Qatar

The competitions of the 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023) started Sunday and will continue until January 28 at Sbkhat Marmi at the Sealine Area.The festival, organised by Al Qannas Qatari Society, is being held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani. Local and international falconers are taking part in the competitions with some of them already established stars in the field and others aspiring to become prominent falconers.The festival aims at further establishing the heritage of falconry in the country, which has been considered as part of intangible cultural heritage of the UNESCO since 2010. Qatar is considered among the pioneer countries in the region that has been exerting great efforts to maintain this international heritage not only in Qatar but throughout various Arab and world countries. Marmi is considered among the largest specialised festivals in the field of falcons and hunting and enjoys great international attention.Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Ali, head of Al Tala'a (release of the falcons to hunt) Committee, explained that the rules and laws of the championship for this category remained unchanged from the previous edition. The distance between the place where the release of the falcons and the place of the release of the bustard bird (houbara) is estimated to be around 2 km and 1,900- 1,800 metres long according to the direction taken by the houbara, whether east or west. He expects that the strong falcons that have established their place over the past championships would qualify at this round. This category of the competition was carried out Sunday morning.In the afternoon, Haddad Al Tahadi competitions (where the falcon has to hunt a homing pigeon within certain standards) were carried out with wider participation from different Arab and GCC countries besides the local participants. The audience also expressed their joy and happiness at the powerful and exciting competitions. Those qualifying for the final at this category of competitions win a prize of QR100,00 while the ultimate winner is awarded a Lexus vehicle.Ali Sultan Nasser al-Humaidi, head of Haddad Al Tahadi Committee, said that there are 1,000 falcons that have registered for this category of the competition and they are all fully ready.In the meantime, the participants expressed their appreciation for the organising committee for the excellent services and facilities that made the festival such a big success with a considerable popular turnout.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-operation with Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co WLL, the exclusive distributor of Lexus vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of 2012-2018 Lexus IS350, GS350, IS250, GS250, & GS450h vehicles, due to a possible crack in the fuel tank vent tube that causes a leak. The ministry said the recall campaign came within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. The ministry said that it would co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and would communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs were carried out. The ministry urges all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and suggestions through the following channels: call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, MoCI mobile app for android and iOS: MOCIQATAR.

The General Cleanness Department has carried out a cleaning campaign at the Sealine Area in co-operation with Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Trading Company with the participation of 35 people. Around 500kg of various solid waste materials, including boxes and plastic bags, were removed in addition to 200kg of wooden pieces.

The Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation (QCSF) has announced its slogan “Sport inspires Education” which shows the harmonic relation and common vision between the QCSF and high education institutions in their enduring quest to organise several sport and social activities over the next stage.The slogan launching step came out of the vision of the QCSF officials and some representatives of high education institutions, including universities, academics, colleges, and high institutes. 'Sport inspires Education' is a perfect slogan that will strengthen the co-operation between the two sectors.This announcement has come to complete the QCSF founding measures, as the federation had already unveiled its message, vision and goals in August. The QCSF objective is to develop sport and physical activities at the higher education institutions in a way that could significantly strengthen the sport culture and encourage society, individuals and higher education students to engage in sports day in and day out.QCSF is an entity that acts as a complementary level to these sport activities organised at earlier learning stages. This federation will spare no effort to support the most talented students, develop their sport and physical skills and show Qatar’s legacy and culture as a sport loving nation.QCSF president Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Naimi said: "We are truly happy and proud to take this slogan “Sport inspires Education" for our federation, because we always seek to invest in our national sport talents to take our unique sport movement to a new professional level.”“Sport will continue playing a key role in Qatar 2030 National Vision, we aspire to see Qatar having a leading global sport status by bringing the world together throughout sustainable sport development,” added Dr al-Naimi.QCSF secretary general, Rashid Adiba said: “We are grateful for this close co-operation with the high education institutions, who are leaving no stone unturned to support our vision, message, objectives and slogan.”“Together, we will keep working hard to build up a better future of sport and education that is brighter and stronger for generations to come,” Adiba said.

