New York City-based journalist, author and documentary maker Kiran Marahatta.
Doha: The admiration for Qatar hosting an exceptional and impressive FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 continues to rise. The tournament has received positive reviews from football fans and prominent personalities in different fields from around the world.
Qatar is offering the world a brilliant tournament experience, together with professional media services of all kinds, said New York City-based journalist, author and documentary maker Kiran Marahatta.
Kiran, who has travelled to Doha several times during the lead-up to the World Cup, in a conversation with The Peninsula said that as a journalist and football fan his experience has been smooth.
He first travelled here in February 2011 few months after Qatar winning the bid to host the World Cup. “Since then, Qatar has proved everything is possible,” he said, adding that World Cup stadiums were built from the scratch and one underwent huge renovation work.
“Qatar did the fastest way and the best way to host the World Cup,” said Kiran who is Editor-in-Chief and anchor at TV Sunday in New York.
Like many other journalists, Kiran arrived in Doha ahead of the opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and will be here until the final match on December 18.
“By providing access to several venues with media accreditation and giving all needed facilities for journalists, they are treating the media really the best way they can,” he said.
Kiran also praised the ease of movement from and to the media centres and stadiums, in addition to other places and the tournament’s good vibe.
“What I experienced during this World Cup is more than imagination; it is more than what anyone expects from a host country,” he said. “Everything is well organised,” he said, adding that the volunteers play a major role in making things easy for fans.
Kiran highly appreciated the concept of Hayya Card saying, “It is a great concept that gives access to the country, access to free transportation and major venues like the fan zones.”
He has been to all eight stadiums which are hosting World Cup matches. Kiran said that the compact nature of the tournament is a huge advantage for fans and journalists. He also said that the environment around the stadiums is safe.
“I have been to more than 30 stadiums around Europe including Barcelona, Madrid, Manchester United and others. Here the stadiums have unique infrastructure, design and technology; during the tournaments Qatar has demonstrated excellent crowd management and these lessons are to be taken to the future,” he added.
Kiran has made an international documentary on one of the biggest soccer star Lionel Messi and second richest Football Club FC Barcelona, and has also covered the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
Speaking about his world mission on FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Kiran said, “I’m here to enjoy the World Cup ... enjoy football, the atmosphere and celebrate the great sporting event on the planet.”
He added that everyone should enjoy the game and not turn the World Cup into a platform of political statements.
Last but not the least, Kiran, a native Nepalese, has a request to Qatar - to consider Nepal as one of the countries while assisting needy countries with sporting infrastructure as part of the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
