Doha: H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Organising Committee for Qatar 2015, conducted a site visit to the two under-construction venues for the 2015 Men’s Handball World Championship over two days last week.
He visited Al Sadd Sports Hall on Thursday and discussed about the progress of construction with the responsible team and yesterday he visited Lusail Multipurpose Hall, which is set to be the largest of the three venues. He met with the responsible committees and contractors to ensure that deadlines are met.
“Qatar 2015 venues will be the ideal arenas for the Men’s Handball World Championship,” Sheikh Joaan said.
“The event will leave a vital sporting legacy for the people of Qatar in the form of our three outstanding venues. These venues will host international standard arenas and playing fields as well as advanced support facilities, such as training halls, media centres and (other) areas. The teams are working hard in order to meet the deadline and implement the highest international standards for major handball and mega sporting events,” he said.
The first venue that will be used for Qatar 2015, the Qatar Handball Association Complex, has already hosted its first event — the International Handball Federation (IHF) Super Globe 2014 — and received excellent feedback from visiting dignitaries and industry figures. The newly-built venue is one of the most modern and technically-advanced handball stadiums in the region and uses sustainable green technology to provide cooling and ventilation throughout the complex.
The new Al Sadd Sports Hall offers an area that will seat up to 7,700 spectators. The multi-purpose hall will also be able to host volleyball, badminton, gymnastics and even ice hockey matches in the future. Its design has received a four-star GSAS rating, highlighting the efforts taken to minimise ecological impact while addressing the specific regional needs and environment of Qatar.
During a meeting with the committees responsible for Al Sadd Sports Hall, it was agreed that the training areas will be fully-ready in October after the Eid holidays, so that Qatar’s national team can begin training there. Access to the area will be an important part of the national team’s preparation for the Qatar 2015 Championship.
The venues will play a key role in training and developing national teams and encouraging more young people to get involved with sports and become healthier. These are key strategic targets in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Organising Committee is taking the lead to ensure that all key areas are ready and available in accordance with the national plan.
Yesterday, Sheikh Joaan visited the new Lusail Multipurpose Hall with the committee leaders, providing an important opportunity to assess work progress to date.
Lusail Multipurpose Hall is set to be able to host 15,300 spectators and is designed to be one of the most “spectator-friendly” venues in the world, offering space and comfort for sports fans. Lusail’s distinctive grid is made of coloured glass, reflecting the representative elements of Qatar — sand, pearl and seawater.
In addition to viewing the main arena, the committees reviewed progress on the training halls, VVIP areas and other facilities.
THE PENINSULA
