Qatar’s ambassador to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani has held a reception in the French city of Cannes on the occasion of Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, and to strengthen ties of friendship and co-operation with various French regions.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent officials in Cannes, and a group of French personalities representing culture, arts, sports and performing arts sectors.
During the function, the models of the eight Qatari stadiums designated to host the 2022 World Cup were displayed.
In a speech during the ceremony, the ambassador explained the most prominent engineering and technical characteristics of these stadiums and how they evoke the multiple aspects of Qatari culture by mixing traditional Arab heritage and modernity.
He pointed to the various technologies used in the construction of these stadiums, which make most of them eco-friendly. Most of the stadiums relied on the technology of creating innovative units so that their upper layers are removed after the matches and offered later to developing countries lacking infrastructure.
The ambassador stressed that offering stadiums to developing countries is an integral aspect of Qatar hosting this important sporting event, and it would help to develop football on the international stage.
He also referred to the metro network that Qatar is building to facilitate access to all stadiums.
The ambassador emphasised the growing role that Qatar devotes to sports, and the efforts aimed at highlighting the sports sector from a cultural and scientific perspective – thus the social, economic, technical and artistic stakes in this sector.
French officials, who attended the function, expressed their admiration at these stadiums, as they reflect the rich diversity that enriches the society in Qatar and how they emulate the overall dimension of the World Cup as a platform for exchanging cultures from different countries all over the world.
They pointed out that these stadiums, with their characteristics inspired by the Qatari and Arab culture, are in harmony with the components of football and will leave a sustainable legacy.