Qatar 2022 facilities capable of managing coronavirus challenge
Maintaining strict coronavirus preventive measures during continental and local competitions in Qatar was one of the notable things during the competitions.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the sports community has been busy finding solutions to recover the sport. Qatar has developed resources that have helped restore the glory of football, especially having managed to construct the 2022 World Cup facilities.
Much of Qatar's success at a sporting level, as well as its crucial role in hosting local, regional and international competitions during 2020, placed it on the world map of sport with new standards to keep all participants safe.
Qatar has achieved all of this while being host of the first World Cup in the Middle East. Qatar 2022 takes place in less than two years, an event which will test the newly built World Cup stadiums for hosting sports events, and also enhance the experience for fans and guests of Qatar 2022.
AFC Champions League success
Success was achieved in hosting the AFC Champions League competitions for East and West Asia, with the final being attended by 10,000 fans. The organisation of the Qatari Emir Cup saw 12,000 fans attend.
Maintaining strict preventive measures during continental and local competitions was one of the notable things during these competitions. All fans and organisers had to take covid-19 tests.
Nassel Al Khater, executive director of FIFA Qatar 2022, praised all the efforts during the final of the Qatar Emir Cup, played at the Ahmed Bin Ali World Cup stadium. "Tonight culminates all the efforts of the staff who have worked tirelessly over the past few months, collaborating with partners to achieve the success of the AFC Champions League and the Qatar Emir Cup."
The importance of supporters
Several footballers have spoken about the significance of supporters in stadiums during games and also in the Emir Cup Final played at the Ahmed Bin Ali stadium.
Retired footballer Mohamed Aboutrika, said: "Playing with the presence of the fans is everything for a footballer, as soon as you hear the fans sing your name in the stadium, you will know that your name will remain in their memory forever."
Samuel Eto'o, ambassador of the Organizing and Legacy Committee, said: "Qatar has taken the situation seriously, as they took many strict measures that allowed the fans to attend matches safely."