Qatar 2022 , livre ebook

Pitch Publishing Ltd - ND Prashant

Découvre YouScribe en t'inscrivant gratuitement

Je m'inscris

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

159 pages

English

Vous pourrez modifier la taille du texte de cet ouvrage

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

A propos
Informations
Extrait

Description

Qatar 2022 is an insider's view of the country's ambitious plans for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, and the journey that led them to become the first World Cup hosts in the Arab world. From desert tribes to pearl divers, to being custodians of the third-largest gas reserve in the world, there are many fascinating facets to this great nation. The book reveals how an influx of wealth transformed the country's aspirations to become a global powerhouse. To achieve recognition and regional dominance, Qatar strategically made sport its prime focus before delivering the seemingly impossible and winning the World Cup bid in 2010. There were many stumbling blocks along the way, but Qatar refused to quit. With the eyes of the world turning to Qatar for World Cup 2022, the nation realises this event will be pivotal to how the world perceives it. Knowing Qatar's ability to host events with panache, prepare to be blown away!

Sujets

World Cup

Qatar

Informations

Publié par	Pitch Publishing Ltd
Date de parution	03 octobre 2022
Nombre de lectures	3
EAN13	9781801503716
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0500€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

First published by Pitch Publishing, 2022
Pitch Publishing
A2 Yeoman Gate
Yeoman Way
Durrington
BN13 3QZ
www.pitchpublishing.co.uk
ND Prashant, 2022
Every effort has been made to trace the copyright.
Any oversight will be rectified in future editions at the earliest opportunity by the publisher.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the Publisher.
A CIP catalogue record is available for this book from the British Library
Print ISBN 9781801503709
eBook ISBN 9781801503716
---
eBook Conversion by www.eBookPartnership.com
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Introduction
My Journey
Pearl-Diving to Black Gold - a Nation Emerges
Asian Games Whets Qatar s Appetite
Football in Qatar
Qatar Submits Bid
The Migrants Issue
Sheikha Moza and Women s Empowerment
Arab Spring
Al Jazeera: The Start, the Journey and the Controversies
Rise of Emir Sheikh Tamim and his Resolve
Intriguing Relations
Blockade Saga
Historic Asian Cup 2019 Win for Qatar
Growth of Qatar Football, Aspire Academy Influence and Other Sporting Stars
Qatar Gains in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Qatar s Investments
Qatar Facilitates US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Impact of COVID-19
The World Cup Stadiums
Infantino Throws Weight Behind Qatar
Qatar Warms Up
Treat and Trivia
Draw For World Cup 2022
Monuments of Qatar
Sports as a Driver in the Gulf
Conclusion
Family Tree
Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Schedule
Photos
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THIS BOOK has been my secret desire since the day Qatar won the bid to host the World Cup, leaving the world in disbelief.
Since then, I have lived and worked in the UAE and Germany. The former has had mixed relations with Qatar. The latter is looking towards the gas-rich nation to pull them out of a rut at a time when the Russians are holding Europe to ransom, threatening to shut off gas supplies following their invasion of Ukraine.
Having moved away from Qatar it wasn t until a coffee break with my colleague and dear friend Ryan Hills, who inspired and encouraged me to give it a shot. He was so persistent that he left me in no doubt. Thanks Ryan! Had it not been for you, this book wouldn t have seen the light of day.
This book also marks one year since I cheated death having spent nine days in the intensive-care unit with COVID-19. I submitted the manuscript on the same day I returned home from the hospital. A big shout out to my best friend, Dr Niraj Khanna, Anoop Lawrence, all the doctors and the tirelessly working support staff at Global Hospital, Mumbai.
I d like to thank all the athletes I have met and interviewed over the years. They gave me silent inspiration when I was trying to get back on my feet.
My wife Vinisha, who has stood beside me like a rock, sacrificing her career, and special love to my son Shaurya, who has been waiting for me to finish this book to spend some quality father-son time. I love you both you will never walk alone.
I dedicate this book to my mum Sathy, who sacrificed her entire life to bring me and my kid brother Nishant up, single-handedly through many years as my father battled with paralysis. I love you mum! You are an institution.
And for all the late-night matches spent together, bantering over the Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry, thanks, Nishant, for those fond memories.
To my father-in-law Vishwanathan, whose excitement knew no bounds as I announced the book and for encouraging me every evening with a cheers over his favourite rum. I can t wait to toast the book when I m with you next. Mum-in-law Bharathy for all her prayers and to sister-in-law Vijisha for all your love and encouragement. You keep asking, What s next, cheta (brother)? I am already at it: learning German - Mia san Mia .
To each of my mentors - Sanjjeev Samyal, Ahmed Rizvi and Anil John - who have supported and encouraged me all through my career.
