A tech startup from Australia has praised the various initiatives that Qatar is implementing for the development and growth of its sports industry.
“From a government level, Qatar’s investments and commitment to build its sports industry is unparalleled, said Tobias Cross, co-founder and sales & customer relations of Chant Unite.
Chant Unite is an Australian tech startup, which is being accelerated at Qatar SportsTech (QST). Using an App, Chant Unite provides fans with a countdown timer and the words to every chant so that anyone, anywhere in the stadium can support their team. Clubs can control what chants go on the App, Cross explained.
“Compared to my experiences in other countries, I’ve never seen such a campaign and initiative to encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle through various sports activities, which is an essential element in the growth of a sports business,” Cross told Gulf Times, referring to Qatar’s annual celebration of National Sport Day (NSD).
During last month’s NSD celebration, Chant Unite and three international and local startups that are also under the QST umbrella engaged with the public to showcase their innovative products and services.
According to Cross, fans struggle to organise chants that can include the whole stadium; fans either don't know when to start chanting or what to chant. Teams struggle with fan clubs often chanting inappropriate songs, he said.
“Our Apps use the latest software design practices for Android and Apple. The servers implement Amazon Website Services to provide a minimal delay between notifications across different platforms,” said Cross, who was able to interact and present the features of Chant Unite with many people during NSD.
On a similar note, Mark Engelhardt, the CEO and co-founder of Hallidai, another tech startup under QST, said Qatar has the potential to become a major Esports hub, as well as a strategic logistics centre for Esports.
According to Engelhardt, Qatar has forged different partnerships with major international firms. He also noted that the massive infrastructure development being undertaken across the country would benefit many gamers or “digital athletes.”
He said discussions with QST and Qatari officials who are into Esports showed that Qatar is looking to become a major Esports hub and could connect Europe and Asia, and "perhaps even the US.” Citing the Qatar’s geographical location, Engelhardt said the country “could be a good logistics centre for Esports, as well.”
Earlier, QST programme director Heba Q al-Masri said Qatar is on track in terms of its preparations to transform the country into a leading sports destination in the region.
“Qatar is growing, and the government is attracting the right partners, as well as the right entities and companies from abroad... everything is on track, considering that the infrastructure and the stadiums related to Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup are up and coming; and these projects are being delivered on schedule. The government is going on the right direction,” she said.
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