Qatar ready to present its sporting metamorphosis to the world

DOHA: Qatar has spared no effort in its endeavour to bring about a radical transformation in its out

Qatar has spared no effort in its endeavour to bring about a radical transformation in its outlook and identity. The oil-rich peninsular nation in the Persian Gulf has drawn on its vast resources to build up its sports infrastructure to a magnitude very few countries can match.

The FIFA World Cup — November 20-December 18 — will bear testimony to this metamorphosis as the cherubic mascot La Eeb, which means super-skilled player in Arabic, welcomes more than a million fans from across the globe.

The dress rehearsal for football’s biggest event was held recently in the form of the Lusail Super Cup. The Super Cup was a one-off match between the top teams of Saudi Arabia and Egypt — Al Hilal SFC and Zamalek SC — that put to the test all factors related to the successful organisation of the World Cup.

The Lusail Stadium will host the most number of matches (10), including the final, and proved its merit with most modern and impressive facilities.

The stadium can accommodate 80,000 spectators and looks beautiful with its interplay of light and shadow characterising the ‘fanar’ lantern. Its shape echoes the decorative motifs that reflect the craftsmanship of the Arab and Islamic worlds.

What makes the Lusail Stadium more attractive are the technological features. It has a roof made of PTFE that protects the venue from hot winds, keeps out dust and allows in enough light for the turf to grow while providing shade to reduce the burden on the stadium’s air-conditioning.

The air-conditioning also stood the test of making the Super Cup match a pleasurable experience for the 77,575 spectators. In the end, Al Hilal’s 4-1 win via tie-breaker brought cheer to the Saudi Arabian supporters who came in large numbers from across the border.