Experts in voluntary work underlined the importance of promoting and advocating for volunteering and charitable works, owing to their role in supporting the communities and reducing the burdens besetting them, as well as recognising volunteers' contribution worldwide in boosting co-operation among individuals to support various communities.This came during the celebration of Pioneers for Voluntary Work that was held on Saturday to mark the International Volunteer Day which falls on December 5 each year under the slogan: "Together, act now".The event took place at the Scout and Guide Association of Qatar (QSGA) in the presence of its Commissioner-General Jassim Mohamed al-Hardan, along with several entities concerned with the philanthropic and voluntary work.President of the Pioneers for Voluntary Work and President of the Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities (AFVA) Dr Yousef Ali al-Kathim said that the celebration of this day comes in appreciation of the efforts made by the volunteers worldwide and services provided by them, expressing his pride in the volunteers who have harnessed their time to become a beacon of hope and love among the people.In his inaugural address, Dr al-Kathim pointed out that the volunteers' efforts and their participation during the events of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were commended by all guests of the country owing to the premium level of performance and good behaviour during the World Cup, which reflected a bright image of the sons and daughters of Qatar.He said that his pride in the efforts of the volunteers is not because they are the sons and daughters of Qatar, but because of their distinguished effort through which QSGA came at the forefront of the volunteering institutions at the gulf, Arab and international levels, extending his thanks and gratitude to all Qatari institutions, individuals and the residents who offered their potential and services in support of the process of the volunteering work.Dr al-Kathim indicated that the volunteering work has become a fundamental partner in assessing the performance of the entities and institutions operating in the fields of health, sports, environment, education and culture, etc., lauding the volunteers' keenness to move forward in their work and dedication and innovate the initiatives and volunteering projects.He noted that the "Retired Volunteer" project has been rolled out to capitalise on his long expertise in various scientific and vocational levels in the service of the community, thanking the engagement of all supporting entities, including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, represented by QSGA for the unlimited moral and physical support they have been providing, as well as the expertise that contributes to supporting and developing their work.During the ceremony, the volunteers were honoured for their enormous efforts and evident imprint during their engagement in various volunteering activities, including the efforts they made during the events of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament, along with their social and volunteering engagements in health, culture and education.For their part, honoured volunteers extended their utmost thanks and appreciation for this kind gesture that reflects the keenness of the organisers of the volunteering and philanthropic works, including their interest in the efforts of volunteers and their services, and cherishing their dedication in supporting the social work, emphasising that such honoring ceremony represents a catalyst for the continuation of giving and excellence in various volunteering and beneficial initiatives and projects.

With FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 coming to a spectacular and stunning close, a special programme set up in connection with the successful bid of the tournament is leaving a lasting legacy for the entire globe.Generation Amazing, launched in 2010 by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) as part of Qatar’s bid for the FIFA World Cup 2022, has now been turned into a foundation to continue its activities in different parts of the world.“Generation Amazing is now officially a foundation that will continue to empower and unlock human potential and will cement its role as a centre for youth excellence and leadership around the world for many years to come,” HE Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary-general, SC announced at a programme prior to the World Cup in Qatar.“When we host the final match at Lusail Stadium and when the last ball is kicked and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 champion is crowned, that will be the final day of World Cup 2022. However, it will serve as a launch pad for Generation Amazing legacy. Your inspiring stories will continue to be written over the coming years and decades,” al-Thawadi had told the Generation Amazing team at the event.Generation Amazing’s football for development outreach and education programmes help support vulnerable and displaced people. The goal is to empower new generations of young leaders to transform their communities and generate positive social development through the creation of sustainable programmes.Over 1mn people in more than 35 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas have already benefitted from the programmes.Generation Amazing has established long-term partnerships with FIFA Foundation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Education Above All, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and CONCACAF, football’s governing body for North, Central America and the Caribbean. Generation Amazing has also built more than 30 football pitches for under-privileged communities across the Middle East and Asia over the past 10 years.Beyond 2022, Generation Amazing Foundation will continue to use sports as a tool for lasting social change with the vision to use football to transfer skills that empower a generation of change makers and their communities. It aims to inspire a generation of young people active in their support for less privileged communities around the world.“By using the power of football, participants in our programmes learn key life skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication, to address social issues in the places they live,” said Nasser al-Khori, executive director, Generation Amazing Foundation. “With the support of our partners, Generation Amazing is making an important global contribution and working hard to leverage Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup.”Generation Amazing Community Clubs are active in four countries and helping people to organise social events, learn key skills and develop community spirit. Community clubs were first established in India and the Philippines in 2020 before new facilities were launched in Qatar and Rwanda earlier this year. Activities delivered as part of the Generation Amazing programme teach sporting values and essential life skills. All the programmes adhere to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.In 2020, Generation Amazing created the first Generation Amazing Community Clubs (GACCs), starting with projects in Tacloban (the Philippines) and Rurka Kalan (India). A safe place to gather, learn and play, the Community Club model is designed to complement and build upon the successes of the Generation Amazing football for development programme in line with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.In 2022, Generation Amazing launched two GACCs in Qatar, one at the Temporary Afghan Evacuee Camp and the other in Lusail.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies will hold the IIAS-SEAPP Doha Conference 2023 next month. Co-organised by the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and the School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy (SEAPP) at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, the conference will be a unique opportunity for exchanging experiences, sharing knowledge, and fostering government action to address complex policy dilemmas and constraints.In the last 15 years, governments faced big challenges, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. They also made major strategic commitments to delivering the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, there is still a long path towards a version of development that delivers sustainable economic growth that is good for citizens and good for the planet.With the theme “Developmental States and Professionalisation of Public Administration and Public Policy”, the conference organisers ask whether developmental states can contribute to holistic development in the 21st century the same way they did to economic development in the 20th century. Additionally, with the alternative model being the neo-liberal state, the conference indirectly questions the Western dominance in development policies and public administration.

Italy has become the 37th country to confirm the participation in the first A1 horticultural exhibition in the Middle East to be held later this year.Taking place between October 2, 2023, and March 28, 2024, Expo 2023 Doha will take place in the heart of Doha in Al Bidda Park, welcoming citizens and residents of Qatar, as well as international visitors and high-level participants.Expo 2023 Doha team reached an important milestone by confirming the Italian participation in the Expo after the meeting between Italian ambassador Paolo Toschi, the head of Italian Trade Commission to Qatar and Bahrain, Paola Lisi, and Expo 2023 Doha commissioner general, Bader al-Dafa.One of the global manufacturing leaders and pioneers of international co-operation regarding global nutrition issues, Italy is also at the forefront of the modern 4.0 agricultural technology, including drones, sensors, Internet of Things, Big Data and artificial intelligence that will be showcased at the expo's Italian pavilion. The new Italian agricultural mechanics pursue the strategic mission of reconciling maximum productivity with environmental protection and making farming possible in every climatic and environmental context, through increasingly up-to-date and high-performance technologies.“Italy and Qatar are long-time partners in multiple and strategic sectors, including sustainability and technological innovation. We are honoured to take part in Expo 2023 Doha – an opportunity for us to continue improving our joint capabilities in fighting desertification, bringing sustainable changes in the production processes, and boosting food security on a global level,” ambassador Toschi said.The expo will also allow countries and regions to engage in productive dialogue and find common solutions to the most pressing environmental and agricultural problems. “In fields like sustainable development, food security and fight against climate change and desertification, we believe that only by sharing our knowledge and our expertise in multilateral fora will we be able to obtain game-changing results. Expo Doha 2023 reflects this approach, and we believe that the partnerships that we consolidate with the public and private sectors during the exhibition will greatly benefit all parties,” Lisi noted.Revolving around four key themes – modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainability, the expo will be an important platform for international co-operation, shaping solutions, policies and international agreements that will influence agricultural and horticultural sectors of tomorrow.“We are pleased to host our Italian partners at the Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar. Italy is incontestably one of the countries that pioneers innovation in modern agriculture and wider sustainability sphere with state-of-the-art technologies. Italian participation will be valuable for the Expo, enabling the participants to learn from Italian experience and form impactful partnerships,” added al-Dafa.Dedicated to modern agriculture, the Italian pavilion will be constructed with ecological materials and surrounded by a garden showcasing aquaponics and hydroponic cultivation areas, vertical and horizontal cultivation systems, as well as other top-notch agricultural methods and technologies.

