(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) yesterday revealed the design of Al Thumama Stadium, the sixth 2022 Fifa World Cup stadium and the first one designed by Qataris and Arabs.
The distinctive white bowl design, adorned with an intricate pattern, is based on the gahfiya, an essential component of traditional Arab dress that holds in place the ghutra and aghal, which together form a symbol of dignity and independence.
Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Legacy and Delivery, Hassan Al Thawadi said that the design of the Al Thumama Stadium was inspired by gahfiya, and reflects the harmony between the Qatari heritage they take pride in and the country's aspiration towards the future.
'With just over five years to go until Qatar opens the doors of the Middle East to the world, this symbolic design embodies everything that unites us as Arabs and Muslims, and is a fitting tribute to the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East, Al Thawadi said.
The innovative arena is being built by a Qatar-Turkey joint venture (JV) between AlJaber Engineering and Turkey's largest construction company, Tekfen, with enabling works successfully completed in 2016.
Work on the stadium began in 2016, and is set to be complete by 2020.
The stadium is one of the most centrally located venues out of the eight being constructed for the tournament, nestled in the busy residential Doha suburb of Al Thumama, located just 6km south of Doha's famous Corniche.
Chairman of the Supreme Committee's Technical Delivery Office, Eng Hilal Jeham Al Kuwari commented on the announcement and said that 'This is another unique design that all of Qatar will be proud of, given its rich cultural connotations.
The stadium will be equipped with both world-class standards of disabled access and the SCs revolutionary cooling technology to enable year-round sporting activities after the tournament. SC have successfully tried some of those technologies in Khalifa International Stadium, which had rooms equipped for people with autism. Also, and innovative and environmentally friendly cooling technology will be installed at Al Thumama Stadium.
Hassan Al Thawadi stressed Qatar's commitment to its vision that the World Cup 2022 was a tournament for the region and for the Arab World.
On cooperation with Qatari artist Al Jaidah, Al Thawadi said that the committee always believed that the World Cup will be an incentive to push forward local industry and economy.
'We have always said this is a World Cup for the Arab world, that is why it was very important for us that the Arab world celebrates and joins us in this launch.
It is the first World Cup stadium designed by Qatari and Arab hands. The stadium was designed by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim M Jaidah, who is also behind Qatar Museums Fire Station gallery and Doha's new Ministry of Interior building, and comes from the Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB).
Jaidah also worked on the previous headquarters for Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, printed on the QR100 note.
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