The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the body tasked with making the preparations and hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, is on course to deliver all projects on time, despite the changing economic scenario following the fall in crude oil prices.
Speaking at a media gathering yesterday, SC Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi said: “Of course, our budget is assigned by the government. But we were already working towards reducing our expenses. And this was before the oil prices went down. So when the slide happened, we had already taken significant steps towards adjusting our budgets.”
“And as the oil prices came down we started having discussions with the government and the impact of the slump was not as great as people would have assumed,” he added.
Al-Thawadi stressed on the point that the SC would keep its promise of hosting a world class World Cup. “Of course, we will keep our promise. It will be one of the best ever and best organizsed World Cups,” he said. “We are working with both the government and the private sector — the PPP or the public–private partnership model, we are working on that.”
“Various business models are under place — recession models, models that get us the desired result with minimum expenditure – they are being tried,” added al-Thawadi.
He also spoke about the Supreme Committee’s commitment towards sustainability and a greener tomorrow. “We have adopted the GSAS (Global Organisation for Research & Development) model that focuses on reduced carbon footprint in infrastructure and green buildings. So we are not just preparing for the World Cup, but are effectively working towards a greener and healthier tomorrow.”
On the issue of alcohol consumption during the World Cup, al-Thawadi reiterated FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura’s statement that the world football governing body will respect the traditions and sentiments of the host nation. “Qatar’s traditional values do not allow for the consumption of alcohol,” he said.