The Peninsula
The power of hosting the FIFA World Cup and Qatar’s preparations for the next edition of the tournament were discussed on day one of the Leaders Meet conference in Doha.
During the opening session, H E Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), described hosting the World Cup as a golden opportunity to build cultural bridges and change stereotypes about the Middle East and Arab world.
Speaking during a session titled ‘Healthy, Happy & Historic: Setting the Scene for Qatar 2022’, Al Thawadi said: “I’ve always insisted that this World Cup is a precious opportunity to create bonds and friendships that can serve to break down existing stereotypes and prejudices – on behalf of the outside world and ourselves. We need to get beyond the polarising discussions and debates that entrench divides between communities and nations. We need more platforms to bring people together, interact and appreciate each other as human beings, and this World Cup is the perfect opportunity for us to realise that vision.”