Representatives from Qatar and FIFA recently visited four proposed 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums to assess progress and further familiarize themselves with the venues.
The group, which comprised local experts from Qatar and FIFA staff, visited Al Wakrah Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City and Al Rayyan Stadium. They assessed various stadium facilities, including competition areas, ticketing, marketing, media, broadcasting, IT, hospitality, protocol, security and health and safety.
Khalifa International Stadium’s redevelopment was successfully completed in 2017 and is currently being prepared to host the 2019 World Athletics Championships, while Al Wakrah Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium and Al Rayyan Stadium are all in the final stages of construction.
Following health and safety inductions at each venue, the participants were split into smaller groups to assess the areas relevant to their expertise. During debrief sessions, each group reported on their findings and outlined any areas which required resolutions.
Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 joint venture, said: “The visits are the first step to ensuring all our stadiums meet FIFA requirements. We remain committed to delivering and testing all our stadiums well ahead of the big kick-off in November 2022 in order to ensure an optimum experience for fans, players, the media and sponsors, among others.”
Colin Smith, Managing Director of the joint venture and FIFA’s Chief Tournament and Events Officer, said: “The visits mark another important step towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The team had a very productive week, visiting four of the eight proposed stadiums for 2022.
“As the stadiums take shape and near completion, we’re now starting to look at operational aspects and this visit was the first of a range of organised stadium visits we’ll be undertaking to ensure the stadiums are all operationally ready to host World Cup matches long before Qatar 2022 kicks off.”
Further inspections of all Qatar’s proposed stadiums will continue on a frequent basis.
The Peninsula
01/03/2019
