Sport in Qatar
[7] In a 2014 survey conducted by Qatari government ministries and departments, 65% of the 1,079 respondents indicated that they did not attend a football match in the previous league season.
[10] Other famous footballers to play in Qatar include Pep Guardiola, Gabriel Batistuta, Fernando Hierro, Ronald de Boer, Santi Cazorla and Marco Verratti.
However, the tournament was announced as one of the most successful editions in history by Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Hassan al-Thawadi.
[2] Beating rival bids from Australia, the United States, South Korea, and Japan, FIFA stated that the Qatari bid ran on a platform of bringing the World Cup to the only part of the world previously excluded from hosting it, donating parts of stadia to under-developed countries in Africa and Asia after the competition finishes, and allowing fans to watch multiple matches in one day and reduce travel expenses by being the most compact tournament to date.
The tournament is expected to generate thousands of jobs, with extensive infrastructure required to prepare the country to host the world's biggest sports games.
Official Qatari sources have estimated that the country will spend US$138 billion, which will include new motorways, a new deep-water port, a metro system as well as nine stadia and an extensive fan zone.
[22] As of summer 2015, major contracts have been awarded to several international companies, including Foster and Partners, WS Atkins, Arup Associates, and Pascall+Watson.
[23] In addition to the awarding of contracts to international companies, the Supreme Committee announced its intention to support entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in the region through the Challenge 22 competition.
[24] To deliver these projects on time the economy and population are expected to double between 2014 and 2022, with the total number of inhabitants due to exceed four million.
The need for new housing has given a boost to the construction and real estate sectors, with growth expected to be 9.5 percent according to the Qatar Statistics Authority.
[26] Ahead of the World Cup, the United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) announced to hold a training camp in Doha in January 2020.
Players like Gyasi Zardes, Jordan Morris, Sebastian Lletget and Aaron Long have been invited to join the camp at Qatar's Aspire Academy.
[29] Shortly after the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar, the bid was embroiled in controversy, including allegations of bribery.
[32] Qatar authorities have also sought to improve the situation by commissioning British law firm DLA Piper to undertake a review of conditions in 2012.
[34] Labour rights have slowly been improving since the review; for example, in August 2015, Qatar announced it would launch a new electronic salary system to guarantee safe and punctual payments directly into workers' bank accounts.
Despite that, massive numbers of migrant workers and residents from South Asia and the Indian Subcontinent play the game that is a national pastime in their countries of origin.
[53] Qatar came runners-up to France in the 2015 World Handball Championship held on home soil, however the tournament was marred by various controversies.
[60] Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, the first Qatari to drive a Formula One car,[61] is involved in the sport and is the owner of Al-Annabi Racing.
[66] The Grand Prix of Qatar, a round in the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship, was held annually in Doha Bay from 2005 to 2015.
Additionally, advancements in registration systems, such as the implementation of electronic services for camel owners, witnessed the introduction of modern technologies while preserving traditional sporting practices.
The modern Al-Shahaniya Camel Racetrack was inaugurated in 1990, offering varying race distances and comprehensive facilities to accommodate participants and spectators alike.
In addition to governmental support, technological innovations have played a pivotal role in advancing camel racing in Qatar.
A successful falconer must possess keen observational skills, discerning the subtle intricacies of avian anatomy and behavior.
The selection of a prime hunting falcon hinges upon meticulous examination, wherein feathers, coloration, and physical attributes serve as crucial indicators of prowess.
Falconers traverse great distances in search of game, with the vast plains of Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Pakistan being popular choices.
The hallmarks of a good falcon include strong posture, glossy feathers, splayed talons, and a broad back, with paler shades being most valued.
Gradually acclimated to human activity, it is trained to return to the falconer's fist and to hunt using a lure (milwah) made from its usual prey.
In 2012, the first edition of the Senyar Festival was organized by Katara Cultural Village with the aim of preserving Qatar's maritime heritage.
Contestants are only allowed to use traditional fishing methods, with the winning team being selected based on the total weight of their catch.
The 2018 edition of the festival saw the eligibility restrictions loosened to allow four GCC nationals or expatriates living in Qatar on each team.
