7msports > Soccer Video > Qatar 2022 CEO discusses corruption and winter World Cup

Qatar 2022 CEO discusses corruption and winter World Cup

Friday, March 06 2015 by SNTV
  • Intro:

    The Secretary General for the Supreme Committee for the Delivery and Legacy and Chief Executive for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Organising Committee, Hassan Al Thawadi spoke on Thursday (5th March) at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in New York City, USA.

    Script:

    SOUNDBITE (English) Hassan Al Thawadi, CEO of Qatar 2022 World Cup Organising Committee:

    (on the most compelling reason for Qatar to host the World Cup).

    "Well there are many compelling cases, but ultimately the most compelling case for us was one element; it was the first time for the World Cup to come to the Middle East. Our final presentation, I don't know if you had a chance to watch our final presentation or not, but we approached it with a collaborative approach and an inclusive approach. We presented it in four different languages and ultimately the message was saying, this is the first time the World Cup will be coming to the Middle East, a region that is passionate about football, that is dedicated about football, and a region that deserves to host a major sporting event. And with all due respect to other sporting events, there's nothing bigger than the World Cup."

    SOUNDBITE (English) Hassan Al Thawadi, CEO of Qatar 2022 World Cup Organising Committee:

    (on allegations of corruption in bid process).

    "Let me start off by saying this, we've always maintained and we always maintain that for us we have full confidence in the integrity of our bid. From the very beginning we have always maintained that and we are very confident. Accordingly during the investigative process in 2018 and 2022 as you correctly pointed out, we cooperated fully and very transparently with Michael Garcia and the rest of the team. But in terms of did it overshadow or stop our plans, it didn't.

    SOUNDBITE (English) Hassan Al Thawadi, CEO of Qatar 2022 World Cup Organising Committee:

    (on FIFA moving the World Cup to November).

    "You see you'd be surprised because for the last five years we've been planning for a summer World Cup. So in terms of the change for us it's actually changing our plans as well. but we've always said from the very beginning we're ready for whatever the football committee decides in terms of hosting a World Cup. But our plans have been from the very beginning and up until the decision or the recommendation was provided and the decision gets made on the 19th of March, because the decision still isn't finalised, but once the decision is finalised or gets made, we are ready to commit to whatever the football committee decides. But our plans from day one have always been for a summer World Cup. Now once the decision gets made, whatever the decision is that gets made, we will comply with it and we're ready to comply with it."

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