Katara Hospitality, the leading hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar, announced its partnership with Spanish football league LaLiga, the sport’s "most popular" domestic league competition, to launch what will be "the world’s first LaLiga Lounge" at Hotel Park, a public family-friendly park situated in the heart of Doha’s bustling business district.
The new sports lounge, expected to open by mid-2017, will feature various facilities and amenities including big-screen televisions that will broadcast live coverage of matches, an official league shop, and the first themed restaurant for sports fans in Doha.
Hotel Park is an illustration of Katara Hospitality’s "commitment to social responsibility and the importance of promoting sustainability." The vibrant park, located adjacent to Sheraton Grand Doha, features fitness zones, children’s play areas, water features, and sprawling well-manicured lawns. The Park also offers a comprehensive parking allotment of more than 2,500 parking spaces.
While making the announcement, Katara Hospitality CEO Hamad Abdulla al-Mulla said the company's tie up with the LaLiga demonstrates its commitment to giving back to the local community while promoting social responsibility through an innovative initiative.
"With the opening of the world's first LaLiga Lounge, Katara Hospitality will be able to unite and engage fans with football through the new restaurant in the heart of Doha," said al-Mulla.
Former Real Madrid player and ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Fernando Sanz, who is LaLiga's global ambassador was present at the announcement.
He said, "Today is a very important day for LaLiga as we are laying the foundation of what would be the world's first LaLiga Lounge. Doha's is the first themed restaurant planned as part of an expansion that will give LaLiga fans the opportunity to enjoy similar spaces all over the world. It will also be a place where fans of LaLiga can meet to enjoy the best matches in the world with excellent food".
Sanz is also LaLiga's general director of Middle East and North Africa and International Projects.
Also speaking, generaal manager (Marketing & Sales - LaLiga) Adolfo Bara said, "LaLiga wanted to bring the competition closer to international fans and creating meeting spaces where they could enjoy LaLiga both during and outside of games.
Fans of all ages could also share their enjoyment of the game, added Bara while informing that their brand would also explore the prospect of expanding business in others parts of the region and also beyond, with similar tie ups.
"Katara Hospitality is the ideal partner given its high quality standards, social commitment and its position as one of the leading players in the hotel sector not only of the Middle East but across the world."
The LaLiga official indicated that the restaurant and other amenities would be completely ready towards the middle of May and the sport fans among the country's residents could have a real feel, enjoying its world class facilities.
The lounge, he said, would offer football fans an opportunity to experience one of the most popular global football brands, La Liga in a unique and engaging environment at the newly opened Hotel Park.
The Katara Hospitality official also read out a statement of its chairman Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.
While expressing happiness at the partnership with LaLiga, Sheikh Nawaf said Katara Hospitality has been at the forefront of the country's hospitality industry and it has developed a reputation for innovation, having created a series of firsts to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations.
"We are pleased to announce yet another first by connecting residents and tourists of Qatar with the world's most popular football brand through the first ever LaLiga Lounge in Doha," he said.
The launch of LaLiga Lounge at the press conference was followed by a LaLiga Clinic, which exhibited "exciting football skills" of some 18 Qatari players, from Aspire Academy, between 10 and 11 years of age.
LaLiga Clinic practice sessions performed by Sanz alongside LaLiga coach and players.
Aspire Academy was founded in 2004 with the goal to find and develop the best young male Qatari athletes, whilst also providing them with high quality secondary school education. The training philosophy of Aspire Academy is tailored to the capabilities, talents and goals of Qatar as a footballing nation.
LaLiga Global ambassador Fernando Sanz explaining a point about the tie up with Katara Hospitality as Hamad Abdulla al-Mulla and Adolfo Bara look on: PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Football fans in Qatar will soon have the "opportunity to experience" one of the most popular global football brands, LaLiga, in a "unique and engaging" environment at Katara Hospitality’s newly opened Hotel Park.