Qatar Charity (QC), through its ‘Qatar Relief Convoys’, has started to distribute aid to refugees and underprivileged families, suffering from severe cold, rain, and snow in the camps of Arsal, Beqaa, and Akkar in Lebanon. The aid comes as part of the charity’s ‘Warm Hearts’ winter campaign.Qatar Charity teams are expected to distribute the aid to those most in need in other countries, including Lebanon, during the next few days, intending to alleviate their suffering and contribute to meeting their winter needs (shelter, food, fuel, and health supplies).“Some 250 ‘Qatar Relief Convoys’ target nearly half a million refugees, internally displaced persons ( IDPs), and underprivileged families in six countries, which are Lebanon, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Syria, and Yemen,” said Khalid Abdulla Alyafei, director, Emergency Relief Department at Qatar Charity.He added that the aid includes food packages and winter supplies such as warm clothes, blankets, mattresses, heaters, and fuel, in addition to building infrastructure for the Akkar camp and restoring more than 200 tents.As the refugees and poor families are experiencing very challenging situations due to the remarkably low temperatures in winter, Qatar Charity urges philanthropists in Qatar to donate and support these convoys to maximise the number of beneficiaries.A benefactor can sponsor an entire convoy, either in his/her name or in the name of his/her beloved ones, with a sum of QR100,000, or can donate QR300 for a share. People can contribute through Qatar Charity’s website, app, branches, and collection points across the country, in addition to dialing 44290000 for donating.‘Warm Hearts’, the 2022-2023 winter campaign, aims to deliver aid worth QR80mn to more than 1.2mn people, including IDPs, refugees, and underprivileged families, in 15 countries across the globe.

The sun peeking out of an overcast sky on the first day of the new year. A view from Al Wakrah shot by Gulf Times photographer Shaji Kayamkulam.

Qatar's maritime sector witnessed a stupendous 86% year-on-year surge in cargo through its Hamad, Doha and Al Ruwais ports in December 2022 as the country successfully hosted the FIFA World Cup.The three ports saw 5% more vessel calls on an annualised basis and the livestock handled through these ports registered more than 98% increase in the review period, said Mwani Qatar.The number of ships calling on Qatar's three ports stood at 267 in December 2022, which grew 4.71% year-on-year but was down 0.74% month-on-month.As many as 3.031 ships had called on three ports in 2022, which was 10% lower than those in 2021.Hamad Port – whose strategic geographical location offers opportunities to create cargo movement towards the upper Gulf, supporting countries such as Kuwait and Iraq and south towards Oman – saw as many as 148 vessels call on the port in the review period. The port saw a total of 1,569 vessels for the whole of 2022.The general cargo handled through the three ports was 140,601 tonnes in December 2022, which showed an 86.04% annual decline although it fell 1.46% month-on-month in the review period.Hamad Port – whose multi-use terminal is designed to serve the supply chains for the RORO (vehicles), grains and livestock – handled 55,125 freight tonnes (F/T) of bulk and 74,517F/T of breakbulk in December last year.The Hamad Port was seen handling 520,324F/T of bulk and 983,033F/T of break-bulk in 2022. On a cumulative basis, the general cargo movement through the three ports totalled 1.6mn tonnes during January-December 2022, which registered a 2% decline on an annualised basis.The three ports had handled 38,867 livestock in December 2022, which almost doubled on a yearly basis and more than doubled on monthly basis.Hamad Port was seen handling 1,317 livestock in December and a total of 45,808 head for the whole of 2022. The three ports together handled 205,608 livestock for January-December 2022, which fell 38.21% year-on-year.The container handling through three ports stood at 128,688 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), which fell 2.02% year-on-year but shot up 10.97% in December 2022.Hamad Port, which is the largest eco-friendly project in the region and internationally recognised as one of the largest green ports in the world, saw 127,770 TEUs of containers handled in December 2022. The port was seen handling a total of 1.41mn TEUs in 2022.The container handling through the three ports fell 8.28% year-on-year to 1.44mn TEUs during January-December 2022.The container terminals have been designed to address the increasing trade volume, enhancing ease of doing business as well as supporting the achievement of economic diversification, which is one of the most important goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.The three ports handled 6,263 RORO in December 2022, which registered a 6% and 9.74% decline on yearly and monthly basis respectively.Hamad Port alone handled 6,224 units in December 2022 and a total of 78,588 units for the whole of last year. The three ports together handled as many as 79,401 vehicles during January-December 2022.The building materials traffic through the three ports stood at 45,985 tonnes in December 2022, which tanked 25.58% and 24.86% year-on-year and month-on-month respectively in the review period.A total of 516,839 tonnes of building materials had been handled by these ports in January-December 2022, which shrank 12.76% on an annualised basis.

