Qatar’s commitment to hold a FIFA World Cup that would leave an everlasting legacy for the generations to come has been reaffirmed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi.
While delivering the keynote address at the 1st Major Event Safety and Security Conference yesterday, the official asserted in no uncertain terms that the country would not compromise to ensure safety and security of the highest order to the football fans expected to throng Qatar during the 28-day sport extravaganza to be held in five years from now.
Reiterating that terrorism is a challenge that several countries across the world are experiencing these days, the Qatari official stressed each nation needs the other and everyone should stand together for the successes of not only the World Cup but other sport events as well.
“We need each other as no country is safe from terrorist threat these days,” said al-Thawadi while adding that there is greater need for enhanced understanding among the Interpol partners for the success of any major sport event.
The Supreme Committee official said Qatar is continuing its efforts to ensure peace, safety and stability across the region and studies carried out by reliable and authentic institutions and agencies have found Qatar as the most peaceful and liveable country of the Middle East and North African region (Mena) for the ninth year running.
“Besides the superior Global Peace Index (GPI) ratings, World Economic Forum (WEF) too has put Qatar in the top-10 country as far as peace, safety and security aspects are concerned.”
The official said Qatar’s close association with the Interpol and other international partners since the 81st Assembly in Rome (2012) has accelerated the country’s efforts to build and train an effective security force to efficiently manage and organise the 2022 FIFA World Cup to the maximum satisfaction of people from all over the world.
There has been excellent co-ordination among the national and international agencies and forces since 2012 in such crucial areas as law enforcement, sharing of knowledge and information and similar issues, he said while recalling that contingents from Qatar were present for a direct and better understanding of the safety and security levels at such venues as the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Qatar’s personnel have learned significantly from their experiences at such major sport events, he said. “Our officials were also present at the venues of European, French and English Premier League on their further learning efforts,” said al-Thawadi.
The country’s security officials would also undertake familiarity tours to several other major sport events in coming years for greater understanding of mandatory requirements for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he added while hoping that the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East would emerge as a platform for people from the East and West to stand together.
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi speaking at the 1st Major Event Safety and Security Conference yesterday. Right: HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, HE the Minister for Development Planning and Statistics Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Qatar Central Bank Governor Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani and other dignitaries in the audience. PICTURES: Jayaram
