Qatar Embassy in Spain Organizes Sports Event to Celebrate Qatar's Hosting of 2022 World Cup

Madrid, July 16 (QNA) - The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kingdom of Spain organized a sports celebration to welcome Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup in conjunction with HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's receiving the mantle of hosting the tournament from HE Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The celebration, which was held at the residence of HE Qatar's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari in Madrid, was attended by more than 500 figures of Spanish MPs and politicians, diplomats, sports stars and celebrities, as well as a large group of journalists from leading Spanish newspapers. In his opening speech, HE the Qatari Ambassador highlighted the special importance of Qatar 2022 World Cup because it is the first of its kind in the Middle East and will serve the interests of all countries in the region for its prominent role as a bridge between Arab and Western civilizations and cultures, as well as its economic, political, cultural and humanitarian dimensions. HE the Qatari Ambassador underlined that sports is an essential part of the policy of the State, which will continue to support young athletes through serious projects such as Aspire Academy and AS Arabia, noting that Qatar will continue to organize important sports events, foremost the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is being prepared in full swing. Meanwhile, He stressed the State's keenness on protecting the rights of workers, which was commended by competent international bodies such as the International Labor Organization, and called on everyone to visit Qatar and discover this open and hospitable country. The celebration included a Spanish-language video produced by the Embassy presented Qatar's most important achievements and projects in the field of sports, such as the Aspire Academy and the World Cup stadiums. In line with Qatar's policy of supporting young people and enhancing the role of sport and culture, HE the Ambassador of Qatar honored two of the most promising Spanish talents. He presented the Estrella del Deporte sports prize to Diego Rodriguez Ferrero, and the Ojal award to Spanish singer Maria Beatriz Veiga Piriz. A Spanish band presented a song about the role of Qatar 2022 World Cup as a bridge between different peoples and cultures. For his part, HE Mayor of Lyon Antonio Silban said that the Qatari model in the management and marketing of football as a key to inter-people relations has the most prominent role in supporting Qatar's bid for the 2022 World Cup. Meanwhile, ex-President of Spanish sports club Real Madrid Ramon Calderon said that due to his frequent visits to Doha, he noticed the great work that has been achieved in Qatar, therefore he bets that Qatar 2022 will be the best in terms of organization and accuracy in the history of the tournament. Director of the Arab House Foundation Pedro Martinez underlined the great role of Qatar through what he described as "sports diplomacy", noting that his institution hosted several meetings and seminars in coordination with the State of Qatar on the importance of sports as a common factor among peoples. He expressed the hope that Qatar would organize a World Cup worthy of the size of the sacrifices made by Qataris in order to host a major event like the 2022 World Cup. The Qatari celebrations of the hosting of the World Cup resonated widely in the Spanish media. Spanish daily "El Mundo" said that HH the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the closing of Moscow 2018 World Cup with a busy international agenda and has devoted a lot of money to marketing Qatar World Cup. The newspaper also noted the emergence of the role of Paris as an intermediary in the current Gulf crisis and the comments of French President Emmanuel Macaron when he said: "Qatar is a key partner to help us achieve peace in the Middle East," as well as his praise for the Qatari efforts in the fight against extremism and terrorism. El Mundo also highlighted HH the Amir's extensive diplomatic tour which included the United States and a number of countries. On the other hand, Qatar's Ambassador's speech on foreign workers during the celebration received a positive echo in the Spanish media. "The Diplomate in Spain" newspaper published an article entitled "Qatar Guarantees Workers' Rights in the 2022 World Cup", in which it referred to international reports that document the responsible measures adopted by the Qatari institutions to improve the conditions of the workers and ensure their rights. The newspaper highlighted the statements of HE Qatar's Ambassador to Spain Mohammed bin Jaham Al Kuwari on Qatar's commitment to continue its efforts in this regard. The paper also referred to Qatar's international standing and its diverse relations, noting that many Ambassadors accepted the Qatari invitation and attended the celebration. Meanwhile, the "AS" newspaper published video and printed reports on the celebration. The newspaper director underlined the "attractiveness" of Qatar World Cup because it will allow visitors to attend several games in the same day as most of the events will be organized in Doha. He stressed that "AS Arabia" is not limited to Qatar but is directed to all Arab countries and aspires to become, through cooperation with Qatar, the first sports media in the region. The newspaper quoted HE the Qatari Ambassador as saying that Qatar seeks to organize a unique and different World Cup to become a global front highlighting the culture and history of the region, and his assertion on the transparency of Qatar and that its doors are open to all visitors. Commenting on the possibility of the participation of 48 teams in the World Cup, HE Ambassador Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari said that this will be a historic event, not only for football but for Qatar and the Arab world, adding that such an event is beneficial to tourism and economic cooperation and other levels, thus the more countries participated, the better. For its part, Spanish daily newspaper "La Vanguardia" said that Qatar's ambition is not limited to the organization of an unprecedented World Cup. It also wants to prove its worth on the ground by training a strong team. It quoted Director-General of Aspire Academy Ivan Bravo as saying that the excellence of Qatar team is not just a coincidence or a good luck, but is the result of hard work and coordination at the highest levels between Aspire and Qatar Football Association and local clubs. (QNA)