More than 1mn people engaged with Qatar’s Russia 2018 activities as the next FIFA World Cup host nation said ‘See You in 2022’, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) said Tuesday.
The SC partnered with a range of Qatari stakeholders to launch creative campaigns in Doha, Moscow and Saint Petersburg in order to showcase the country as a thriving sporting and cultural destination.
The activations, including Majlis Qatar, Qatar Elements, the Qatar @roadto2022 Exhibition and Qatar-Russia Portals, offered people a glimpse of the tournament Qatar will organise in just over four years’ time – namely one that is compact, family-friendly and welcoming to all.
Majlis Qatar, the SC’s showpiece installation in Gorky Park, Moscow, attracted more than 48,000 visitors during its eight-day run, according to a report on sc.qa. It showcased Arab hospitality and offered a taste of the atmosphere fans can expect in 2022.
A short walk from Majlis Qatar was Qatar Elements – the world’s first floating multimedia museum, which took fans on an immersive journey through Qatar’s history, culture and traditions. This attracted more than 13,000 visitors.
More than 750,000 people passed through the Qatar @roadto2022 Exhibition in Moscow’s famous GUM department store. The exhibition highlighted Qatar’s passion for football while showcasing FIFA World Cup memorabilia, including match-worn shirts from legends such as Pelé, Diego Maradona and SC ambassador, Xavi Hernández.
Further, the Qatar-Russia Portals attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors thanks to their strategic positions in Doha, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the SC said.
In Qatar, meanwhile, more than 148,000 fans attended the SC’s Russia 2018 fan zones at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Katara and Hamad International Airport.
Fatma al-Nuaimi, the SC’s communications director, said: “We are delighted with the reaction to our activities, along with the outstanding attendance figures.
“Alongside our stakeholders, we worked very hard to ensure as many people as possible were able to see a glimpse of what Qatar has to offer in 2022. With more than a million people enjoying the opportunities and experiences, it’s safe to say the outreach was a resounding success.”
Al-Nuaimi continued, “Russia hosted a memorable tournament and we look forward to building on this legacy by hosting a truly unique World Cup in four years’ time.
“Over the past month, we have told fans we’ll see you in 2022. Thanks to our activities in Doha, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, I’m especially confident we’ll see many fans again when Qatar hosts the first World Cup in the region.”
In addition to the activations in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, more than 180 SC employees and stakeholders travelled to Russia to take active roles in observation, secondment and shadowing programmes.
