Qatar is ready for the biggest fan attendance at a top regional sports final this year when it inaugurates the fourth venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 18.
The brand new venue will reach 50 percent capacity when fans turn up to watch Doha giants Al Sadd take on popular side Al Arabi in the 2020 Amir Cup final at Al Rayyan Venue.
Khalid Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing & Communications, QFA, Dr Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Information Systems, Hamad Medical Corporation, and Khalid Al Naama, Digital Media Manager at SC and Deputy Communications Director, Amir Cup LOC, are seen during a press conference held in Doha yesterday.
This was confirmed at a press conference addressed by Khalid Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing & Communications at Qatar Football Association (QFA), and Dr Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Information Systems, Hamad Medical Corporation.
Khalid Al Naama, Digital Media Manager at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Deputy Communications Director, Amir Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC). also addressed the media.
This will be the fourth World Cup venue to be inaugurated by Qatar after the unveiling of the iconic Khalifa International Stadium (May 2017), Al Janoub Stadium (May 2019) and the Education City Stadium (June 2020).
Earlier this year, it was announced the new stadium would host seven matches during Qatar 2022.
“Before I speak about the details of the final, I would like to say that Qatar now occupies a unique position on the global sports map. This is the first time in the world that we will see preparations for a sports final with a big fan attendance. A big attendance in times of pandemic is a huge deal,” Dr Al Musleh said yesterday.
“We had 40,000 fans last year for the Amir Cup final. During the pandemic, we have to take different steps. We have examined the matter of fan attendance very closely. Only 30 percent fans have been allowed at sports events so far but we can go further than this and go 50 percent. This can be considered a great success,” he said.
An aerial view of the Qatar 2022 World Cup venue at Al Rayyan.
“The Amir Cup final will be held at a 2022 FIFA World Cup venue. It is a venue with a 40,000-seat capacity. The Al Rayyan Venue will reach approximately 50 percent capacity when it hosts the Amir Cup final. No other country has been bold enough and courageous enough to take this step,” Dr Al Musleh said.
“We decided that everyone attending the match has to undergo a PCR test. Everyone associated with the match like the players, coaching staff, the staff at the venue, the members of the Local Organizing Committee, people like the TV crew, the match referees and assistants and the medical staff will have to test negative,” Dr Al Musleh explained.
“This process will guarantee all fans attending the final will be COVID-free. Everyone will be tested two days before the event,” Dr Al Musleh said.
“Mind you, at the stadium, social distancing will be strictly implemented. Only half of the stadium will be full which means fans will sit with gaps. Fans will have to show their Ehteraz app prior to entering the stadium.
Sanitiser bottles will be easily accessible at the stadium,” he said.
“This will be a real achievement for Qatar while it hosts sports events at this time. This is the example that we followed while hosting the AFC Champions League matches in the East and West Zones. We have presented our feedback to FIFA officials to show how we are doing,” he said.
Al Kuwari yesterday said pre-booking for the final has already commenced with huge demand for tickets witnessed.
“We are looking forward to a great atmosphere at Al Rayyan Venue on 18 December. Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety, in line with the measures implemented by the Supreme Committee for Crisis
Management. We have adopted a new ticketing process, which includes testing everyone for COVID-19 before they are allowed to enter the stadium. A good number of people have already claimed their tickets and we are looking forward to a great occasion on Qatar National Day.”
Al Naama said: “It’s an honour to have the new 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium to be inaugurated with the 2020 Amir Cup final just like when the Khalifa International Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium were inaugurated.”
He added: “The stadium has unique characters and it will be future headquarters of Al Rayyan club. The stadium is fully ready as it is hosting giants of football in Qatar. We look forward to hosting the fans. SC ambassador like Australian football star Tim Cahill will be there to celebrate the inauguration.”
