Doha, Qatar: The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 officially declared yesterday the completion of all organisational preparations for the continental championship which gets underway at Lusail Stadium tomorrow.
During a press conference held yesterday at the Main Media Centre located in Msheireb Downtown Doha, the LOC officials revealed the arrangements that will ensure seamless orchestration of all related services throughout the tournament.
The opening ceremony is scheduled is 5pm before hosts and defending champions Qatar play Lebanon in the opening match at 7pm.
“Qatar is ready to welcome the best teams from Asia to what we hope will be the best-ever edition of the AFC Asian Cup. Our stadiums and sporting infrastructure are set to deliver a memorable tournament to players and fans,” said LOC Marketing and Communications Executive Director Hassan Al Kuwari, confirming the readiness of all logistical aspects, stadium facilities, and all other services and operations related to the matches. Al Kuwari expressed pride in Qatar being the first nation to host the continental championship three times.
“Just over a year ago, Qatar hosted an exceptional World Cup — the first in the Middle East and Arab world, delivering a meaningful and long-lasting legacy. The Asian Cup builds on this sporting legacy and reaffirms Qatar’s place as a global sporting capital.”
The LOC disclosed that nearly one million tickets for the matches have already been sold, with fans from Qatar, India, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the Philippines, and Indonesia leading the way.
Al Kuwari noted that the LOC expects the figures to surpass expectations due to the strong public interest in the tournament. The LOC official also mentioned the presence of over 3,000 journalists, photographers, broadcasters, and digital content creators from 55 countries who will cover the continental event.
Al Kuwari stated more than 6,000 volunteers representing 107 nationalities are deployed across 20 operational sites to ensure smooth operations and assist everyone. “Hosting mega-sporting events of this scale is more than just about the football. The Asian Cup will give fans from across the continent the opportunity to learn about new cultures, build life-long friendships, and create meaningful memories,” Al Kuwari said.
He emphasised the country’s intention to carry forward the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in the Asian Cup, utilising seven World Cup stadiums to offer a unique experience for fans.
A total of 51 matches will be played across nine world-class stadiums from tomorrow until February 10. Qatar’s compact nature means that the farthest distance between any two stadiums is 75 kilometres, a unique feature that facilitates participating teams in minimising extensive travel between matches. Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to attend more than one match in a single day.
LOC’s Mobility and Logistics Executive Director Faisal Al Moftah said that transportation services are fully geared up to serve everyone.
“Our modern public transport network will enable fans to enjoy an accessible, comfortable, and seamless experience, from the moment they arrive in Qatar. We have 37 metro stations in the State of Qatar, 5 stadiums completely connected to the metro, and 4 other stadiums that will be connected through the tournament’s transportation network,” Al Moftah said.
“Among our fleet of busses that will serve the guests and media professionals, 600 will run on renewable energy. We also have 81,000 parking spaces available around the nine tournament venues,” Al Moftah said.
Major Abdulrahman Al Tamimi from the Tournament Security Committee, said: “All plans have been put in place in coordination with key stakeholders. We organised the safest World Cup in its history, and we want to carry this legacy forward. Qatar is widely recognised by different international markers that it is one of the safest countries in the world, and is ranked highest in safety in the Middle East and North Africa” added Major Al Tamimi.
In partnership with Qatar Tourism, several activities are planned as part of tournament celebrations to create a carnival-like atmosphere across the country. These include musical concerts, international food and shopping festivals, and match viewing zones, amongst others. Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Director of Shared Services at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar will host an exciting array of events and activities, including the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, which is the most luxurious and elegant exhibition in the world, the Qatar International Food Festival, and the Shop Qatar Festival, amongst other activities.”
