Best Buddies global ambassador and five-time American football super bowl champion Tom Brady joined the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Qatar Museums (QM) and Best Buddies Qatar participants on Sunday in launching a partnership aimed at incorporating persons with disabilities in the organisation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
QM chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani graced the event, which saw members of Best Buddies Qatar and the local community taking part in sport-based activities at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
The new partnership also aims to involve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the development of the country’s museums and cultural heritage sector, a statement said.
SC will tap 20 members of Best Buddies Qatar who will undergo a series of trainings to further enhance their leadership and professional skills under its Tamkeen inclusivity initiative.
The partnership also includes integrating these individuals into QM’s operations and programmes, the statement added.
“Brady has served as an exemplary global ambassador for Best Buddies since 2003, and has helped bring an even greater awareness to the infinite abilities people with IDDs possess,” Best Buddies International founder, chairman and CEO Anthony K Shriver said.
“Brady has proven himself to be a committed advocate for individuals with disabilities, always going above and beyond the call of duty to help promote a world of inclusion and opportunity for this population,” he added. “Brady’s work in Qatar on behalf of Best Buddies will change lives for the better.”
Best Buddies Qatar, established in 2008 as a special project (under umbrella of Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities) of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Education Above All Foundation, is a governmental non-profitable organisation aimed at enhancing life of people with and without intellectual disabilities through social integration.
Nasser al-Khater, SC assistant secretary general for Tournament Affairs, said such an agreement between SC, QM and Best Buddies further demonstrates SC’s vision of promoting diversity and inclusion in the FIFA 2022 World Cup, similar to that of Best Buddies’ vision.
“Our commitment with Best Buddies to include individuals with IDDs into the hosting of the tournament will help participants integrate with Qatar’s diverse communities and make new friends,” he added. “They will also meet the travelling fans we expect in 2022, helping build their confidence and most importantly give them a sense of independence.”
Al-Khater stressed that the initiative forms part of a number of programmes SC had launched, aimed at ensuring the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is the most inclusive edition of the tournament, “and that it leaves a social legacy and impact in Qatar and the region long after the last ball has been kicked in 2022.”
