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| The Athletes’ Village: ‘designed to be a home away from home for athletes |
Built and managed by Ezdan Real Estate, a Diamond sponsor of the Arab Games Doha 2011, the Athletes’ Village provides luxury accommodation and first-class sport facilities - the ideal environment for athletes and officials to prepare, rest and relax during the regional multi-sport event which will run from December 9-23.
“The Arab Games Doha 2011 is proud to offer a dedicated Athletes’ Village of this world-class standard for the first time in the history of the Arab Games. It is designed to be a home away from home for athletes giving them every opportunity to reach their potential and perform to the best of their abilities. Over 6,000 athletes and officials will be staying in this purpose-built vicinity proving our theme that everything comes together in Doha,” said Minas Stratigios, manager Athletes’ Village.
“For athletes, the location is not only a residential hub, it is a place for all athletes and officials to prepare, come together as national teams, socialise, and share their experience of the Arab Games. We want everyone who has travelled to Qatar to experience the warmth of the hospitality,” he said.
Designed to house up to 9,500 people, the four compounds within the Athletes’ Village consist of fully-furnished residential units, including four-bedroom villas, three-bedroom row houses, two-bedroom townhouses, and studios. All housing facilities are complete with basic amenities, as well as housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services.
The residential facilities in the Athletes’ Village are complemented by swimming pools, fully-equipped gymnasiums, and other recreational facilities, including pool and table tennis tables. Mosques, a polyclinic, and a day-care facility for children provide the Athletes’ Village with a sense of community. Further, a food court, coffee lounges, and event halls are also available for small or large gatherings.
“Ezdan has done a remarkable job at providing us with this outstanding village. We are confident that when the Arab Games are over, athletes and officials will take home a lot of good memories about the Athletes’ Village – it will certainly be an unforgettable experience for all,” said Mohamed al-Mullah, head of sponsorship.
“Most of the competition venues for Arab Games Doha 2011 are in close proximity to the Athletes’ Village, which makes it a convenient location for athletes and officials,” he said.
The Athletes’ Village complies with international safety and security standards. In addition to a centralised fire fighting system and carefully assigned exits, fire extinguishers and blankets have been installed in all apartments and tents.
“The accommodations have been allocated to each national team based on its size,” said Stratigios.
“Through this Athletes’ Village, our goal is to create an ideal environment for athletes participating in Arab Games Doha 2011, as well as athletes who will stay there in the future,” he said.
In October, the Athletes’ Village accommodated the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees (UANOC) delegation visiting Qatar, and was hailed as a village of Olympic standards.
During Arab Games Doha 2011, cultural events and performances will take place on a daily basis at the Athletes’ Village. Musical artistes and dance troupes representing Qatar, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq will entertain athletes, officials, and visitors at the Athletes’ Village throughout the games period. Movies and live sports updates will also be broadcast at the village.
The Athletes’ Village is also home to a wide range of creative artwork and stories presented by students across Qatar, at the conclusion of a two-month schools campaign in which thousands of youngsters across Qatar entered art and story competitions. Part of the Arab Games community outreach campaign, this initiative provided school children with the opportunity to express what the Arab Games means to them.
The artwork and writing is displayed at the Athletes’ Village as a colourful welcome to athletes who will be competing in Arab Games Doha 2011 – the first Arab Games to be hosted by a GCC country.
Featuring 29 sports and 21 Arab countries, Arab Games Doha 2011 will be hosted across 14 competition venues. For more information on tickets and the opening ceremony, visit the official website: http://www.arabgames2011.qa/newen/.