Sport
Qatar residents get chance to race against Robbie Fowler
Qatar residents get chance to race against Robbie Fowler
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Qatari residents will have a unique opportunity to race against former English footballer Robbie Fowler in the Standard Chartered 10km Race at Aspire Zone on Saturday, it was revealed yesterday. |
Addressing a press conference Liverpool legend Fowler said, “I’m excited about taking part in the Leaders’ Race with Standard Chartered Bank. During my visit I will also be taking part in coaching sessions that will be delivered by the Liverpool FC Foundation, giving children the chance to play football the Liverpool way and be a part of the continued sporting vision of the country”.
Catering to all fitness levels, the event will feature three distances, 10km, 3km, and a 1km race entitled ‘The Leaders Run’ and given Standard Chartered’s expertise with races and marathons in several countries, this event is expected to draw keen participation from both professional and leisure runners from Qatar and across the region.
Speaking at the occasion, Standard Chartered Bank CEO Charles Carlson said: “Standard Chartered’s partnership with Liverpool Football Club is more than a sponsorship. Since the time we signed up as shirt sponsors, we have worked closely with the club to bring football to the community and engage with sports lovers through various outreach programmes.”
He added: “We do a lot with the Liverpool Foundation and here we are doing a little bit of programme for some schools and which is leading up to the race at the Aspire. We are doing a race and are really excited about it. We have got 650 runners which is great for the first time and this is the first race that is professionally organised in Qatar. It will be an exciting week for us. It is good fun as it is about community development.”
Liverpool Foundation’s international activity manager Forbes Duff, who was also present at the occasion said, “Qatar has been amazing. We have never experienced as warm a reception as we have here as well as the level of engagement from all individuals we trained.”
On the chances of Liverpool going on the top in the Premier League Fowler said, “The team is doing good… but the ideal situation will be for Liverpool to finish among the top four in the English Premier League and book a place in next year’s Champions League.”
Giving his view over the date of Qatar World Cup he said, “January will be an ideal month to have the World Cup here. I have been a frequent visitor to this Middle East region, not Qatar, but to Dubai also and it will perfect time for the World Cup.”