The proposed design for the Khalifa International Stadium. (Right) Ali al-Mansoori, current Khalifa Stadium manager.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Khalifa International Stadium is a Qatari landmark. Built in 1976, it has played host to international matches, Gulf and Emir Cup Finals and the Asian Games, the ultimate test for the future host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. Few people know as much about this historic arena as Ali al-Mansoori, current Khalifa Stadium manager, who has served the Qatari sports sector for the last 30 years.
In an interview with sc.qa, Ali al-Mansoori talked about the history of Khalifa Stadium and how back in 1976 when it was built, it was surrounded only by desert. As the city has developed and grown around, so have the sports facilities under the umbrella of Aspire Zone, which now owns the stadium.
He said: “There will be many stadiums in 2022, but Khalifa will always be very special due to its history and its significance for Qatari football.”
Over 3 decades have passed, but Ali al-Mansoori still recollects the first match played at Khalifa Stadium and preparations for it. He said: “In the past preparations for games consisted of following routine steps, which differed slightly according to the people in charge. Nowadays, things have become more professional, as international standard procedures must be followed. As a result, expectations are much higher.”
When Khalifa first opened its doors, Ali was still a student of Literature and Education at Qatar University, but received a calling to start a career in the sports sector. “I was always passionate about sports, so when the Government offered me the possibility, I chose to work in the Youth and Sports Council,” he remembered.
He held different positions and eventually joined the team at Khalifa Stadium. “At the beginning we had a local operation, the teams weren’t professional either but as years passed we became experienced and hosted several important games, like the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship and the 2006 Asian Games,” said al-Mansoori.
Nigeria was due to host the Youth Championship in 1995, but an outbreak of a disease led to Qatar organising the tournament. For Mansoori, this was one of the first times Qatar proved it was capable of successfully hosting a major sports event, doing so even under very short notice.
Mansoori, who has dedicated his life to football, admitted that organising both of these events –2006 Asian Games and 1995 FIFA Youth Championship, was very challenging, particularly on a public level. “Residents were concerned that life would come to a standstill, imagining huge traffic jams and closed roads. These problems did not occur because of good planning and organisation,” he emphasised.
Mansoori spoke about the contrast between the way things were done in the past and how they are done now: “Matches are far more complicated now. The stadiums are filled with huge volumes of spectators and each event is accompanied with fan zones and entertainment activities. Before, the public would watch the game and then leave.”
Also a football manager at one point, he helped prepare Khalifa International Stadium for other events, including the 11th Gulf Cup of Nations in 1992. “It was one of the most important events held at Khalifa at that time, plus it was the first time Qatar took home the illustrious title,” he added.
Throughout the years Khalifa Stadiums has seen football superstars like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo display there best skills to a packed crowd. “All the big names that have played at Khalifa are surprised by the quality of the turf. They even kneel down to touch the grass to make sure it’s real,” he said.
He has learned to cater to the needs of major footballers and to always be prepared for whatever different teams require. “For instance, when the Japanese national team played at Khalifa, they were always keen on training at the stadium before the match and staying at Intercontinental hotel because they thought this would guarantee them good results,” he explained.
“We have to always be ready for the unexpected. Back in the 1980’s when the Municipality was in charge of the field maintenance, before one of the matches they used too much fertiliser on the grass and it turned yellow. With little time to find a solution we decided to paint the grass green. Luckily the game was at night and only a player that slipped noticed there was paint on the pitch,” he joked.
Ali al-Mansoori has a lot of memories about Khalifa Stadium, but one of the most memorable ones is the opening of the 2006 Asian Games: “Everyone was expectant to see how we would deliver such an important event but, as always, Qatar surprised the world.”
He said: “The day of the opening ceremony it was unusually rainy. HE Sheikh Mohamed surprised everyone by riding a horse to light the torch. As the turf was very wet he slipped a little bit. We all stopped breathing for a few seconds, but in the end it all went very well.”
Al-Mansoori has seen Qatari football develop from the first row. Also a football manager, he is very happy that renowned football players such as Raúl González or Xavi Hernández are joining Qatari teams to raise the level of the game played here.
“Raúl taught a lot of things to his teammates. You can still see his legacy in the way Al Sadd plays. Now when I see Ali Asad play from behind, because of his style of play, I feel like Raúl is still playing here,” he said.
As an experienced sports manager, al-Mansoori is sure that Qatar will surprise the world in 2022. He stated: “Before the Asian Games people were also afraid, but it all went very well. In 2022 it will be the same plus this tournament is not only for Qatar, but for the entire region which will also see the standard of football raised. Qatar is an open country and it will use this opportunity to learn from other countries.”
