General view of the crowd ahead of Qatar v Ecuador match on November 20, 2022. Photo by Rajan Vadakkemuriyil
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has corrected wrong perceptions of Muslims, and the region and sent a strong positive message to the world; the efficient way Qatar is hosting the tournament will leave a legacy for the future, according to Qatari football legends.
Qatar has made a new history in football and international sports, by hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, by attracting the world into the region, said one of the greatest Qatari footballers of all time, Khalfan Ibrahim.
“We have been waiting for the World Cup for a long time. The defining moment that Qataris yearned for is now: it is a result of strenuous efforts made by the country over the years,” he said speaking to media at the Host Country Media Centre.
“We are happy with the way it is being organised and how it dazzled the world. Qatar sent many humanitarian messages to the world at the opening ceremony. As expressed through these messages Qatar and the Arab world love peace and co-existence and we have conveyed it to the world,” Ibrahim, who represented Qatar in 90 international matches, added.
Ibrahim is also a Qatar Legacy Ambassador, under the programme which seeks to work with some of the local and international high-profile names in football through the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) to highlight numerous local and global legacy projects and help use the opportunities provided by Qatar 2022 to create positive social change across the region and around the world.
Fellow Qatar Legacy Ambassador and Former national football player Adel Khamis lauded the organizing of Qatar 2022 and said, “everything is perfect.”
“Everything is perfectly organised for local and international fans. They can reach and leave the stadiums easily; most importantly fans can watch two or three games in a day, which is remarkable for any football fan,” said Khamis, who is considered one of the best defenders the Maroons have ever had. Khamis represented Qatar in the 1992 Arabian Gulf Cup, helping them to claim the trophy for the first time.
“There was plenty of criticism against Qatar, now when international fans came here, they see the reality and it has surprised many.
“The Arab and Muslim people have many positive things for the world, and we have shown it during this World Cup,” he added.
Khamis expressed hope that Qatar 2022 will leave a legacy for the future and that many more international sporting events will be held in the country.
“The legacy of this mega sporting event will be there for the future and Qatar will continue to host events such as the Asian Cup next year and then even Olympic Games,” he added.
