Local Organizing Committee Reveals Preparations for HH the Amir's Cup Final

Amir Cup Press Conference

The Local Organizing Committee of HH the Amir's Football Cup Final revealed the technical details of organizing the event, which will witness the inauguration of Al Thumama Stadium, one of the stadiums ready to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

During a press conference held today, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) discussed in detail the plan for ticket sales and the movement of fans through the Doha Metro and their arrival at Al Thumama Stadium, as well as the plan for road closures surrounding the stadium. The committee also reviewed the security preparations and plans for the entry and exit of the fans.

The Final of HH the Amir's Cup between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd on October 22, is considered part of the operations plans for hosting the World Cup after about a year in Qatar.

Director of Operations Department at LOC Rashid Al Khater said that the match will coincide with the inauguration of Al Thumama International Stadium, one of the 2022 World Cup stadiums. The main goal is to facilitate the process of entering the stadium, and there will be road closures in coordination with the Traffic Department.

He noted that there are parking lots dedicated for all groups, including hospitality. Fans gates will open four hours before the match, and fans are encouraged to arrive in the stadium at least three hours before the match.

Al Khater stated that everyone can use the public transportation, including the metro. The bus service will be available 4 hours before the start of the match and will continue for an hour and a half after the end of the match.

On the public attendance in light of the (COVID-19) measures followed in the country, Al Khater explained that there will be two categories of fans, the first is those who are fully vaccinated and the second is those who received the second dose 14 days before the final. Those who have been vaccinated and recovered are allowed to enter the stadium without PCR test, with the EHTERAZ shown upon their entry. Children under 12 years old will undergo a rapid PCR test documented by the Ministry of Public Health, and they can do the test 24 hours before the match.

He added that the Fan ID will be issued by applying through the Qatar Football Association website for tickets. He noted that the application process began on Monday and will remain open until the day of the match. He also stressed the need for the fans to bring the passport or the Qatari ID to receive the Fan ID.

For his part, Assistant Manager of Road Operation and Maintenance Department at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Jamal Al Ansari affirmed the full readiness for HH the Amir's Cup final, noting that that preparation process could be divided into three parts. The first is the pre-event preparations and includes projects related to Al Thumama Stadium where five car parks were built on the perimeter of the stadium with a capacity of 7,000 parking lots. Two pedestrian crossing bridges were constructed, and a pedestrian crossing tunnel, located on the side of the Doha Expressway from the south, was also completed.

He added that the second part included the readiness of the road network and the sewage network before the event. Two teams have been formed from the Road Operations and Maintenance Department and the Sanitary Department, in addition to a team of engineers and technicians periodically passes on the roads to check the readiness of the lighting poles, traffic signals, etc. This is done on a weekly basis.

The third part is the implementation of approximately 49 indicative panels to guide the masses from various roads, and there will be parking lots dedicated to the media, the masses and hospitality. This is done in coordination with officials in the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy to determine the paths, aiming to facilitate the masses' arrival to the parking areas, he continued.

With regard to the preparations during the event, Al Ansari said that two teams have been formed to check on the road and sewage networks, and they are fully prepared to intervene if necessary or when any change is made.

He explained tat the procedures after the event will be carried out in coordination with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and the Traffic Department. The closures that were present will be lifted and the reports and lessons learned along with the recommendations will be submitted to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy for future development, stressing that there will be coordination with the Committee for public awareness and that all necessary information will be distribute to the masses.

Representative of LOC Security and Safety Committee Major Abdullah Sultan Al Ghanim expressed his confidence that the HH the Amir's Cup Final will be distinguished, noting that achieving security and safety in such matches requires full cooperation, by following proper procedures and adhering to security measures.

He added that the Security Committee has developed several procedures and plans that contribute to enhancing security in the final match to ensure the safety of all.

Major Al Ghanim appealed to the fans to arrive in the venue early in order to avoid traffic congestion, noting that there will be traffic security patrols present at the various intersections around the stadium to facilitate traffic and direct the fans, each to the designated area.

He explained that that specific parking lots have been allocated and 7 inspection gates for the entry of the masses. Gate No. 6 was allocated to facilitate the entry of people with special needs.

He added that any of the prohibited items specified by the Security Committee will be prevented.

Major Al Ghanim called for maintaining a civilized form of cheering during the match, saying that it must be in a framework that preserves security and safety inside the stadium. He also urged the fans to adhere to the instructions after the end of the match.

On the other hand, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Qatar Rail Abdullah Ali Al Mawlawi expressed his confidence that the final of HH the Amir's Cup will be completed in a perfect manner, noting that Qatar Rail has doubled its efforts to organize the event in an appropriate manner and to facilitate the movement and safety of the masses.

Al Mawlawi explained that there are 8 World Cup stadiums, 5 of which are directly connected to the Doha Metro, and 3 stadiums need a "shuttle bus", namely Al Janoub Stadium, Al Bait and Al Thumama.

Noting that this edition of HH the Amir's Cup final will be held at Al Thumama Stadium, He encouraged the fans to use the metro to reach the stadium.

Regarding the working hours on the final day of the tournament, Al Mawlawi explained that the operating hours are the normal hours on Fridays, from 2:00 pm to 12:00 am, which is sufficient time to transport all fans from the stadium, adding that the fan card (Fan ID) allows the use of metro services free of charge.

SOURCE: QNA