Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 03 (QNA) - In their editorials today, Qatari newspapers shed light on the sports role, especially football, in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development in the world, praising Qatar's pioneering international sports initiatives to benefit from sport's impact in bringing about positive change globally due its role in uniting peoples and combating crime, terrorism, and extremism. The newspapers highlighted what the State of Qatar sought to achieve from the beginning in terms of making this World Cup a platform for communicating, spreading peace, and informing the entire world about this region and its authentic culture, and it did so by organizing one of the best World Cup edition, not only at the organization level but also in spreading an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the entire world. Under the title "Anniversary of Qatar's victory in hosting the World Cup," Al Sharq newspaper said that yesterday, December 2, coincides with the 12th anniversary of the announcement of the State of Qatar's victory to host the most important global event in football, and these years witnessed major achievements, whether in the development of infrastructure and the comprehensive renaissance in various fields, thanks to the inspiring vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who strengthened Qatar's position regionally and internationally and made it a center for development, prosperity, mediation, peace, and sports. The paper considered that the success of the State of Qatar in presenting an exceptional and unique World Cup edition, whether on-pitch or off-pitch and the praise it receives from all over the world, is the result of the great efforts and the march full of work and achievement over the past years, which are showcased these days in the festive and carnival atmosphere in Qatar. Al Sharq stressed that Qatar has made huge efforts over the past years and has proven to the world its ability to overcome difficulties and conquer the impossible with the will, determination, and faith in the capabilities of its people, as its most notable success, was not only in organizing an exceptional World Cup edition but also in overcoming all challenges, obstacles, suspicion attempts, and smear campaigns, all the way to the legendary opening ceremony and the amazing organization that made Qatar's success on everyone's lips. It concluded by emphasizing the efforts made by Qatar during the past years, as HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said, "People of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments. How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time," which has already been achieved, as hosting the event contributed to more rapprochement and the spread of a culture of tolerance and peace among all peoples of the world. For its part, Al Watan newspaper indicated that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 coincides with the discussions of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the item "sports and development," which is an important occasion to highlight the impurities of sports due to the outrageous racist tone that has increased recently. Under the title "Mundial of Peace", the paper drew attention to the statement of HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani in which she condemned attempts to politicize and racialize football and sports, stressing that Qatar refuses to engage with malicious campaigns, and will continue to adhere to its national and Arab values and international standards in preventing the politicization and racialization of football in general. "We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments. We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity. Finally, we have reached the opening day, the day that you have been eagerly waiting for," Her Excellency said, quoting the speech of HH the Amir at the opening ceremony. The newspaper referred to what was confirmed by Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN that His Highness's speech was the strongest and most eloquent response to the unfair, selective, and deeply politicized campaigns with hints of racism and arrogance, targeting the State of Qatar's organization of the World Cup. The State of Qatar sought to achieve from the beginning in terms of making this World Cup a platform for communicating, spreading peace, and informing the entire world about this region and its authentic culture, and it did so by organizing one of the best World Cup edition, not only at the organization level but also in spreading an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the entire world, Al Watan concluded. In its editorial titled "Keep politics and racism away from football," Al Raya newspaper said that since the first day of the announcement that the State of Qatar had won the honor of hosting the World Cup, hateful racist attacks were launched against Qatar, which submitted an integrated bid that topped all voting rounds and won the confidence of FIFA. The paper pointed out that Qatar, through the UN platform, sent clear messages to the whole world that it is fulfilling its promises, as it made a commitment to organize an exceptional and unprecedented World Cup edition, in which the human being was the main engine, and Qatar brought joy and pleasure to the Middle East and the whole world with this organization of the World Cup that united everyone throughout the whole world to follow this honorable sports competition on the land of Qatar, the capital of world sports. The newspaper said that Qatar was able to unite the world and attract everyone's attention to the World Cup's modern stadiums and advanced TV broadcasting techniques, as the TV viewership for the World Cup was the highest compared to the previous editions, which refutes the false boycott calls made by those unable to undermine the reputation of Qatar. It added that Qatar responded to these racist calls on the ground, by producing the safest and most professional edition, which is characterized by the authentic Arab character, with its generosity, warmness, and welcome to all. Al Raya stressed that Qatar realized early the role of sport, especially football, in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development in the world, and launched pioneering international sports initiatives to benefit from the impact of sports in bringing about positive change globally, as sport unifies peoples, fights crime, terrorism, and extremism, and ensures psychological and mental well-being. Meanwhile, The Peninsula said that Katara demonstrated once more why it is the country's community hub by hosting a variety of events that were open to people of all ages, races, and religions. Off the field, Katara organizes a range of activities, such as live game screenings, mural presentations fusing sports, and arts and art exhibitions. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world have been flocking to Katara for more than 15 days to take part in its beautiful array of activities. The general public gets exposed to Arab culture in addition to cultural events. One instance is the recently opened Katara Traditional Dhow Museum, which offers a look into life in earlier times. The museum showcases the ships used by ancestors in Qatar and the Gulf region on their fishing and pearl diving trips, the transport of goods, diving tools, boats, the means used by sailors, and the blades used in the manufacturing of wooden ships. Katara is continuing its celebrations accompanying the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022, amid a large crowd of people from different nationalities and groups, the paper added. For its part, The Gulf Times highlighted the decision to welcome non-ticketed FIFA World Cup fans to Qatar from December 2, as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 organizers announced that non-ticketed fans can enter Qatar, after the end of the group stage, without requiring a ticket, to enjoy the World Cup atmosphere with the rest of the fans and teams participating in the tournament. (QNA)