* Envoy welcomes American golfers John Catlin and Johannes Veerman
The US embassy in Doha is planning to bring an American country singer for a solo concert in the desert, in addition to a wide range of events as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
“We’ve got musical events, many online events, including a cooking event and Arabic and English poetry slam,” US chargé d'affaires ambassador Greta C Holtz told a virtual press briefing Tuesday.
The envoy cited the Year of Culture programme this year and the importance of sports as a vehicle for change in conjunction with Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. She also welcomed two American golfers – John Catlin and Johannes Veerman – who are participating in the tournament.
 John Catlin |
 Johannes Veerman |
Holtz said they want to be more creative in holding events and activities amid a Covid-19 pandemic, following all protocols set by Qatari authorities to ensure the safety of all.
According to Qatar Museums (QM), the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture programme will feature virtual and in-person events, including exhibitions and installations of works by Qatari and American artists; events showcasing the music, film, and fashion of both countries; sporting events; culinary experiences; entrepreneurship, innovation, STEM, business events; and educational programmes.
“We have got music events with the US Air Force Central Command band and the Qatar Symphony Orchestra," Holtz said while recalling the launch event with a Washington Spirit Women’s football team friendly match with the Qatari women’s team.
“We hope to bring them back in the fall and do another friendly match," the US charge d'affaires said. A number of events have to be rescheduled due to the Covid-19 outbreak, “hoping that with the way that Qatar is taking care of the pandemic, we’ll be able to do more.”
Holtz lauded the hosting of various events in Doha, including major sports competitions, saying organisers are doing a good job of trying to keep them open but Covid-safe.
She noted that golf tournament forms part of Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, which marks the long standing relationship between the two countries and highlights the rich diversity of their people and culture.
“We are super delighted to be working with our premier partners, QM and the Qatar embassy in Washington, as well as many other valued partners throughout the country to engage the people of Qatar to a universal passion for sports,” the envoy said, noting that the US embassy in Doha looks forward to hosting future sports events.
Sharing his participation in the tournament last year in Qatar, Veerman recounted that Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was the last event running normal before the pandemic.
“When I think of Qatar I have this feeling of ‘those are the good old days, spectators all hanging out without masks, and the golf tournament was running normal, and the travels normal,” he said.
Staying for a few more days after the tournament in 2020, Veerman said he experienced Qatar’s warm and friendly culture with friends in Doha.
An alumnus of Texas A&M in the US, he had the chance to visit the campus in Qatar and met with the dean.
“We have so many traditions at A&M, one of the things that we usually do is say ‘howdy,’ we don’t say hello. When I saw howdy written in Arabic on the top of the door in the A&M building here I thought that was so cool,,” Veerman said. “I took a picture of it and send it to my all my friends and they also got a really big kick out of it.”
Catlin echoed his compatriot's view saying the people in Qatar have been very accommodating, and looks forward “to being able to come back when things are a little more normal, and explore and see what the city of Doha and Qatar have to offer.”
About tips to aspiring golfers, Veerman said the opportunity to compete with junior players “in a very synergistic, competitive, and friendly environment” is an advantage. “I think what makes someone great is competition.”
Catlin shares a similar view saying that he had the chance to compete against a lot of junior players during his early years.
“From there I was very lucky to be introduced to some great coaches who put me in the right direction both from the fundamental side, mental side, practice side, and that is where I really fine-tuned my game. I think the fire really started from competing with my friends at a very early age,” he said.
According to Qatar Museums (QM), the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture programme will feature virtual and in-person events, including exhibitions and installations of works by Qatari and American artists; events showcasing the music, film, and fashion of both countries; sporting events; culinary experiences; entrepreneurship, innovation, STEM, business events; and educational programmes.
“We have got music events with the US Air Force Central Command band and the Qatar Symphony Orchestra," Holtz said while recalling the launch event with a Washington Spirit Women’s football team friendly match with the Qatari women’s team.
“We hope to bring them back in the fall and do another friendly match," the US charge d'affaires said. A number of events have to be rescheduled due to the Covid-19 outbreak, “hoping that with the way that Qatar is taking care of the pandemic, we’ll be able to do more.”
Holtz lauded the hosting of various events in Doha, including major sports competitions, saying organisers are doing a good job of trying to keep them open but Covid-safe.
She noted that golf tournament forms part of Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, which marks the long standing relationship between the two countries and highlights the rich diversity of their people and culture.
“We are super delighted to be working with our premier partners, QM and the Qatar embassy in Washington, as well as many other valued partners throughout the country to engage the people of Qatar to a universal passion for sports,” the envoy said, noting that the US embassy in Doha looks forward to hosting future sports events.
Sharing his participation in the tournament last year in Qatar, Veerman recounted that Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was the last event running normal before the pandemic.
“When I think of Qatar I have this feeling of ‘those are the good old days, spectators all hanging out without masks, and the golf tournament was running normal, and the travels normal,” he said.
Staying for a few more days after the tournament in 2020, Veerman said he experienced Qatar’s warm and friendly culture with friends in Doha.
An alumnus of Texas A&M in the US, he had the chance to visit the campus in Qatar and met with the dean.
“We have so many traditions at A&M, one of the things that we usually do is say ‘howdy,’ we don’t say hello. When I saw howdy written in Arabic on the top of the door in the A&M building here I thought that was so cool,,” Veerman said. “I took a picture of it and send it to my all my friends and they also got a really big kick out of it.”
Catlin echoed his compatriot's view saying the people in Qatar have been very accommodating, and looks forward “to being able to come back when things are a little more normal, and explore and see what the city of Doha and Qatar have to offer.”
About tips to aspiring golfers, Veerman said the opportunity to compete with junior players “in a very synergistic, competitive, and friendly environment” is an advantage. “I think what makes someone great is competition.”
Catlin shares a similar view saying that he had the chance to compete against a lot of junior players during his early years.
“From there I was very lucky to be introduced to some great coaches who put me in the right direction both from the fundamental side, mental side, practice side, and that is where I really fine-tuned my game. I think the fire really started from competing with my friends at a very early age,” he said.