Agencies/Doha
The Qatar 2022 Bid Committee yesterday announced African World Cup legend Roger Milla as bid ambassador.
The former African Player of the Year played a starring role in Cameroon’s magnificent 1990 run to the World Cup quarterfinals, scoring four goals and achieving worldwide fame for his charismatic displays and corner flag celebratory dances at the age of 38.
“I am honoured to represent Qatar’s historic bid to host the World Cup finals in 2022. Having experienced the magic and passion of the World Cup finals on three occasions, I am delighted by the opportunity to help create something truly unique in the Middle East. With this year’s World Cup taking place in Africa for the first time ever, my continent is set to experience the fantastic football celebration and the growth in all areas of football and youth development that comes with it,” Milla said.
“I believe that in 2022 Qatar and the entire Middle East deserve the same opportunity to host the Fifa World Cup for the first time and show the world just how serious and passionate they are about the game. I will work with all my energy and passion to bring about this great goal.”
The announcement was made in Luanda, Angola, during a presentation by Qatar’s 2022 Bid CEO Hassan Abdulla al-Thawadi to members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday at their annual Congress. During the presentation, a video was shown to the assembled delegates of Milla’s enthusiastic acceptance of his new role.
Al- Thawadi expressed his delight at welcoming the legendary star of African and World football as a new Qatar 2022 Bid Ambassador.
“ We are honoured that a man who understands the huge impact a World Cup can have, and also shares our passion for bringing the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time, has agreed to become an ambassador for Qatar 2022, working with us in the campaign and symbolising the aspirations that we all hold so dear.”
Al Thawadi added: “With Roger we now have a wide range of highly charismatic and influential Qatar 2022 ambassadors from all corners of the globe, highlighting the fact that our bid represents a coming together of nations in our cosmopolitan country. We are sure he will provide us with fantastic ideas and input and help to show the world what a wonderful and passionate tournament we plan to organise in 2022.”
The Bid Committee also announced Serbian football coach Velibor “Bora” Milutinovic as their latest high profile Bid Ambassador at a press conference following the Congress of African Football (CAF). The only man in history to have coached five different national teams at World Cup finals -- taking four of them beyond the group stages – Milutinovic has made a deserved name as the “Miracle Worker” of world football. “I am proud and honoured to be part of Qatar’s historic bid to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time. The World Cup for me is the most special celebration of football and humanity and I strongly believe Qatar has the perfect combination to host fantastic finals in 2022. My time coaching in Qatar made me discover the passion and great ambitions of this country” Milutinovic said.
He added: “This is a wonderful opportunity to help in an historic undertaking that would open an entirely new market to the Fifa family. Because I have coached five different nations at World Cup finals and seen how each region of the world where I have worked has grown as a result of this wonderful football competition, I am fully confident that a World Cup in the Middle East will be a resounding success. I will work hard and with all my football passion to show the world just how ready and passionate Qatar and the Middle East are to host this magnificent tournament.”
Qatar’s Bid CEO Hassan Abdulla al-Thawadi was equally elated at the decision of the experienced and world-renowned coach to join Qatar’s prestigious team of Qatar 2022 Bid Ambassadors. |
