The two-day Arab-German (AGS) Sports Summit concluded in Berlin yesterday with the participation of prominent political and sports figures, along with participants from several countries from the field of sport, academia, and medicine.
The second and final day of the summit witnessed several seminars and discussion sessions, with the Qatari sport as its main theme, its impact on the global level and the successes it achieved.
Among some of the biggest sporting events that Qatar will host in the future include IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2023 World Swimming Championships.
The crucial role of sports medicine, through Aspetar and Aspire Academy, and their role in the preparation of athletes, was also discussed among other topics related to Qatari sport.
In the presence of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the first session witnessed a number of keynote speakers.
Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary-general Abdulaziz al-Mikhlafi praised the holding of the AGS summit, as well as the presence of HE Sheikh Joaan, which will bring a lot of attention to the summit.
In his speech in the first session, Qatar’s ambassador to Germany HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani pointed to the importance of the AGS summit, saying, “The Germans hosted the World Cup in 2006 meanwhile the Arab world represented by the State of Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022. We all know what sport can do to a society, it is a vehicle for activities and development.
“That’s why today this event, the 1st Arab German Sport Summit, has a great value. When you invest in sport, you invest in the future of your country and the future of your generations.”
He said the countries that invest in sports, witness high levels of development in many areas like infrastructure, including stadiums and sports facilities, roads, airports, hotels, and cultural sites. He added that sport enhances human development in all forms.
For his part, Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany and dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Germany, Dr Mustapha Adib, thanked Sheikh Joaan for attending this summit, noting the importance of Qatar’s role in sport. He pointed out that the world is looking forward to a distinguished edition of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
QOC Secretary-General Jassim al-Buenain gave a special presentation on sports in Qatar during the session entitled “the Olympics and grand championships”. He reviewed Qatar’s sporting achievements and the successes achieved through the belief of the wise leadership in the value of sport and its positive impact on society.
Al-Buenain noted Qatar’s keenness to set international standards for the major sporting events it has organised, including the 2006 Asian Games, 2011 Arab Games, 2015 Handball World Cup and the 2018 World Gymnastics Championships, besides many other sporting programmes, including the Schools Olympic Program.
QOC celebrated its 40th anniversary recently.
Director of Planning and Operations at IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, Fahad Juma, said that the participation in the summit was very fruitful, adding that such platforms help convey clear messages about the Qatari work in sport.
Anti-doping Lab Qatar director general Dr Mohamed al-Maadheed cited international estimates which say that only one percent of the population are professional athletes and 20 percent are amateur, while 79 percent do not exercise. He said that Qatar encourages sport to increase this proportion and integrate those who do not exercise in sports.
Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Director of Health and Safety Abdullah al-Bushri explained Qatar’s preparations the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a panel discussion entitled ‘football and the World Cup 2022 in Qatar’.
Al-Bushri informed the audience about the latest developments at the stadiums, stages of work in each stadium, methods of safety and health, shedding light on the wonderful design of each stadium and its impact on hosting the tournament.
He added that the distance between all the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums do not exceed 55km, and this will give players more rest, while fans will be able to watch more than a game per day.
Khalil al-Jaber, QOC’s Director of the Sports Affairs Department, and President of the 2023 World Swimming Championships in Doha, participated in a seminar titled ‘great sports events and employment opportunities’.
Al-Jaber spoke about the ongoing preparations for the World Swimming Championships, which will be held in Doha in four years’ time. He said that the preparations are being made for the global event that matches the value and reputation of Qatari sport.
Lulwa al-Marri, Chairperson of Qatar Womens Sports Committee, highlighted the reality of women’s sports in Qatar and the level reached during the past years after starting from point zero, adding that in a few years, many successes have been achieved.
Al-Marri’s speech was impressive, especially since participants from Germany, in particular, did not have full knowledge of women’s sport in Qatar.
Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and Qatar’s ambassador to Germany Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani interact at the Arab-German (AGS) Sports Summit in Berlin.
