QF Unveils Range of Activities during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar Foundation

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) has unveiled a range of events and activities the Education City will host during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the period leading up to it, which will be available for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

QF announced the launch of its World Cup campaign under the theme "Football is for all of us" to affirm that this edition of the World Cup, the first of its kind in the Middle East and the Arab world, will be the best in terms of accessibility, and to reflect QF's commitment to providing inclusive and accessible opportunities that all individuals can explore and benefit from.

QFs commitment to accessibility will be exemplified in the weeks leading up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and throughout the tournament, through a series of exciting festivals, activities and events that will be hosted by the Education City which will open its doors to all local and international audiences every day. The events were announced today as part of Qatar Foundation's World Cup campaign at an event attended by a group of QF partners and stakeholders.

On the occasion, HE Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani, said that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is people-centered because it brings them together and provides them with a shared, memorable, and open experience for all; stressing QFs commitment to accessibility and inclusivity which are at the heart of its World Cup campaign, and through which QF will affirm that football is for all of us. "This reflects our commitment to providing opportunities for all, enhancing participation in and benefiting from them, and our enduring support for national goals in hosting the most accessible tournament ever, because our mission is to empower people by launching new pathways of participation and opportunities for exploration for all." For his part, HE Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi said that Qatar Foundation is a significant national partner on the road to the successful hosting of the World Cup. QF has played an active role over the past twelve years in many aspects of the preparation process for the tournament, including research, development, and technology, as well as collaboration on community programs. The Education City Stadium, which the Education City hosts, will see matches in the World Cup until the quarterfinals.

HE Al Thawadi added that QF's plans for the World Cup are in line with the Committees objectives and efforts organize a tournament that brings together people from everywhere, and leaves a sustainable legacy in accessibility and mobility, and in empowering individuals from all social and cultural backgrounds.

In a press conference held today on this occasion, Director of Media Department at Qatar Foundation Khalifa Al Kubaisi said that QF aims at supporting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to be the best accessible edition for individuals with disabilities, through its partnership with the FIFA to provide specialized training for accessibility volunteers, who will be instrumental in ensuring that all fans of the tournament have an unforgettable experience. This also reflects QF's commitment to planting the seeds of volunteerism in Qatar, which will continue after the tournament ends.

He added that ahead of the tournament, Qatar Foundation will launch an accessibility guide to enable people with disabilities residents and visitors alike to explore Qatar during the tournament period. The guide will highlight the many accessible events and programs in the Education City and across the country.

Al Kubaisi explained that through QF's "All Capabilities" program and the platforms provided by QF to enhance the participation of girls and women in sports, QF is keen to support the national goals of making this tournament accessible to people with disabilities, in addition to spreading the culture of volunteerism in Qatar, and consolidating the sporting and social legacy of the tournament.

He stressed that QF Education City welcomes all visitors and fans from around the world before and during the tournament, and invites all members of the community to be an active part in employing sport as a force to achieve accessibility and inclusion.

He added that the Education City Stadium, which will host World Cup match, will feature a comprehensive series of activities dedicated to fans and the general public on match days as well as during other days, as Education City will be open to everyone at all times.

Meanwhile, Director of Events at Qatar Foundation Mashael Shahbek noted that QF's activities at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 include the second edition of the D'reesha Performing Arts Festival from Dec. 11 to 17 at the Education City's Oxygen Park. The festival will serve as a platform for individuals from Qatar, the region, and the world to celebrate culture and creativity.

She noted that the festival will highlight the richness of the Arab culture, language and heritage through musical and theatrical arts, poetry, storytelling, and education. This edition of the festival will feature a new addition - D'reesha Inventions and Innovations - which will focus on the fields of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, and highlight scientists, inventors, and researchers from across the Arab world.

She added that the Education City will also host the Generation Amazing program from Nov. 15 to 20. The program will see the participation of a group of schools from all countries participating in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in workshops, activities and the Generation Amazing football tournament.

She noted that QF is hosting the Street Child World Cup (Doha 2022) until Oct. 15. This tournament brings together homeless children from around the world to participate in a football tournament, an art festival and a platform that allows them to defend their rights.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of Media Department at Qatar Foundation Khalifa Al Kubaisi said that the campaign launched under the slogan "Football is for all of us" is in line with QFs strategic objectives which aim at inclusiveness and diversity. At this time in the run-up to the World Cup, QF aims to affirm to the whole world that football is for all, just as Qatar Foundation has been stressing that it is a place for everyone and is keen to provide opportunities in all areas and for all categories.

Al Kubaisi noted that the events will continue even after the World Cup, and that there are many other events that QF will organize under the main slogan of the campaign, stressing that the legacy will be maintained after the World Cup through the multiple facilities, especially those available in the Education City Stadium located in the heart of the city. He referred to the young capabilities of volunteers who have gained many experiences during the World Cup, in addition to many more aspects which will be preserved and utilized by Qatar Foundation as a legacy of this major world championship which is held for the first time in the Arab world and the Middle East.

For her part, Director of Events at Qatar Foundation Mashael Shahbek told QNA that Qatar Foundation welcomes everyone from all over the world to benefit from the facilities and the events that will be organized in conjunction with the World Cup, pointing to the Education City Stadium which will host many matches during the World Cup.

She called on the fans who will attend the competitions to take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy the various events and activities.

Among the most important event, is the D'reesha Performing Arts Festival which QF aspires to be a platform for talented people in various fields, where they can show their abilities in the fields of singing, music, poetry and storytelling, she explained.

She added the second edition of the festival will also feature inventions and innovations through workshops and educational events in various fields such as mathematics, engineering, science and technology.

The Education City has many facilities and tourist destinations such as Qatar National Library, the Golf Club and Al Shaqab. The art scene is also very much present through the exquisite pieces of art and the "Seeroo fi al ardh" exhibition, she concluded.

(QNA)