Sport

Qatar faces unprecedented criticism over hosting World Cup, Emir says

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2022

Qatar has faced unprecedented criticism since winning the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, some of which amounted to slander, its ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said on Tuesday.

"We initially dealt with the matter in good faith," Sheikh Tamim said in a televised policy speech, adding that some of the early criticism was constructive.

But, he said, a campaign against Qatar expanded to "include fabrications and double standards that were so ferocious that it has unfortunately prompted many people to question the real reasons and motives behind the campaign".

Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, has come under intense international criticism for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws, Reuters reported.

The emir was addressing a session of the Gulf Arab state's advisory Shura Council as Doha gears up to host soccer's main global event, which kicks off on November 20.

Qatar expects 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, creating an unprecedented logistical and policing challenge for the tiny Gulf Arab state, Reuters reported.

Sheikh Tamim said hosting the World Cup was "a great test for a country the size of Qatar".

"We accepted this challenge out of our faith in our potential, we the Qataris, to tackle the mission and make it a success," he said.

"It is a championship for all, and its success is success for all."

Doha has introduced reforms including rules to protect workers from heat and a monthly minimum wage of 1,000 riyals ($275), and says it continues to develop its labor system.

Foreign workers account for 85% of the some 3 million population of Qatar, which is among the world's top natural gas producers and one of the wealthiest nations per capita, Reuters reported.

Sheikh Tamim said higher energy prices had helped Qatar realize a government budget surplus of 47.3 billion riyals ($12.8 billion) for the first half of 2022, versus a projected deficit, and gross domestic product growth of 4.3%, according to initial estimates.

"The budget surplus will be directed to reducing the level of public debt and increasing the state's financial reserves," he said.

The World Cup would allow Qatar to showcase its economic and institutional strength and cultural identity, he said.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) meanwhile announced in July it had secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in Afghanistan.

According to company officials, the broadcasting schedule will be revised to include the events of November 20.

Ariana Television Network, the Official and Exclusive broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in Afghanistan, has worked closely with FIFA to bring what is undoubtedly the world’s most prestigious event into as many homes in Afghanistan as possible.

While not much has been revealed about the opening ceremony, the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is reported to have special plans for the event, with some reports indicating he has a big fireworks display planned.

For the revised match schedule CLICK HERE

Related Topics:criticism featured Qatar World Cup

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Brazil, Ukraine, Argentina and France through to Futsal World Cup semi-finals

The tournament’s most successful team so far has been Brazil, with Marcel the top scorer.

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2024

Ariana News

Brazil, Ukraine, Argentina and debutants France are all through to this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan after having come out tops through the groups stage, round of 16 and the quarterfinals.

Semis will kick off on Wednesday, October 2, when Brazil face Ukraine in Tashkent.

On Thursday, October 3, Argentina will face France.

Third-place match will be played on Sunday, October 6 in Tashkent.

The final will follow later in the day.

The tournament’s most successful team so far has been Brazil with Marcel the top scorer.

There have been 341 goals scored in 48 matches, averaging 7.1 goals per match up to the quarterfinals. Leading the pack is Brazil’s Marcel, who has scored an impressive 10 goals.

Close behind is Argentina’s Alan Brandi with 7 goals.

Iran’s Salar Aghapour follows with 6 goals and several players are tied with 5 goals each, including Argentina’s Kevin Arrieta and Matías Rosa, Brazil’s Pito, Kazakhstan’s Arnold Knaub, and Venezuela’s Kevin Briceño.

Francis Lokoka, Abdessamad Mohammed and Raphael Reynaud discuss France beating Paraguay and reaching the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 quarter-finals.

For France however, making it to the semi-finals is a dream come true. Making their first ever appearance at this global event, team member Abdessamad Mohammed summed it up after they beat Paraguay. “I’m not sure we could have dreamt for more than this,” he said.

Fellow teammate Francis Lokoka added: “It is absolutely amazing. If somebody had told me this was going to happen, I would not have believed them in my wildest dreams.”

“It is unbelievable,” said coach Raphael Reynaud. “When we came here our aim was to make it through the group stage. But we are competitors so once we’d achieved that, we told ourselves that anything was possible. We believe that we can go far in this tournament.

“What is happening here is a dream come true, but we have worked hard to get here, putting the pieces together one step at a time. It is no accident that we have come this far. You do not beat Paraguay in a World Cup quarter-final by chance.”

Sport

Ukraine secures spot in FIFA Futsal World Cup semi-final

Kazakhstan meanwhile take on Argentina on Monday night, after eliminating reigning world and European champions Portugal. Argentina defeated Croatia in their round of 16 match.

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2024

Ariana News

Ukraine has reached their first Futsal World Cup semi-final since 1996 after beating Venezuela 9-4 on Sunday to set up a Wednesday tie with Brazil, who knocked out Morocco.

The final two quarter-finals matches are on Monday and first up will be France and Paraguay. This comes after France beat Thailand 5-2 in the round of 16.

Kazakhstan meanwhile take on Argentina on Monday night, after eliminating reigning world and European champions Portugal. Argentina defeated Croatia in their round of 16 match.

Quarter-finals

30 September: France vs Paraguay (14:30, Bukhara)
30 September: Kazakhstan vs Argentina (17:00, Tashkent)

Semi-finals

Semis will get underway on Wednesday, October 2, when Ukraine face Brazil in Tashkent.

On Thursday, October 3, Kazakhstan or Argentina will face France of Paraguay.

Third-place match
This match will be played on Sunday, 6 October in Tashkent.
The final will follow later in the day.

Don’t forget to tune in to Ariana Television to watch these exciting matches - which are being broadcast live by Ariana Television Network.

Sport

Afghanistan to play three ODIs against Bangladesh in November

The three-match ODI series will begin on the 6th of November, with the 2nd and 3rd ODIs scheduled to be played on the 9th and 11th of November, respectively. The exact venue is yet to be finalized.

Published

6 days ago

September 29, 2024

Ariana News

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday confirmed that it will host Bangladesh for a series of three One Day International (ODI) matches from November 06 – 11 in the United Arab Emirates.

The three-match ODI series will begin on the 6th of November, with the 2nd and 3rd ODIs scheduled to be played on the 9th and 11th of November, respectively. The exact venue is yet to be finalized.

These three ODIs, along with three T20Is and two Tests, were originally part of Afghanistan’s Future Tour Program (FTP) and scheduled for July-August this year. However, the series was postponed due to extreme heat in the UAE and India, where ACB usually hosts its home events, ACB said in a statement.

Following extensive discussions, both boards have agreed to proceed with just the ODI leg, which will be crucial in both teams' preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy which is set to take place in Pakistan in February next year, the statement said.

Afghanistan recently secured a historic 2-1 series victory over South Africa and are set to tour Zimbabwe in December for an all-format series against the home side.