Al-Thawadi: "We have completed 85% of World Cup construction"
The Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar remains on track for the 2022 World Cup.
Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), which is responsible for overseeing public-private infrastructure and development projects for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has said that despite the challenges facing the country he is convinced that they will be met and overcome. Al-Thawadi cited creativity as the main driving force behind Qatar hosting the World Cup in terms of building stadiums that will be repurposed after the tournament, installing the air-conditioning systems that are a key element of the overall plan and laying the turf in new stadiums to make sure it is in optimal condition when the World Cup kicks off.
“Hard work and innovation have always been at the forefront of our focus over the course of the past few months and we will continue to work with the same spirit and commitment on our path towards the 2022 World Cup,” Al-Thawadi said during the unveiling of the Education City Stadium, the third ground completed ahead of the tournament.
“Despite Covid-19, we remain ahead of schedule when it comes to delivering all the infrastructure required for the World Cup. We have completed 85% of construction across our portfolio and are well on course to delivering everything well in advance of the tournament. We have been obliged to adapt to the necessities of the coronavirus crisis and during the past few months the Supreme Committee has implemented strict distancing measures at all the sites connected to the tournament, including all the construction sites and our head office in Doha.”
“In many ways, I believe Qatar 2022 has become even more important due to recent events. Sport - and particularly football - has the potential to bring people together in a post-Covid-19 world,” Al-Thawadi said during an interview with Qatar News Agency, adding that the inauguration of a third World Cup stadium helps lift spirits and give us all something to look forward to. The World Cup in 2022 is the first in the Middle East and the second on the Asian continent and it will give us the opportunity to satisfy the desire of millions of fans to enjoy unforgettable experiences.
A message of hope in the time of Covid-19
Al-Thawadi added: "The Education City Stadium stands as a message of hope for the entire world despite the coronavirus pandemic."
The Secretary General of the SC also highlighted the unique design of the stadium, which has been dubbed the “Diamond in the Desert.”
"It's a beautiful stadium, first and foremost. The facade features diamond-like patterns, which change colour according to the sun's position - hence the nickname.”
Al-Thawadi also stressed the importance of the location of the stadium in Education City, a hub of learning that includes schools, universities and research and development institutions. "Education City is the home of Qatar Foundation, which is playing a huge role in helping our country deliver its National Vision - namely to develop a knowledge economy and shift our reliance away from hydrocarbons. This stadium is the next step in the story of Education City as it will provide facilities for this vast community both in the lead-up to the World Cup and beyond.
"SC also worked closely with our ambassadors, including the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Cafu, Samuel Eto'o and Tim Cahill, to share key messages about social distancing and details on how to stay active, both mentally and physically, during this testing time,” Al-Thawadi concluded.