DOHA: Swimming fans at the Hamad Aquatic Center were delighted to see a Fina event Doha, saying sports-loving Qatar should one day ‘win the rights to host the Olympic Games’.
With Doha hosting the prestigious swimming event for the first time, parents brought their children to see the Olympic stars such as Chad le Clos, Cameron Van Der Burgh and Katinka Hosszu in action.
Alan Moujaes, who attended the first day with his family, said he wanted to show the potential of the sport to his daughter who is learning swimming.
He applauded this event and said the decision for Doha to host the 2014 Fina Swimming World Championships (25m) is ‘great’.
Moujaes said: “The sports facilities in this country are fantastic. The championships and major sporting events that this country hosts, shows that the sports industry is moving forward in Qatar.”
A young Qatari swimming fan, spoke of how proud he was to see his country hosting the event.
Yousef Nuaimi, who attended the two-day event with his friends, said he was ‘very proud’ that big-name swimmers were in Doha for this competition. Nuami said: “I am proud to see the Qatari swimmers be given a chance here in Doha, in their home event and hope it will be a good thing for all Qataris.”
Among the spectators was Mansoor Ali, who came with his family. He said the main aim is to show his young children the importance of how fun swimming is, in the hope that they can take up the sport.
Ali said: “My family enjoys watching sport in this country. I want to show my children how good swimming and sport can be, because it’s very exciting to watch and compete in.”
Ali, who also attended the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, rated Qatar in the top three of the world for its sports facilities and ambitions.
“The facilities such as this (Hamad Aquatic Center) and the places around the Aspire Zone are excellent,” said Ali with a smile. “I will definitely come next year for this event,” he added.
Abdullah Mhedhib, a keen sports fan, said he brought his sons to the event, as they were learning swimming. Mhedhbi, who attended the 2006 Asian Games and the Pan Arab Games, last year said he enjoys watching sports events at venues because he ‘loves the facilities in this country’.
Mhedhbi said: “I rate the sports sector very high, because they invest money into the sport and put in a lot of time of making things happen. The Swimming World Cup (SWC) is another step upwards for swimming and for sport. I’m sure the Olympic Games will come to Qatar one day!”
Fans of all ages were in attendance at the Hamad Aquatic Center. Among those, were swimmers from H20 Swimming Club in Doha.
Coach, Janos Giber said: “We have brought in 170 swimmers from our club, to show what swimming is all about on the big stage. This is the first time an international swimming competition has taken place in Doha.”
He added that one swimmer from the club competed in the first leg meeting of the SWC in Dubai a few days earlier.
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