The healthcare sector in Qatar achieved new heights in 2022 with more sophisticated services and healthcare buildings and facilities, making the health sector in the country among the top rankings in the world.In particular, Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital (AAH) was inaugurated last year. It is equipped with the most sophisticated medical equipment and apparatuses and provides high quality specialised treatment services.According to a report by local Arabic daily Arrayah, the hospital became the second largest hospital in the country under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) after Hamad General Hospital, in size and capacity. It is also considered the most sophisticated regarding equipment and medical apparatuses with a total space of 140,000sq m and a building of 82,000sq m.Last year also witnessed the inauguration of the Umm Al Saneem Primary Care Health Centre that serves the residents of the areas of Ain Khalid, Abu Hamour, Umm Al Saneem, offering them easily accessible primary care health services at a total capacity of 35,000 visitors.Similarly, New Al Khor Primary Care Health Centre was inaugurated replacing the old Al Khor Health Centre. The new centre has more than 50 clinics of family medicine, women and paediatric medicine, chronic diseases and other specialised clinics such as dental, dermatology, ENT and others.Further, Al Mashaf Primary Care Health Centre will respond the increasing demands on health services of the residents of the area while providing them with easily accessible services within their geographical location, especially the inhabitants living South Al Wakra, Al Wakra and Al Mashaf.During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, excellent health services were given to the fans and the guests of Qatar with more than 100 clinics at the stadiums, fan zones and their residences and stay places. Besides, 110 ambulances, and 212 mobile medical units were deployed. All such facilities were powered by the efforts of 2,275 employees in the health sector. Further, four hospitals under HMC were dedicated to address non-emergency cases during the tournament.Meanwhile, the number of health facilities across the private sector has risen considerably amounting to 10 private hospitals, 19 outpatient surgery centres, and 390 general and specialised health centres including the dental clinics, in addition to 31 centres for radiography and medical laboratories, and other diagnostic facilities.The number of health workers at both the private and public facilities rose from 20,682 employees in 2010 to currently around 46,371.

The Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) announced that it handled over 140000 tons of cargo in December 2022, registering a YoY growth of 86 percent compared to December 2021.In a tweet, Mwani Qatar said that it had received 267 cruises last December, with an increase of 5 percent, compared to the same period last year. It pointed out that 6,263 vehicles and equipment, along with 38,867 heads of cattle and 45,985 tons of building and construction materials were received.

The country is expected to be affected by rainy conditions varying in intensity during intermittent periods from Monday, January 2nd, until the end of this week, the Department of Meteorology said in a tweet Sunday. The rain can turn into thundershowers at times, the Met Department added.The light to moderate wind during the period will be mainly Northwesterly-Northeasterly that can become strong with thundery rain.The maximum temperatures will range from 20-24 °C and the minimum from 14-17 °C and may become even less at Southeren and external areas.The Meteorological Department urged all to depend on official sources only for weather information and to ignore rumors and information from unofficial social media accounts.

Qatar Customs thwarted an attempt to smuggle a gun inside the country. Qatar Customs tweeted that the Land Customs Administration had foiled the smuggling of a gun, which was found under the driver's seat along with an empty magazine and a box containing 50 bullets.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent on Sunday a cable of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel on the occasion of the Triumph of the Revolution Day.

