(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
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The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar Foundation's Education City looked like a mini Stadium as hundreds of families gathered to watch the World Cup matches. Match screenings at Education City's Oxygen Park started with showing four games yesterday.
Matches were screened on a big screen which set at Oxygen Park with sitting arrangements for the fans. Games and other activities were also organised for children at the venue.
Matches between Wales and Iran; Qatar and Senegal; Netherlands and Ecuador; England and USA were screened yesterday.“This is a good atmosphere, away from the busy places in Doha,” said Aaseeyah, a Palestinian resident who had come to watch the game with her family.“We really wanted to watch this match but couldn't get tickets. This is a good experience to watch with many people,” she added, watching Qatar-Senegal match, which the hosts went on to lose 3-1.
Education City, home to one of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums, is also open for everyone to enjoy a range of events and activities in a family friendly atmosphere. Those attending the screenings do not require a Hayya card.
While adults watched matches, children were playing football between teams formed among them.
“This is a more relaxed place to watch the matches, especially for children; they have more space to play and enjoy too,” said Layla, a Syrian resident who was at the Oxygen Park with another eight members of her family.
In total, 22 games will be screened live at Oxygen Park over the coming days, including semi-finals and the final. Games are being shown at Oxygen Park on every match day except on days when the Education City Stadium is hosting games.
Next matches will be screened tomorrow, November 27, and it will be games between Japan and Costa Rica; Belgium and Morocco; Croatia and Canada; and Spain and Germany.
Food and beverage outlets are also available for the fans.
As part of its World Cup activities, QF will also be providing an inclusive, accessible welcome to every fan attending matches at the Education City Stadium over the coming weeks through the Education City fan experience, which will feature performances including singing, dancing, and freestyle football, with artists with disabilities among the performers.
These include the second edition of QF's D'reesha Performing Arts Festival, which takes place from December 11 to 17 at Oxygen Park under the theme of Travel and Adventure and will showcase the richness and vibrancy of Arab culture to the world.