Qatar to probe low attendance at football stadia

Qatar sports authorities have launched a new survey to investigate the low attendance at football matches, as the Arabian Gulf state sets about spending US$200 billion in building infrastructure to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The survey is an initiative by between the Ministry of Development Planning & Statistics, Qatar Football Association and the Sports Statistics Technical Committee.

The survey aims to find out the main causes behind the low attendances at stadiums when local matches are staged.

In a statement to Doha News, the agencies explained "the poll, targeting the audience different orientations and desires, will enable the decision makers to furnish the suitable solutions in order to encourage the audience to return to the stadiums."

Areas to be explored by the survey will cover the following areas:

Personal reasons - such as not interested, no time, stadiums not conducive to receive women or family objection.

Organisational reasons - such as matches scheduled on the weekdays, stadiums being too far, traffic jams near stadiums.

Technical reasons - such as games being too noisy, smoking, fan behaviour, lack of 'local stars', favourite team not doing well, not being tournament time, lack of confidence among fans and coaching staff, and confidence in referees.

Service reasons such as uncomfortable seats, lack of facilities like mosques, parking or restaurants, lack of transport to/from stadium and arbitrary security procedures.

Climate reasons, such as too hot/windy/dusty.

Audience-related reasons like not enough fans, 'rented fans' problem, no relationship with club and audience and media-related reasons, such as modern technology and the ability to watch games on TV.

Image: Fans at the recent Qatar Football Association Cup Final.

22nd November 2012 - QATAR FACES FIFA WORLD CUP BID INVESTIGATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES