Alkass Digital
Doha, Qatar- In a novel concept designed to mark the ‘Countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2022’, the Alkass Sports Channels conducted a panel discussion of experts to hear their opinion on the mega sporting event that is scheduled for the 21st of November, 2022 – precisely four years from today.
The panelists consisted of: Houtan Homayounpour, Head of International Labour Organisation Project Office for Qatar, Ivonne Baki, Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar and Oreste Del Río, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Qatar.
All three expressed great praise for the progress being made towards the final goal – The 2022 FIFA World Cup. Speaking during the panel discussion, Del Río hit the nail on the head when he said: “Qatar may be a small nation, but it is big at heart.”
“Football is a language that we all speak, that is globally understood… Hosting the World Cup will change the world’s perception of Qatar and the Gulf as a whole,” added the Panamanian Ambassador.
His views were seconded by Baki, who said: “Football brings the whole world together.”
“It has brought Ecuador and Qatar together even though we are far apart. We see a lot of similarities with ourselves and the Middle Eastern culture, even though we are geographically far away from one another,” she said and added, “His Highness The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's visit to South America improves relations, even outside of football.”
Homayounpour touched on the developmental, labour and and Legacy aspects of the FIFA World Cup 2022. “Qatar has done fantastically well in moving forward with the ambitious labour reform that the government has, many great milestones have been achieved,” he said.
“I think Qatar is doing extremely well, and I think they can really set an example. Qatar want to be the best when it comes to everything, including labour rights. All of our efforts help us achieve the results that the state of Qatar wants to achieve in ensuring decent working and living conditions for migrant workers.”
Speaking further on the labour reforms, he said: “We must help migrant workers in building their communities back home and for them to be able to develop their careers, families, and move forward in the right direction.”
Homayounpour pointed out that the legislative reforms being carried out in Qatar has taken into account all the expatriates, blue collar and white collar workers alike.
“These games will leave a legacy behind, and what better legacy for the World Cup to leave behind than making sure there are decent working and living conditions. The legislative reforms that are upcoming need to be good for everyone including workers, employers, government, and everyone around,” he said.
“Becoming a role model, not only for the region but for the world, and really making sure that everyone takes advantage of the benefits the country has to offer.”