Ali Al Hitmi, President, Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF), poses besides an event hoarding inside Aspire Academy in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: SALIM MATRAMKOT
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: The Qatari capital has bid for the 2018 Artistic World Gymnastics Championships, a top official confirmed yesterday.
Ali Al Hitmi, President, Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) said the Bid File was submitted two weeks ago.
The decision is expected to be announced in June this year.
“We are very confident of winning this bid,” Al Hitmi said. “We launched plans to submit our Bid File around three years ago.
“The feedback on our events at Aspire Academy from FIG (world governing body) officials and that from the gymnasts convinced us that we should bring the world’s best event to Doha,” Al Hitmi added.
If Doha’s bid is successful, then it will be the fourth top world event to come to the Middle East.
Qatar will stage the Men’s World Handball Championships in 2015.
A year later Qatar will stage the Cycling World Road Championships.
In 2022, Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup.
“I will tell you how the idea of bidding for the World Championships popped up. We were constantly urged by the gymnastics family to go for something big.
“They said you have the top facility. They said we have one of the best events on the calender,” the QGF president said.
“Last year we got in touch with the Qatar Olympic Committee and explored the possibilities of hosting for the world championships.
“Then we started our preparations on the Bid File. We got together with our Board Members and got more feedback from the international gymnasts.
“We chose 2018 because we were in the 2020 Olympic Games race then. Although we are not part of the 2020 Olympic Games race now but QOC is eager to continue our bid for the 2018 World Championships.
“We have already submitted our file,” Al Hitmi said.
Al Hitmi said FIG will meet in Liverpool in May to announce the final list of bidding cities.
“As of now, we are the only bidder,” he said.
“Our Bid File is pretty convincing because the players compete and train here in Aspire Academy.
“Gymnasts prefer carrying out training routines and actual competition at one venue. We provide just that,” he said.
“I don’t want to go on keep praising our bid but we know that the FIG family is pretty happy with the five editions of FIG World Challenge Cup staged so far,” Al Hitmi said.
QOC has already deposited the astronomical Bid File of almost a $1m. Al Hitmi said the Bid File was presented at FIG headquarters in Swiss city of Laussane earlier this month.
On Tuesday, Romanian coach Octavian Bellu urged Qatar to host more events, saying Doha could even host the world championships if given a chance.
Bellu, who was inducted into International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2009, said: “This is my third time in Doha with the Romanian delegation. This is what I was discussing with Qatar Gymnastics Federation. You need to have more than one World Challenge Cup edition. You need to (probably) host the world championships.”
The 62-year-old, credited for helping Romania win dozens of medals in gymnastics, said Qatar has everything to bring the World Championships to the Middle East.
“Qatar has the money besides a team that can organise top events. Other aspects like good hotels and top-clash venues are also not an issue,” Bellu said.
“Qatar hosted the gymnastics at the Asian Games in 2006 at this very venue. This facility was used then. It was also used during the Arab Games (in December 2011).
“You have enough reasons to give to FIG (world body in gymnastics) to show what you want,” he said. “Qatar can create a gymnastics explosion in a positive way,” he added.
“That way you can introduce the sport to young fans in Qatar.
“Hosting an edition of the World Championships is different to staging an event like this one (6th FIG World Challenge Cup). At the World Championships you see top gymnasts from China, Romania, Russia and the rest of the globe present at one venue.”
THE PENINSULA
