Qatar 2022/ Exceptional Experience for Fans with Disabilities at World Cup Stadiums

Doha, December 02 (QNA) - Executive Director of Community Engagement and Commercial Development at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Khalid Al Naama said that availability, accessibility, and ease of mobility were at the forefront of priorities during the preparation phase to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the FIFA Sustainability Strategy. Al Naama pointed out that by working with the Accessibility Forum, SC ensured that disabled people played a direct role in determining what type of services are available to them during the tournament, and how the World Cup can leave a long-lasting accessible legacy for the country and the region as a whole. For his part, FIFA’s Head of Sustainability and Environment Federico Addiechi said: "For each edition of the FIFA World Cup, we step up our commitment to sustainability. Qatar 2022 is becoming a standard bearer for other major sporting events when it comes to accessibility, going beyond basic infrastructure. This is about ensuring that every fan feels welcome and a part of this event, and we are proud of what we have achieved." Working with local stakeholders, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), FIFA and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC has set up sensory rooms for fans with access requirements at three Qatar 2022 stadiums: Al Bayt, Lusail and Education City. The spaces allow fans to watch matches in a quieter space, equipped with assistive technology and managed by expert staff. This edition of the FIFA World Cup has included the largest deployment of sensory rooms at a mega sporting event in history. A number of mobile sensory rooms have also been set up across Qatar to give fans the opportunity to step away from large crowds or loud music. Locations include the Corniche, where the SC has organized a vast number of cultural activations, and the FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park. The SC launched the Accessibility Forum in 2016, with members playing an active role in providing feedback on the SC’s infrastructure projects, working towards meeting FIFA Accessibility and inclusive design standards while helping to drive the accessibility agenda in Qatar. In addition to sensory rooms, Qatar 2022 also features a number of firsts for disabled fans, including the availability of audio descriptive commentary in Arabic at all matches. The tournament is also being hailed as the most accessible edition of the FIFA World Cup in history - with all eight stadiums being outfitted with facilities for disabled fans. (QNA)