The buzz about Qatar's bid for hosting the 2022 World Cup is getting a little louder these days. Banners,billboards and information displays are popping up everywhere, not to mention entire buildings being turned into advertisements for the "
Expect Amazing" billed event. I, for one, would not expect anything less from a country that takes pride in not only outdoing others, but itself, as well. The heat seems to be the main topic of concern if you listen to the naysayers, but they obviously do not understand how far this country will go to impress on the world that Qatar demands to be a destination, not just a stopover. Perhaps with
some needed changes that will be put into place if their bid is awarded, that dream could become a reality. As much as the heat will be a drawback, the lack of a valid transportation system could have an equally negative impact. No worries, they tell us, metro plans are in the works. Back to that nagging heat issue, there is no doubt that Qatar will have state of the art "cooled" stadiums, but will the inspectors be able to get past the sauna that slaps their faces on arrival in two weeks. Temps will be running around 98F and if you factor in the heat index, that number could easily increase by twenty plus degrees. If they can get past those problems, they will see beautiful,
culturally befitting stadiums that are planned with a thirty minute "match to match" promise included. OK, one more problem...the hooligan factor. Football fans are known to drink and carry their parties over into the streets, which
could prove to be a bit more difficult for this Muslim nation to stomach. Supposedly there will be dedicated fan zones for such antics, but controlling it could prove difficult. Lay all the cards on the table and I still vote Qatar. I've always been one to go with the underdog and besides, I love all the buzz. Truth be told if they somehow pull out this long shot, I won't even be here in 2022 to witness it. Surely by then I'll be back in Texas basking in its glory. Inshallah.
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The buzz about Qatar's bid for hosting the 2022 World Cup is getting a little louder these days. Banners,billboards and information displays are popping up everywhere, not to mention entire buildings being turned into advertisements for the "Expect Amazing" billed event. I, for one, would not expect anything less from a country that takes pride in not only outdoing others, but itself, as well. The heat seems to be the main topic of concern if you listen to the naysayers, but they obviously do not understand how far this country will go to impress on the world that Qatar demands to be a destination, not just a stopover. Perhaps with 
some needed changes that will be put into place if their bid is awarded, that dream could become a reality. As much as the heat will be a drawback, the lack of a valid transportation system could have an equally negative impact. No worries, they tell us, metro plans are in the works. Back to that nagging heat issue, there is no doubt that Qatar will have state of the art "cooled" stadiums, but will the inspectors be able to get past the sauna that slaps their faces on arrival in two weeks. Temps will be running around 98F and if you factor in the heat index, that number could easily increase by twenty plus degrees. If they can get past those problems, they will see beautiful, culturally befitting stadiums that are planned with a thirty minute "match to match" promise included. OK, one more problem...the hooligan factor. Football fans are known to drink and carry their parties over into the streets, which
could prove to be a bit more difficult for this Muslim nation to stomach. Supposedly there will be dedicated fan zones for such antics, but controlling it could prove difficult. Lay all the cards on the table and I still vote Qatar. I've always been one to go with the underdog and besides, I love all the buzz. Truth be told if they somehow pull out this long shot, I won't even be here in 2022 to witness it. Surely by then I'll be back in Texas basking in its glory. Inshallah.
Wow, that stadium video is awesome. Really magical!
ReplyDeleteDude, in 2022, I'm going to be 40. :(
ReplyDeleteYes, the stadiums are awesome. I'll hate to miss it. Shabina, I will be in my 6th decade by then! Inshallah!
ReplyDelete