Representatives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) Community Engagement Division met with more than 300 UK-based Qatari students, during the second edition of the International Ambassador Football Tournament, to update them on the progress being made across the country in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In collaboration with the embassy of Qatar’s Cultural Attaché in London, the SC delegation visited Huddersfield, Cardiff and Manchester – which all host a significant number of Qatari students – to share information and build excitement as the journey towards 2022 gathers pace. Students attended information sessions and workshops at each location before participating in events to mark Qatar National Sport Day.
The visit ended with a five-a-side tournament at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, which included Qatari students from across the UK. The tournament was won by the team from Birmingham, with teams from Huddersfield finishing second and third.
Ali Mahmoud, the SC’s Head of Culture & Sport – Community Engagement, said the students received up-to-date information about Qatar’s mega-project. “It’s vitally important we engage with Qatari students abroad, especially in a market like the UK, where many Qataris study,” he explained. “We want our students to feel comfortable discussing the World Cup and help us to spread the word about our progress and legacy projects.”
Mahmoud added: “The students were very knowledgeable about the World Cup and very keen to hear about a number of topics, including when the stadiums will be ready, our communications strategy and the impact of the blockade.”
The students had reacted positively to the event, said Mahmoud. “The vast majority of attendees were very satisfied to be part of this project,” he continued. “It was a great opportunity for us to display our stadium models and show people that our tournament is coming to life.”
Since the event a database containing the attendees’ contact details has been developed so the SC can continue to share information with UK-based Qatari students.
Mahmoud added: “We will keep everyone posted with our projects through regular emails about all our activities, including the Youth Panel and Volunteering Programme. We want to make sure everybody connected to Qatar feels a part of our journey, including those people who are currently living abroad.”
The UK outreach initiatives are part of a wide-ranging scope of work undertaken by the Community Engagement Division. Among other responsibilities, the team manages the Youth Panel, Accessibility Forum, Volunteering Programme and Community Grant Scheme.
A team from Birmingham won the five-a-side tournament held at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, which included Qatari students from across the UK.
