Qatar to start first FIFA World Cup stadium in 2013

Construction of Qatar's first stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament will start next year with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee announcing that the stadium will be developed in conjunction with Qatar Foundation at Education City.

The Committee added that the overall "master schedule" for all stadium construction will be revealed "in due course after consultation with FIFA" with five other stadia currently in the process of planning or tender.

Tenders for project management and design consultant for the Al Wakrah Stadium have been issued and winners to be announced before the end of the year.

The project management tender for the redevelopment of Al Rayyan Stadium has also been issued and will be awarded in the first quarter of 2013.

The stadium details came as the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee signed five stakeholder cooperation agreements with Qatar Rail, Ashghal, Kahramaa, Aspire Zone Foundation and Qatari Diar.

All entities have responsibilities and projects that will play a key role in delivering the infrastructure required for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi stated "the signing of the stakeholder cooperation agreements with our local stakeholders is a symbol of the unity that exists in Qatar in relation to successfully delivering the Middle East's first FIFA World Cup.

"We will be signing more agreements in the near future to further unify local entities behind our common goal."

Al Thawadi added: "the World Cup is no longer merely an event that lasts 30 days. Events of this stature have the potential to accelerate the progress of a nation and leave a lasting social, economic and cultural legacy.

"Our aim is to ensure that the event contributes to achieving the targets set in the 2030 National Vision and to ensure this, it is of the utmost importance that the entire nation works together in a spirit of close cooperation.

"We are working diligently with our stakeholders every day to ensure the correct foundations are in place for the 10 years ahead."

The stakeholder signing ceremony follows on from the completion of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee's strategic plan, which covers 2012-2015 and was finalised in August.

Al Thawadi concluded "our mission is undoubtedly ambitious. However, with the full support of our leadership, our stakeholders and our nation, I am confident that everything is in place for us to fulfill and exceed the goals we have set out to achieve."

Last year, Al Thawadi said the construction of its first World Cup 2022 stadium would be completed in 2015, adding that the first of 12 stadia planned for the tournament would include a state-of-the-art cooling system to combat the impact of the summer heat for players and fans.

Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup in December 2010. It has attempted to counter concerns about the summer heat by promising that all the stadia will be air conditioned.

For more information go to www.fifa.com/worldcup/qatar2022/index.html

Image shows the planned interior of the Al Wakrah Stadium.

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