Weather inshore until 6 pm on Sunday will be hazy at first, mild to relatively cold daytime with scattered clouds and cold by night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report.Offshore will be partly cloudy at times with chance of scattered rain, the report added, warning of expected strong wind and high sea.Wind inshore will be northwesterly 06 to 16 knot gusting to 23 knot at places daytime.Offshore, it will be northwesterly 13 to 20 knot reaches 27 knot at times.Visibility will be 4 to 8 kilometre.Sea state inshore will be 2 to 4 feet rises to 5 feet at times. Offshore it will be 3 to 6 feet rises to 8 feet at times.

The Admissions Department at Qatar University (QU) has announced the opening of admission applications for the graduate programmes for the Fall 2023 semester from January 8 until February 16 through its official website (www.qu.edu.qa) Admission decisions will be announced on June 1, 2023.Admission into QU depends on the principle of competition between applicants who have met the minimum requirements. Students are accepted as per the capacity of each individual programme and the related admission requirements.Candidates may apply for graduate studies in one of 63 offered programmes for the Fall 2023 semester including all the PhD and Master’s programmes in the College of Engineering, PhD in the Business Administration programme and all Master’s programmes in the College of Business and Economics, all the Master’s and Diploma programmes in the College of Education (Diploma of Early Childhood is available only in Early Childhood Teachers), the PhD programme in Sharia and all the Master’s programmes in the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, all the PhD, Master’s and certificates programmes in the College of Arts and Sciences, the PhD in Law and all the Master’s programmes in the College of Law, all the PhD programmes and the master and certificate programmes in the QU Health, Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science in Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy and all the Master’s and certificates programmes in the College of Health Sciences.Students can track their admission application status by visiting the online admission application page, through user name and password. Applicants are advised to read all the requirements needed for each programme on the University’s website at www.qu.edu.qa/apply where they are required to fill an online application and attach all official documents before the deadline.The starting of classes for the Fall 2023 semester will be on August 20. All applicants who have inquiries about admission to graduate programmes at QU are encouraged to contact the Student Call Centre at 44034444 or through the email [email protected].

Rain is likely in Doha during the second week of January, the Met Office said Saturday in its climate information summary for the month. The second month of winter, January, is the coldest month of the year. Cold fronts are common during this month, with frequent low pressure systems, usually accompanied with thunderstorms.Climate records show frequent fog cases, especially in the first half of the month. The daily mean temperature is expected to be 17.7C. The lowest recorded temperature during January is 3.8C in 1964 and the highest recorded temperature 32.4C in 2015, the summary added. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in Qatar Saturday were 15C and 23C, respectively. The forecast for Sunday is 15C and 22C, respectively.

Ooredoo, Official Middle East & Africa Telecommunications Operator of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, has announced the successful provision of the event-critical Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) services it provided as part of its ongoing support for the recent tournament. TETRA is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver, providing highly resilient voice and data services. Built upon the existing country-wide TETRA infrastructure set up by Ooredoo, the service facilitated communication across many of the elements of the World Cup organisation, becoming integral to its success.Stadiums, key control centres, and other venues were kitted out with equipment allowing dedicated talk groups for functions such as security, management and ticketing to benefit from independent communication, as well as operations talk groups, which allowed effective co-ordination between all the major components of the operation.In total, more than 8,000 secure TETRA radio connections were provided that covered communication between different teams in multiple facilities, such as the eight tournament stadiums, three non-competition venues, including the International Broadcast Centre, which served as the backbone of TV operations for the World Cup, and Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, and 30 additional venues, such as FIFA Fan Festival, Doha Port, Souq Waqif, Corniche, and land border, among others.Thani al-Malki, executive director, Business at Ooredoo, said: “As the only provider capable of offering service and support for TETRA in Qatar, we supplied uninterrupted and hassle-free TETRA Radio service to FIFA. Integral to the smooth operation of this event and others like it, our high-quality service and expert support meant that the organisers could upgrade their world, ensuring peace of mind during the tournament where the drama stayed on the pitch! We hope we set an industry standard for effective support for similar events and industry sectors in the future.”