To my dear friend Kumar Shyam, who introduced me to journalism at a time when I was still figuring out my career. Your insight into this milestone moment of my life - the book - was indeed destined. Thanks for everything you and your family have done, especially Preeti and Richa for putting up with all my tantrums. You both rock! And Dharmendra, how could I miss you out?
A big thank you to everyone at Pitch Publishing for all your support. With very little time in hand, I thought the book wouldn t enthuse you and I would have to shelve it. You certainly brought back the child in me by sending that email.
Gratitude to all the organisations that have shaped my career - The Asian Age, Gulf Times, Gulf News and the International Paralympic Committee.
Apologies to Tissy and Pooja - the toughest part was to keep it hidden from you both, but I know you girls will be the happiest thanks for always being there.
And for all the virtual daily Zoom check-ins that helped us all stay sane through the pandemic, my circle of support: Krishma, Prinu, Amit, Geetz, Suma, Navin, Guru, Arun, Jerry, Roy, Bindu, Deepak, Rinku, Ganesh, Prasad and Anup.
Lastly to my dearest friend Aarati - the void you have left can never be filled. I miss you dearly.
DISCLAIMER: This book is an honest attempt to look at Qatar s journey through the years leading up to the FIFA World Cup in November 2022.
The references in the book are in the public domain and are also based on the experience of the author as a journalist in the region, covering mainly sports.
All efforts have been undertaken to keep the information as up-to-date as possible and credit given where sources have been used in the preparation of this book.
INTRODUCTION
WE ARE going to new lands, Sepp Blatter announced after Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Indeed, to new lands but a barren one , felt most. The decision was astonishing and sent tremors across the football world.
More than a decade has passed since that announcement and the stage is set for the world to see Arabia through Qatar s pioneering vision.
Those who know Qatar and their organisational abilities would agree, the experience is going to be magical. Anything that happens in the region has to be grand, it has to be different, and it has to charm the world. Yet, when it was awarded the most prestigious football tournament most were sceptical.
The shock-and-awe effect still lingers. The cynicism over what lies ahead remains, but is this prejudice and disdain, a product of the Western media?
Did Qatar buy their way into getting hold of world football s showpiece event?
Even if there is enough evidence to prove that is the case is it the first instance of such a tactic? With FIFA embroiled in a raft of corruption allegations, some would argue that the sport hasn t been clean for some time. Nations such as the US and UK cried foul and called for a probe into Russia and Qatar winning the rights to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups: the findings opened a can of worms.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation found that the 2014 event in Brazil wasn t clean. Then an investigation by UK newspaper The Sunday Times claimed in 2015 that the 2010 World Cup bid, which went to South Africa, was actually won by Morocco!
Russia and Qatar had beaten both the UK and US respectively, in the bidding process. It has been a hard pill to swallow for some of the big nations.
The investigation eventually spanned four World Cups, going right back to 2010. Each decided by the bosses of the World and European bodies - Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini - who were removed from office and eventually stood trial.
The reluctance to accept Qatar s win was evident. Their football pedigree and sporting history was quickly questioned. Heat was also an issue that was raised, although that had merit.
FIFA s solution was to offer Qatar to host it in the cooler winter months, but this did not go down well with football s more established order.
Had the World Cup been played in the hottest climate, Qatar claimed they would have had a solution, with air-conditioned stadia.
The nation has rich gas and oil reserves, and human-rights-violation claims have repeatedly targeted Qatar to try and put it on the back foot.
But where on earth do we not have problems? Is there peace in Europe? Aren t there migrant issues elsewhere? Isn t there racism?
There is no denying that there are issues in the Middle East. The region has its share of geopolitics; there is less freedom for women and human-rights violations exist. For an expat-driven society, more needs to be done and what better time to push for change when the world s eyes are on Qatar?
The pressure on Qatar from external media and human rights watchdogs has worked, workers reforms have come into place in Qatar. More importantly, the reforms need to continue and remain in place even after the World Cup has played out.
Qatar has stood firm amidst these allegations. The focus has been on delivering on their promise of staging a one-of-a-kind World Cup.
Closer to home in the Middle East, they were cornered by a blockade that would have forced many to buckle under pressure, but Qatar withstood the barrage.
For those questioning Qatar s football credentials, the apt answer came in 2019 with their empathic win in the hostile territory of the UAE to clinch the Asian Cup, with a win over Japan. It was the result of their aim to develop a young side that isn t there to make up the numbers as a host nation, but also to perform.
No one wants instability, and the people of the Arab region are no