DOHA : Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi on Thursday said Qatar’s ability to host major events is unparalleled, saying it's not a ridiculous notion that an Arab nation hosts the FIFA World Cup.
Al Thawadi was responding to a query regarding recent remarks made by the Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who said it is "ridiculous" that the World Cup is being played in Qatar.
“For a person who's had many, many years and understands the power of football, it is ridiculous that he can actually make such a bland statement,” SC’s Secretary General told beIN Sports in an interview.
“I'm sure that he hasn't spent a lot of time understanding what football means not only to Qatar, but to the Arab world. If he spent, I think, maybe a little time looking at the effect of the Arab Cup recently, the passion of the people of the Arab world, what football means to us,” he added.
The Secretary General said the entire world acknowledges Qatar’s stunning preparations for the World Cup.
“It is the time for the Arab world in the Middle East to take a stand within the global football community and to be recognised as such. The passion that we have is unparalleled. And you saw it in the Arab Cup. Our ability to host major events as a state is unparalleled. And this is, you know, the testimonials of many, many, many people from throughout the entire world, including from Holland and the Dutch. FA including from people within Europe and the United States and other, let's say, more traditional markets. They recognise our ability and our readiness,” he added.
Al Thawadi added: “The Arab world deserves its right to be in the sun and the sunshine and the spotlight. We've worked very hard to get to this stage, and I don't think we'll make any apologies for it. And the world has seen what we were able to do in the Arab Cup as a nation, as an Arab nation, as a Middle Eastern nation.
And they will be able to see it not only just in terms of funds, but also in terms of the many volunteers that will come that will be very welcoming to the outside world. That will be very welcoming to everybody.”
