Reactions and media praises from the Gulf and Arab regions continue to pour in, commending the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, particularly, the opening ceremony held last Friday at the iconic Lusail Stadium that has been lauded as a special, remarkable, and legendary celebration befitting the sports capital, Doha.
Numerous media outlets described the event as historic and stunning, capturing global attention and impressing football enthusiasts. The opening ceremony stood out for shedding light on the Palestinian cause, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression. This initiative was acclaimed and appreciated by TV reports, praising the superb organizational level provided by Qatar to ensure the success of the tournament.
In this context, coach of the Tunisian national football team Samir Al-Shadhli said that the Asian Cup Qatar 2023, in terms of organization, is another display of Qatari creativity and excellence that was seen during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Al-Shadhli added during an interview on Al Arabiya Channel within its sport news bulletin, that after the World Cup, Qatar has gained a level of maturity and experience that enabled it to host this event with such magnificence and organize a splendid opening ceremony. He noted that the fans' turnout during the opening ceremony was impressive.
Former Omani footballer Abdullah Kamouna said that Qatar is not only an icon for the Gulf and Arab countries but has become a global icon in hosting and organizing major sport events.
He added, in an interview on Saudi Sports Channel in Souq Waqif, that the opening of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar was highly distinctive, showcasing attention to Arab, Gulf, and Asian heritage, along with Qataris expressing their strong support for their Palestinian brothers during the event.
He believed that the tournament strengthened a sense of solidarity among Gulf and Arab peoples, as they mingled outside the stadiums and in tourist spots like Souq Waqif and Katara.
As part of its coverage of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, Abu Dhabi Sports TV highlighted the events and pavilions of the Doha Expo 2023. A report included in (Doha Asia) program, noted that entering the Doha Expo is incomplete without passing through Qatar's pavilion, the host country, which presents a model inspired by Ras Abrouq and combines Qatari heritage with contemporary design.
Al Iraqiya news channel dedicated an episode of its program 'Aswat Asia' to cover the festive atmosphere in Souq Waqif and its significant landmarks in conjunction with the launch of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 . The TV correspondent Anmar Abdulaziz toured the Souq which is frequented by many tourists and fans from various nationalities to watch the Asian Cup matches. He said that this market has a history dating back hundreds of years and has witnessed the development that Qatar has undergone.
He conveyed the opinions of Arab fans who came to Qatar to watch the tournament and explored Souq Waqif's features. They unanimously agreed that this market should be on the list of must-visit places, enjoying its diverse options of restaurants, cafes, and shops, confirming that it contributes to promoting Qatar's image and its authentic heritage.
For his part, Kuwaiti author Badr Abdullah Al-Modaires expressed his happiness in an article in Al Watan Kuwaiti newspaper that this Asian tournament is taking place in the sisterly State of Qatar on its sports fields that hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022, which dazzled the world with legendary preparation beyond imagination. (QNA)
