(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: The Evaluation Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is ‘satisfied' after an exhaustive three-day visit to Doha's globally renowned sports landmarks that the Qatari capital aims to use if it wins the 2030 Asian Games bid.
In his final remarks after completing visits to a number of key facilities over three days, OCA Evaluation Committee chair Andrey Kryukov yesterday praised Doha's sports engagements that helped the coastal city deliver the ‘most successful' Asian Games at the time in 2006.
'The committee is satisfied with what we saw and believes Doha's existing infrastructure and sustainable concept has lot to offer for a successful Asian Games in 2030, Kryukov said at a press conference.
'The committee was pleased to see (that) sports is a national priority in Qatar. The committee was pleased to see the general enthusiasm of the youth and general public towards sports. We also saw the involvement of the government and the private sector, the involvement of the country's leadership and the participation of athletes in the bid, Kryukov added.
'The committee would like to thank the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the support to develop sports and to spread the Olympic Movement in Qatar. We would like to thank H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, who is deeply involved in the bid.
'The OCA notes with great satisfaction that the Asian Games Doha 2030 project is built on the legacy of the 2006 Asiad and it is fully integrated as a part of the national plan for sustainable development in Qatar National Vision 2030 which raises the profile of the Games at all levels, Kryukov said.
'We know, in Qatar, sport is one of the top priorities, he said. Over the course of three days, the OCA Evaluation Committee visited the Aspire Academy, the world's largest indoor facility. The Aspire Academy, which staged the 2009 IAAF Indoor World Championships and the FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2018, remains busy right throughout 12 months of the year.
The OCA Evaluation Committee also visited the Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital, the Lusail Sports Arena which hosted the 2015 Men's World Handball Championships, Al Shaqab Indoor Arena and the beIN Sports Channel's broadcasting headquarters. beIN has extensive experience of delivering world-class, global coverage for sports held events in Qatar.
The OCA Evaluation Committee also got to a taste of Doha's cultural diversity when they visited at the National Museum of Qatar yesterday.
Other stopovers for the OCA Evaluation Committee included a visit to Msheireb Downtown Doha, the Gateway to Qatar's cultural heritage, and a short ride on Doha's state-of-the-art transport network Doha Metro.
Earlier on day two, the OCA team visited Al Bidda Tower to get an understanding of Qatar's FIFA World Cup preparations including the construction of new stadiums and training facilities. The OCA delegation also visited Al Bayt Stadium and Al Rayyan Stadium, two new venues to be used for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar.
Qatar's technology advancement in everyday use also impressed the OCA Evaluation Committee.
'We had a good discussion with Ooredoo CEO. He told us interesting statistics and development plans. It is important for any country to move with the times. Qatar always demonstrates good vision and remains confident when it comes to moving with technology. Yesterday we were impressed with the DOha Metro (ride) and with the (sports) facilities in the city itself. Everybody knows that Doha now is one the fastest growing cities in the world. This is good advantage, Kryukov said.
'Today we saw serious planning and that mostly the budgets (in the bid) are operations budgets because most of the infrastructure is there. Doha doesn't need new infrastructure. We still have 10 years to go for the Asian Games in 2030 so we don't expect COVID-19 pandemic would affect their bid, he said.
'I think the bid of Doha is based on the legacy of 2006, your existing infrastructure like metro and medical is providing possibility to host successful Games. This was built by your people with accumulated knowledge and that knowledge is now passed on, Kryukov said.
'We are extremely pleased to be in Doha. The committee's mandate is to assess and analyze the readiness and capability of the city Doha, the candidate city. You know the Asian Games is the largest gathering of youth and culture in Asia. It is the biggest multi-sports event in the world.
'The committee listened to the presentations and plans and analysed the presentations made by the bid committee to host the the 2030 Asian Games, Kryukov said and added that his team can't make the fact-finding mission public.
'Our mandate does not allow us to make public assessment. We have not finished our reports. Every bid has their own challenges. I think there's enough to analyse but as soon as our report is presented we will know in December who wins. We have not finished our report documents, he said.
The OCA family will announce the hosts of the 2030 Asian Games on December 16, 2020, when it convenes in Muscat.
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