Qatar has condemned attempts to politicise and racialise football and sports, stressing that it refuses to engage with malicious campaigns, and will continue to adhere to its national and Arab values, and international standards in preventing the politicisation and racialisation of football in general.
This came in a statement by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani at the 77th UN General Assembly to discuss sports and development and a draft project on sports as a factor helping achieve sustainable development.
Qatar is facilitating discussions over the projects since it co-chairs, along with Monaco, the Group of Friends of Sport for Sustainable Development.
The General Assembly's discussions coincide with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is being hosted by the country.
HE Sheikha Alya said that Qatar was delivering on its promise, highlighting the historic opening ceremony for the World Cup that took place on Nov 20, inaugurated by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with inspiring words.
"We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments. We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity. Finally, we have reached the opening day, the day that you have been eagerly waiting for," she said, quoting the Amir's speech at the opening ceremony.
"People of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments. How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time," His Highness added.
She expressed her appreciation of His Highness's historic speech, saying it was an eloquent reply to the unfair and politicised campaigns, that carried racial elements, targeting Qatar's hosting of the World Cup.
HE Sheikha Alya noted that the announcement of sustainable development goals at the World Cup 2022 during the historic launch of Scoring For The Goals on Nov 21, which calls for co-operation to achieve sustainable development goals on the sidelines of the competition.
In this context, she noted the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pavilion on the sidelines of the World Cup competition in the Fan Zone at Al Bidda Park by Chairperson of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and SDG Advocate Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
HE Sheikha Alya confirmed that this pavilion will hold and organise various activities throughout the days of the tournament, in cooperation with the Foundation's partners from Unicef, Unesco and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, pointing to holding discussion sessions with world leaders, presenting works of art, and workshops to highlight sport as a means to promote international development and peace, in addition to its role in achieving the goals of sustainable development.
She also expressed Qatar's pride in this pavilion, which had the honour of visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his participation in the opening of the tournament.
HE Sheikha Alya renewed Qatar's firm commitment to work with regional and international partners to confront international challenges and problems, and to provide effective solutions to them, especially the implementation of the relevant General Assembly resolution.
She praised the report of the UN Secretary-General on sports as an incentive for a better and stronger recovery for everyone, calling on member countries to implement the report's important recommendations.