Doha 2030 Bid Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, with the members of the Evaluation Committee.
Doha: The Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Committee yesterday presented to the OCA Evaluation Committee how it plans to deliver a celebration of sustainable progress, sport for life and peaceful diversity, reflecting the resilience, strength and ambition of Asia, the OCA and Qatar.
On a full opening day of the Evaluation Committee visit, Doha 2030 combined detailed presentations with interactive visits of the city’s world-class venues to explain why it is bidding and how it can guarantee a Gateway to a Magical Asian Games.
Doha 2030 Bid Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani welcomed the Evaluation Committee to Doha and said: “It is an honour to welcome the OCA Evaluation Committee to Doha. As people of sport, my team cannot wait to explain our plans about the certainty and lack of risk that we are uniquely able to offer the OCA and the best athletes in Asia in 2030.
"Just as importantly, is why this certainty is critical for Asia. What it will mean. And how it will free Doha 2030 up to deliver legacy benefits for the whole of our continent like we have never seen before. If we are awarded the great honour of hosting the Asian Games, I can assure you that we will deliver a magical Games,”
H E Sheikh Joaan who is also the Chairman of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), said.
The delegation was then taken to Qatar Foundation, home to some of the world’s leading educational institutes and a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and fostering social development. Qatar Foundation will play a central role in ensuring that Doha 2030 nurtures a vibrant and dynamic environment that strengthens community and cultural bonds, and celebrates Asia’s cultural diversity.
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development with the members of the Evaluation Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia during their visit to Education City Stadium, yesterday. Pic: AR Al-Baker
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, met with the delegation at the QF Headquarters, where they discussed the important role Education City plays in the country’s preparedness to host the 2030 Asian Games.
H E Sheikha Hind said: “Doha is undoubtedly a city that is ready to host the Games, housing world-class venues and infrastructure. The Games in Doha will celebrate sports and inspire a new generation of athletes, not only in Doha, but in the region and beyond.
“It is a pleasure to welcome the OCA Evaluation Committee to Education City. At Qatar Foundation, we strive to promote the values of participating in sport—sportsmanship, respect, commitment and fairness and active life. We do this because we believe that creating opportunities for people to enhance their health and wellbeing – and to come together as a community – is vital to nurturing a strong, vibrant, and active society.”
The Evaluation Committee was then taken on a short journey to the state-of-the-art Al Shaqab Indoor Arena, which is part of the Qatar Foundation Sports Complex and would host the equestrian events in 2030. At the venue, the Committee received presentations on Doha 2030’s vision, mission and compact, athlete-centred Games concept, as well as presentations on Qatar’s vast sport experience, its cultural diversity and how the Games will deliver legacy benefits before and after 2030.
Doha 2030 CEO, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said: “We want to re-imagine how the Games can be hosted. Instead of focusing on construction timelines, we would focus together on the future of sport in Qatar and in Asia. We want to address what is most important: delivering a legacy for Asian sport that is measured not in new venues but in better lives. And as the pandemic clears, we all know there will be many lives that could be helped by the benefits of sport. It would be our great honour to start the real work of improving those lives though sport with you, so that 2030 becomes a Gateway to a true celebration of our success in delivering a better Asia.”
The day concluded with a tour of the National Command Centre (NCC) and Dhuail Indoor Arena, where the Qatar handball team was training.
