DOHA: The Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi believes the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has the potential to unite the globe once the COVID-19 pandemic has been defeated.
Al Thawadi outlined the SC’s response to COVID-19 and discussed tournament preparations during Leaders Week Direct – a global sports industry conference currently being held online due to the ongoing pandemic.
Speaking during an interview with James Worrall, Leaders CEO & Founder, Al Thawadi said the SC had moved quickly to protect its workforce once the pandemic reached Qatar.
“It’s an unprecedented situation and our immediate focus was our workers’ health and safety,” said Al Thawadi. “In coordination with the Ministry of Public Health, we isolated at-risk workers, provided awareness materials and educated people about best practice. We also took other actions, such as disinfecting work sites, to limit the spread as much as possible.”
He said that Qatar is guaranteeing the salaries of anyone affected by the pandemic.
“Our government is ensuring everyone gets paid – even if they are isolated or hospitalised due to the illness.”
Al Thawadi said one of the core challenges for Qatar 2022 is to ensure the tournament is economically accessible to fans who wish to attend.
“It’s difficult for anyone to paint a clear picture of a post-COVID world. This is the first time in the modern world where all economic activity has come to a standstill and there are big implications on business, employment and livelihoods,” he added.
