The Peninsula
More than 100 volunteers from the Sultanate of Oman have been helping Qatar deliver the FIFA Arab Cup, which will conclude on 18 December. The tournament has proved a golden opportunity to fine-tune preparations for the FIFA World Cup, which will kick off on 21 November next year.
The Omani delegation was invited specially to take part in the tournament, which featured more than 5,000 volunteers from 92 countries. The tournament has been a major success and featured the highest attendance for a sporting event in Qatar’s history when the host nation faced the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals at Al Bayt Stadium in front of 63,439 fans.
The Omani volunteers acted as fan support during the tournament. One of the volunteers, Bushra Al Hassania, said: “Giving back to the community is something I firmly believe in, because I see it as both a duty and an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and engage in new experiences – ones that will create memories for a lifetime.”
She continued: “I really wanted to participate and see first-hand Qatar’s World Cup preparations. What I have seen is truly amazing and fills me with pride, and I encourage all young people from across the Arab world to volunteer and be part of what will be an historic event – a World Cup for all Arabs to celebrate and work towards making a resounding success.”
Another volunteer, Julanda Al Balushi, considers volunteering a defining moment in his growth and development.
He said: “I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to volunteer at the Arab Cup. Every young Arab should take it upon themselves to give back to their community. This type of generosity and commitment to those around us is a defining feature of who we are.”
“I wanted to take part in an event that’s as big as the Arab Cup, one that’s taking place across World Cup stadiums, and organised to the highest of standards,” continued Al Balushi. “I will definitely try my best to play a role in Qatar’s continuing success in hosting international sporting events – something that fills all of our hearts with pride.”
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s Volunteer Strategy Manager, Nasser Al Mogaiseeb
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s Volunteer Strategy Manager, Nasser Al Mogaiseeb, praised the impact of the Omani volunteers.
He said: “We are all thrilled with the presence of our Omani guests, who have come to support their brothers and sisters in Qatar during this important event. Their enthusiasm and desire to make the Arab Cup a success is palpable and exactly the type of energy we need as we make our way closer to the World Cup.”
Al Mogaiseeb continued: “The Qatari and Omani peoples share a special relationship, as do all Arabs, all of whom are excited to welcome people from around the globe to the Middle East in under a year’s time. This excitement has already translated into a remarkable response from thousands of volunteers across the region who have applied to become Qatar 2022 volunteers.”
More than 20,000 volunteers will support the delivery of next year’s FIFA World Cup, which will be the first to take place in the Middle East and Arab world.
“The World Cup is an event that brings the entire world together every four years. Nothing will capture this sense of community like the tens of thousands of volunteers who will come from across the world to take part in what we know will be an historic event,” said Al Mogaiseeb.