DOHA: As Qatar prepares to host the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world, health and safety remains at the forefront of priorities for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
In an effort to stage a World Cup that is safely enjoyed by all who attend, the SC has formed a unique collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders through its Host Country Health and Safety Assurance Project.
The SC unveiled the project during a virtual presentation on 6 October, with the Host Country Health and Safety Assurance team fielding numerous questions from stakeholders about the initiative and how it will work. Among the stakeholders involved are: Ashghal, Civil Defense, Ministry of Public Health, Msheireb Properties, Mosanada, Mowasalat, Ooredoo, Qatar Airways, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Museum and Qatar Rail.
The project will ensure all relevant stakeholders are aligned on health and safety standards – both in the lead-up to the tournament and during the event.
“Through the establishment of this unique initiative, the SC continues to demonstrate its commitment towards health and safety for the World Cup specifically and the country as a whole,” said Abdulla Al Bishri, the SC’s Health and Safety Assurance Director.
“By bringing all of our stakeholders under the umbrella of the SC, the Host Country Health and Safety Assurance Project will ensure that the standards put in place are followed by all of our partners for our events on the road to 2022.”
One of the key objectives of the project is to ensure the compliance of health and safety standards at all official and non-official Qatar 2022 sites. This includes the formation of a legal register and an extensive checklist.
For the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™, the SC and its stakeholders will conduct a health and safety inspection and audit process that will align standards for the test event that will take place in six Qatar 2022 venues in November and December.
“The FIFA Arab Cup is an important milestone event, so we need to ensure there are no significant health and safety issues that may arise when it is staged at our venues,” said Al Bishri. “These planned inspections and audits will not only serve the requirements needed to make the Arab Cup compliant, from a health and safety standpoint, it will also provide us valuable feedback on the process itself, as we look ahead to Qatar 2022.”
By working closely with its valued stakeholders, the SC plans to make the Host Country Health and Safety Assurance Project another key element in its endeavour to deliver an amazing experience when the world comes to Qatar in 2022.
