FOOTBALL ANY WHICH WAY: Qatar’s biggest football table, with 22 players, to keep their energy levels going! Photo by the author
By Umer Nangiana
For a moment, you forget you’re in the middle of a harsh summer in Qatar these days. You enter a cool wave even before stepping into the arena. And if you are planning to stay for more than an hour in there, you would probably regret not having a protective shield — yes, it gets that cold!
And it is not even a closed facility like say, a cinema hall. It is Qatar’s first cooled open air World Cup Fan Zone launched last Saturday, screening all remaining matches of FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil from knockout stage onwards.
Set up on the premises of Katara Cultural village, the 1500-strong capacity facility is literally, a fan zone, fanning hundreds of football fans with its perfectly conditioned cool air right in the middle of the desert heat.
The fan zone is cooled to an optimal temperature below 30 degree Celsius during the scheduled match times courtesy a range of innovative technologies.
“We have worked hard to prove this technology is real and exists today. Qatar has already proved we can cool football stadiums. The next step is to demonstrate our capabilities of cooling open air public spaces,” Ghanim al-Kuwari, Competition Venue Director of the Supreme Committee (SC) for Delivery & Legacy, said in a statement released earlier.
Cooling technology has been available at Jassim bin Hamad (Al Sadd) Stadium since 2008. Qatar, where summer temperatures can go up to 46 and above, has already demonstrated through the Al Sadd Stadium that it can host World Cup matches in cool and comfortable conditions.
The fan zone is a first demonstration of cooling open air public places.
“With eight years to go before Qatar hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup, we are delighted to put into practice the latest cooling technology. The Brazil 2014 Fan Zone is a key step in our journey to delivering an amazing fan and player experience in 2022,” said al-Kuwari.
The Brazil 2014 Fan Zone at Katara is not just about celebrating the most watched event in the game, but also to implement and test cooling technology which is part of the SC’s research and development efforts in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, the committee said on the occasion of the launch.
How did they manage to create a chilled atmosphere inside the fan zone surrounded by hot and humid air?
Four cooling columns, located at strategic points within the venue, deliver cooled air into the fan zone. The flexible cooling system then responds to different climatic conditions, using a range of delivery methods, SC explained.
These methods comprise dedicated ventilation units providing sufficient cooled air to meet the internal condition across all of the occupied zones. High level jet nozzles restrict prevailing winds while low level diffusers provide comfort for the spectators.
Mechanically adjustable dampers regulate the air with an external weather station providing real time data and cooling mist is injected into the venue, enhancing the evaporative cooling effect.
“The application of various cooling technologies in the Fan Zone will help SC engineers develop an understanding in how to create the perfect energy efficient system ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar,” the SC added.
Over time, the system will be further enhanced and refined as other technologies are developed, with SC engineers investigating the feasibility of utilising cooling capabilities for a variety of environmentally beneficial purposes.
The fan zone features a fully retractable roof, allowing for testing and researching the cooling technology in a range of climatic conditions. The data collected during this testing phase will help ensure that efficient cooling technology is in place during the 2022 World Cup, the Supreme Committee further explained.
The technology developed will leave a lasting legacy for the country and others with similar climatic conditions as it would allow them to host major sporting events.
Ever wondered how 2022 Qatar will look like with its entire infrastructure developed?
Well, the 2014 Brazil Fan Zone provides a decent glimpse. Besides the first-of-its-kind 10m LED panoramic screen showing live matches, the family fan zone hosts a multitude of activities to keep the spectators ‘warm.’
“We wanted the public to experience the cooling technology and at the same time to feel the atmosphere of the World Cup,” Jawaher al-Khuzaei, PR Manager for SC, told Community.
Between the matches or even if a running match gets ‘slow’ on pace, you can jump onto Qatar’s biggest football table, 22 players, to keep your energy level high. The football table is the main attraction for most of the visitors. Anyone can join or leave at any time and you can still manage to score a ‘goal’.
It is a team spectacle that gathers its own audience parallel to the World Cup audience at the venue. Children have a ‘kids’ corner’ where they can get their faces painted besides enjoying soft play, a mini entertainer stage and a gaming pod. You would come across many faces with their teams’ flags painted on their cheeks.
Other family-friendly interactive activities include an agility test and a mini beach football, popular particularly among children. Two technology assisted fun games however, remain popular attraction for adults, both men and women. At ‘power shot’ you can test the speed of your penalty shots while at the ‘precision shot’ you can set records by scoring as many goals as possible in one minute.
Football themed jugglers and acrobats are a constant presence at the venue, demonstrating their skills besides providing visitors opportunities to pose for pictures.
Before the first match and between the two matches, you would see on stage enthralling performances from Bboys and Brazilian drummers while music, dance, story-telling and stand-up comedy would continue side by side.
Even if your attention is not focused on the big screen, you are unlikely to miss a big moment in the match thanks to gigantic side screens featuring light and sound effects that notify every major development on the field.
“It has a bit of technology and fun to it. We wanted it to be a family atmosphere so we have some activities for kids, for families and even for women, so you can bring your family here, watch the game and have fun,” said al-Khuzaei.
She urged everyone living in Qatar to visit the venue, experience the cooling technology and enjoy. The pre-registration through online portal is complete, which the PR manager says, is a huge success in itself.
Match screenings are free and open to all. However, the remaining tickets available on first-come-first-served basis can be obtained in person from the Doha Exhibition Center (DEC) near Katara. There is a car parking for visitors at the DEC parking lot and those who have pre-registered get premium passes to park right next to the venue.
Shuttle bus services between the DEC parking lot and the venue would remain operational throughout the event. The management advises visitors to carry their ID with them as it would be required for registration.
Those who have pre-registered would also have a chance to win a trip to the World Cup finals in Rio de Janeiro, two Kia cars besides a brunch and an overnight stay for two at W Doha hotel through competition. W Doha is also providing food and drinks after sunset prayers at the venue through its stalls. The 2014 Brazil World Cup Fan Zone Katara opens two hours prior to the start of the first match and remains open an hour after the last match — if there are two matches in a single day.
