India has become a huge market: Qatar 2022 CEO
The Hindu
Qatar 2022 CEO Al-Khater credits ISL for the change
Qatar 2022 CEO Nasser Al-Khater on Thursday said Indian sports aficionados are slowly looking beyond cricket and have developed an interest in football, thanks to the Indian Super League (ISL).
“India has become a huge football market with the coming of the [Indian] Super League. They were a lot more interested in cricket but there is a growing liking for football now,” Al-Khater told select media.
Al-Khater, also the Assistant Secretary General, Tournament Operations with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, is confident the West Asian nation will see a massive influx from India during the FIFA World Cup next year. “It is hard to put a number on how many people will come to the World Cup from India. But having attended the U-17 World Cup in 2017 and seen the popularity of football among people there, I can assure you the interest will be huge,” he said.
Arsenal strengthens Premier League lead as Chelsea falters at Leeds; Aston Villa secures thrilling win against Brighton.
Explore Virat Kohli's passion and drive as he defies retirement labels, showcasing brilliance in ODI cricket.
Baroda triumphs over Gujarat with Hardik Pandya's stellar return, while Abhishek Sharma excels in Punjab's win against Pondicherry.
Kerala pulls off a heist as star-studded Mumbai implodes
India faces a confident Belgium in a high-stakes hockey quarterfinal, promising an intense showdown of skill and strategy.
Kush Maini will test a modern Formula 1 car at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2025.
Explore Germany's innovative shared leadership model in field hockey as co-coaches guide the junior men's team at the World Cup.
Shahrukh Khan dropped from Tamil Nadu squad amid poor performance in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as team struggles.
Three-year-old Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha becomes the youngest player to earn a FIDE rating, achieving a rapid rating of 1,572.
AITA reappoints Rohit Rajpal as Davis Cup captain until December 2026, ensuring leadership continuity for crucial upcoming matches.
IND vs SA 2nd ODI: ‘You dream of moments like these,’ says centurion Gaikwad on big stand with Kohli
Ruturaj Gaikwad reflects on his maiden ODI century and partnership with Kohli in India's thrilling 2nd ODI against South Africa.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya vows to resolve the crisis in Indian football after meetings with key stakeholders in New Delhi.
Josh Inglis is likely to replace Usman Khawaja in Australia's lineup as Cummins' potential return looms ahead of the second Ashes Test.