Poster supporting Qatar bid for World Cup 2011(Pix credit:neptunenext.wordpress.com)
By now, most people would be aware of Qatar successful bid to host the 2022 World cup. What does it feel like to see Qatar successful World cup bid from the point of a local resident?
Most residents or expatriates like myself are proud that this small nation has been successful in it's World Cup bid. It is nothing short of amazement that this small nation has shot itself to prominence on the world's sporting platform.
Of course, the Qataris are extremely proud of their successful bid as well. Jubilant celebrations burst out spontaneously in the streets - honking cars, shrill whistles, flying flags, claps and singing, etc
Celebrations on the streets upon news of Qatar's successful bid for World Cup 2011
(Pix credit:http://sonyaandtravis.com)
Once the euphoria died down, reality sets in. Will tiny Qatar be able to successfully shoulder such a monumental task of hosting the FIFA world cup?
The newspapers give a emphatic yes. The officials interviewed give an emphatic yes. Qataris give an extremely confident yes. Residents who have been around for a while give a mixed reply. My opinion? - Mostly yes...
Money can and does conquer many difficulties.
Qatar definitely has the financial muscle to shoulder the herculean task of building the infrastructure and the hosting of a FIFA world cup.Growing country.
As a small and growing country, it is so much easier for the various agencies to work together to produce a successful plan to work towards 2022. The world cup is also a good opportunity for the Qataris to forge a proud national identity that can bind the nation together.Good Experience.
Many people are not aware that Qatar has been working towards being a good sporting host nation. This small country had successfully hosted the Asian Games 2006 , Asian Football Cup 2010, annual ExxonMobile Tennis tournament, F1 powerboat tournament, Motorcyle Grand Prix and a host of other small and large sporting tournaments.Time.
There is still 10 years to go before 2022. There is time for the various infrastructure, transportation, accommodation and other plans to come into place.Expertise.
The country may lack some of the successful human expertise locally but it has never shown a lack to source the world and hire the best consultants or personnel that are required to both plan and carry out the plans for 2022.So, if all indications show that Qatar will be able to host a successful 2022 World Cup Tournament, what is my personal plans?
I would like to come back to Qatar as a spectator to the world's most beautiful game. But not to reside in Qatar during this period especially in the 4 years prior to 2022. Why?
Because all residents know that Qatar will become one large construction site! Qatar is a fast growing country and it's infrastructure growth can hardly keep up with it's quick growth even as it is now. Roads are packed, shopping malls are crowded, there is long queues at government agencies, airports, gas stations, supermarkets. Parents have problem enrolling their children into good schools and children has to wake up super early just to avoid the morning school road jam.
Updated: November 2013
My prediction came true. Qatar has become one massive traffic jam as the population grew to beyond 2 million people in a short few years. There is massive road and building construction everywhere and people are complaining to the press and social media about the jams.Just two days ago, I had to drive to the airport at 6:00am and there were already massive jams even on the highway as parents drive their children to schools and company bus send their workers to work.
There are anecdotal evidence that some long time residents has given up and went off the country as patience wear thin with the traffic. However, these small numbers does not counter the hordes of people arriving to take up residence as more and more job opportunities become available.
It will be some 10 years before the world cup. Construction projects can only increase and roads will continue be be chopped and changed as the city evolve to greet the world cup.
You have been warned. You are welcomed to Qatar if you can put up with the heat, traffic and construction chaos - not always necessary in that order!
