middle east analysis
Qatar unveils three new
In a move that reflects the Gulf region’s love affair with football and the hosting of major sporting events, Qatar has revealed details of its ambitious bid to host the 2022 World Cup Finals, which includes the develop- ment of three high-tech stadia. Qatar hopes to bring the World Cup to the Middle
East for the first time in the history of the tourna- ment. The largest of the new stadia is Al Khor – with a capacity of 45,330 – located in the north east of the country and resembling an asymmetrical seashell. A flexible roof will provide shade over the pitch. Second to Al Khor in terms of capacity is Al Shamal –
which will house up to 45,120 spectators – located in the north of Qatar, on the edge of the Arabian Gulf. The stadi- um’s bowl shape design echoes a dhow, the traditional fishing boat of the Gulf. Around 10 percent of spectators are expected to arrive via the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge, which will be the longest free-standing bridge in the world upon completion. The third new stadium is the 45,000-capacity Al
Wakrah site, located in the south of the country and set in a park with a themed swimming pool, spa zone, sports facilities and shopping mall. If Qatar wins the bid to host the World Cup then
it will expand two existing stadiums. Al Rayyan – located 20 kilometres northwest of Doha – will double its capacity to 44,740 via a modular upper tier stand. A special membrane will act as a giant screen on the side of the stadium projecting match updates and tourna- ment information.
stadia for World Cup bid
Plans follow wave of football stadia development across the GCC
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Meanwhile, the Al Gharafa stadium – located close
to Doha – will also double its current capacity. The stadium façade will be made up of the colours of all the countries qualifying for Qatar 2022. Qatar 2022 chairman HE Sheikh Mohammed bin
Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, said: “The unveiling of our state-of-the-art football stadia and innovative cooling
technology is the latest step in our quest to bring the FIFA World Cup to the Middle East for the very first time in 2022. A FIFA World Cup in Qatar will leave a power- ful and lasting legacy, bringing together nations and cultures through our shared passion for football. “These plans show just how serious, innovative and focused we are about hosting a FIFA World Cup that will
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/jun-sep 2010
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