by Alieu Ceesay in Doha, Qatar
It is about six years away to the 2022 World Cup and the host for the event Qatar is sparing no time and efforts in its preparations. The oil-rich Gulf state is working frantically to have the stadiums and all the needed facilities ready and available for the world convergence.
Sports journalists from around the world attending the 79th AIPS Congress in Doha on Wednesday went on a tour of one of the stadiums under construction in Doha.
The 40, 000 capacity Khalifa International Stadium is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will host the 2019 World Athletics Championship. Over 2000 workers are said to be working at the construction site.
The Khalifa Stadium is a source of pride and symbol of the country’s sporting ambitions for generations of Qataris and expatriates.
The stadium, according to officials will host games from the opening to quarter-finals of the tournament.
The other stadiums that are expected to host matches include Albayt Stadium (60, 000 capacity), Qatari Foundation Stadium (40, 000 capacity), and Al Wakhra Stadium (40, 000 capacity).
Following the negative media reports on the poor living condition of labourers in Qatar, the Qatari authorities used the opportunity to take the sports journalists on a visit to the Labour City where over 30, 000 labourers are accommodated to see for themselves their living conditions.
The Labour City has 55 three-storey buildings with a clinic, recreational centre, and 20, 000 rooms.
