International media acclaim continued to pour in over Qatar's unprecedented preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with a consensus that the upcoming World Cup will be exceptional and highly organised amid a great fan desire to explore Qatar and the Middle East region and their peoples.
Many economic and media reports hailed Qatar's arrangements that will see a successful and exceptional tournament amid western media-propelled distortion campaigns.
The reports highlighted Qatar's technical and organisational preparations for the championship including the construction of top-notch stadiums in addition to other logistical groundwork that will successfully cater to the large numbers of fans from all over the world.
Radio France Internationale (RFI) correspondent Nicholas Falez said in a report that a World Cup-related festive atmosphere envelops Doha with giant photos of football superstars mounted on residential towers, fan areas and the Corniche Road which is now closed off to traffic.
Qatar, during the 12-year-old preparations, have constructed excellent infrastructure for the World Cup including the highly-developed Doha Metro and other public transportation, the report said, highlighting that the country seeks to use this infrastructure as a legacy for future generations.
Another report by CNBC Arabiya highlighted the inauguration of MSC World Europa as the largest 5-star floating hotel cruise ship at the Old Doha Port for fans of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The report - aired as part of Eye on Qatar programme - said that the cruise ship will offer a unique accommodation experience for 6,700 World Cup fans with 2,600 cabins, seven swimming pools, 13 water whirlpools and a luxurious yacht club.
The cruise liner - one of the three ships owned by United Shipping Agency, a subsidiary of Qatari Investors Group Marine Services (QIG Marine Services) - will offer a number of World Cup-associated events, activities and night shows for a full capacity of 13,000 passengers.
Speaking to CNBC Arabic, Executive Director of Housing Department in the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Omar al-Jaber, said one of the main goals of integrating cruise ship hotels is to give World Cup fans multiple housing options.
Al Jaber added that the added advantage of the cruise ship is that it ensures there is no post-World Cup real estate surplus, thereby protecting the real estate market. Besides, it provides a sustainable solution to host fans during the tournament, he pointed out. Run by LNG, the cruise ship helps protect the environment during its stay in Qatar, he said, highlighting its geographic proximity to the Islamic Museum, Qatar National Museum, Souq Waqif, Msheireb, the main metro station, the Corniche, and Stadium 974.
Jordanian columnist, Mohamed al-Budoor, in an article carried by Jordan-based Madar Al Sa'a (Round the Clock) agency, said Qatar, carrying the world in its palms, is making history and introducing to the world the message of a civilised, contemporary and competitive Arab nation.
In the article, entitled "We All Qataris", the Jordanian writer points out that the Western-media-propelled baseless distortion campaign has targeted Qatar ever since it won the FIFA World Cup 2022 bid.
However, the on-the-ground situation has proved Doha's worthiness to organise such an international mega event.
Budoor stressed that the campaign claiming Qatar's inability to host the Word Cup and its labour rights violations were baseless and built upon ethnic and ideological views.
He added that some racist international media, marketing and public relations companies led campaigns against Qatar and the Arabs for economic motives.
Kuwaiti writer, Ghanima Mohamed al-Othman al-Haidar highlighted in an article carried by Kuwaiti daily Al Anbaa, Qatar's preparedness to organise a successful World Cup, and said Qatar's success is a success for all Gulf countries.
The article, entitled "the utmost success in Qatar" said the country has thrown its full weight behind the perfect preparations to ensure the Qatari flag soars high at all forums around the globe.
The whole world will learn about Qatar's persistence, ability to challenge, and its cadres who believed in its ability to organise an exceptional World Cup, he added.(QNA)
