Asian football chief backs Qatar World Cup bid

Mohamed Bin Hammam, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has said he will back Qatar's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in preference to those of other AFC member nations Australia, Japan and South Korea.

Qatar-born Bin Hammam, who is also a FIFA Executive Committee Member, said he would be throwing his weight behind his home country in the upcoming FIFA vote, stating "I have one vote... and frankly speaking I will vote for Qatar, but if Qatar is not in the running I will vote for another Asian country."

The winning bid will be announced by FIFA in Zurich on 2nd December, along with the host of the 2018 tournament.

Should the 2018 World Cup be awarded to a European nation, Qatar is likely to be competing against the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia for the right to host the 2022 tournament.

Bin Hammam added "I was against deciding two World Cup bid decisions in the same room on the same day, but most of my colleagues were with that option so I have to respect their experience and wisdom, and most of them are more experienced than me."

If successful, Qatar would become Asia's second World Cup host after South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 tournament.

The Chief Executive of the Gulf state's bid team, Hassan Al-Thawadi, was quoted by Reuters as saying "I am grateful for the support shown (by Bin Hammam), he has always understood the benefits that a World Cup will bring to Qatar and the Middle East, and he has been pioneering in his vision.

"A World Cup in Qatar will be an historic opportunity for FIFA, for the teams, officials, fans and the people of the Arab world, helping bridging cultures between the East and the West and above all changing the perception of the region."

A recent poll by Gulf newspaper Arabian Business poll showed more than 45% of respondents backed Qatar's bid for the football tournament.

Bin Hammam has also confirmed that will be seeking another term at the helm of the Asian football governing body.

Speaking to members of the media in Beirut recently, Bin Hammam stated "my aim is to run for the next election of AFC president due at the start of 2011.

"Hopefully I will get the full confidence of all the national associations."

The election for the AFC President's position takes place during the AFC Congress in Doha, Qatar, in January next year.

Bin Hammam of Qatar was elected as the President of AFC in 2002 and since then has been instrumental in changing the face of Asian football.

The stadia at the core of Qatar's FIFA World Cup bid were featured in the November/December 2009 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

12th March 2010 - QATAR’S BIN HAMMAM FACES TOUGH FIGHT FOR FIFA TOP JOB