Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Marcelo Ebrard (second left); Katara General Manager, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (third left) and other officials during the event.
Hundreds of Mexican football fans gathered at Katara for the unveiling ceremony of Mexican sculptures and kick-start of ‘Caravan of Mexican Fans’ for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which were held yesterday in the presence of Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Marcelo Ebrard.
Ebrard lauded relations between Mexico and Qatar, saying the sculptures and mural in Katara will make the presence of Mexico in Doha even after the FIFA World Cup 2022 while speaking to fans in front of the ‘Bird Game’ mural by the Mexican artist Eva Bracamontes.
“This mural painted here will be a meeting point and identity of Mexicans during and beyond the World Cup. It will make our presence even after the World Cup,” said Ebrard.
Coordinator General of the Mexico-Qatar 2022 Strategy and Executive Director of Public Diplomacy , Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alfonso Zegbe; Ambassador of the United Mexican States, H E Jose Guillermo Ordorica Robles; Katara General Manager, Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and other officials were also present at the event.
Zegbe thanked for the generosity shown by Qatar to Mexico and its people for agreeing to set up a centre in Katara for Mexican fans. “It reflects the strategic relations between Mexico and Qatar. Today here we are creating a Mexican public space - a space of identity and gratitude,” he added.
Mexican fans – many of them travelled here for the World Cup were getting ready to create a ‘Mexican Wave’ during the match between Mexico and Poland in group C today.
Most of them, wearing colourful charro hats, green El Tri jersey and carrying a Mexican flags, were playing drums, singing and cheering for their country’s football team.
Tomas Ramirez, a Mexican fan, who is here for his first FIFA World Cup experience said, “I came here two days ago and finding the country and its people very comfortable. I’m very excited for the Mexico vs Poland match.”
Gina Manuel who has travelled to get her first World Cup experience with a friend, said, “We will be here for 15 days. We decided to come here to get to know new people, know about a new country and culture, while enjoying football.”
“The Mexico vs Poland match will be tough but we hope to win,” she added.
Fans living outside Mexico have also come to watch the tournament.
Lady Acuna Flores, a Mexican and Caez Edxavier from Puerto Rico, both living in the US, have travelled to experience FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and will be watching four matches during their stay until November 28.
“We are really excited to be here. Look at the crowd, we feel like being in Mexico,” the duo said, adding that they decided to come to Doha to experience a World Cup outside their country. They expressed high hopes for today’s game and said, “Hopefully Mexico will win 1:0 — though it’s going to be a tough game.”
While Macela Rico and Javier Rico long time Mexican residents in Doha said, “We are here for 12 years and we waited for this moment.”
