking companies of Western countries faced collapse, the financial institutions under the government of Qatar stepped into the field and saved them. This handshake was not limited to the banking sector. Automobile firms and real estate companies are among the recipients of this bounty.
Along with this, we have seen Qatar becoming active in world diplomacy. The United States already has its only active military base in West Asia in Qatar. The world peace efforts that were once carried out by the Scandinavian countries, this small country began to do even better. Through its work in Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, Qatar has been able to make a difference to people’s lives. The position of the Emir of Qatar among world leaders is beyond what many other countries can imagine.
During the same period, Doha had become the natural gas capital of the world. Countries including India have entered into long-term agreements with Qatar. Qatar has sold so much gas that there is no more to give to those who ask. The country was growing rapidly economically. Before the blink of an eye, Qatar became the richest country in the world.
Culturally, the country made great strides during this time. The Museum of Islamic Arts, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Pai, quickly gained world attention. 1400 years of history are beautifully stacked inside that building. Apart from that, two or three other museums brought artists and sculptors from all over the world to Doha. MF Hussain spent his last days in Doha. Doha Film Festival attracts world cinema to Qatar. With the selection of Qatar as the venue for the World Cup, the face of its cities began to change. Eight world-class stadiums, new cities, highways, hotels, shopping malls and accommodation facilities have been in the works for the past decade to become a full-fledged country.
As we walk the streets of Doha today, alongside those playgrounds, we can see Qatar’s preparations in full swing. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is going to be held in such a way that people doubt whether they will see a match like this before and after this. On November 20, the people of Qatar will once again be in tears when they play at Albeit Stadium, which is modeled after an Arab tent in the city of Alkhor. Chests will swell with pride. Tambourines will sound with rejoicings. Then the world will shout loudly and say Shukran Ya Qatar!
