Madrid, November 01 (QNA) - Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), Hassan Al Thawadi, has underlined the potential for peaceful coexistence through sport in a keynote speech on the 2022 World Cup preparations that he gave at Casa Arabe in Madrid.
"Sport is a platform where the principle of peaceful coexistence is brought forward. This World Cup in Qatar represents an opportunity for the region and especially for the young generations who are our future," Al Thawadi said at Casa Arabe, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year in the Spanish capital.
HE the State of Qatar's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain Mohammed bin Jaham Al Kuwari attended the event along with Aspire Academy Director General Ivan Bravo and a group of dignitaries, officials and sports figures.
"In Qatar we believe in mutual respect and the principle of peaceful coexistence. We are a mosaic of people of different nationalities, beliefs and cultures, living together and in harmony. In the organization which I have the privilege to lead, 44 nationalities are working towards a common vision," Al Thawadi said.
The SC secretary general highlighted the firm stance of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that dialogue is the only way to solve the urgent crisis in the Gulf region, calling on everyone to separate sport from politics for the benefit of the peoples of the region, especially youths who are the backbone of the Arab society and, as Al Thawadi highlighted, need 60 million job opportunities from now until 2030.
He also underlined the major role of hosting the 2022 World Cup in leaving behind a lasting legacy in the region as a whole and not just in Qatar, touching on the projects that will prove this legacy such as Josoor Institute and Challenge 22.
Al Thawadi spoke about the 2022 World Cup hosting venues and the importance of using them in service of society in the cities where they are built, noting that the stadia are being constructed to be used throughout the week and not just for hours every week so as to meet the ambitions and needs of the community.
The secretary general spoke in detail about the cooling technology that is currently available, reiterating SC's commitment to cool the stadiums even though the tournament will be staged in November and December, which is the optimal weather for tournaments.

After his speech, the floor was opened for questions to the SC secretary general who answered them in a transparent and objective manner, noting the depth of the humanitarian message of hosting the 2022 World Cup that would contribute to building a moderate society away from extremism and terrorism. He interacted with all queries and answered them in a positive atmosphere that proved the importance of staging the first World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab region. 

Meanwhile, Spanish Football Association President Juan Luis Larrea said his country was fully behind Qatar's preparations for an innovative tournament in 2022. 

"We are close to a historic achievement, one which has been long sought by the Arab world. We have always seen Qatar as a unique host nation, an epicenter of modernity and innovation. 

"Some of our best players know the Qatari passion for football and other sports. The links between the Arab world and Spain are strong, together we have lived important moments. We were very happy with the choice of Qatar. 

"Football is the strongest of bridges between cultures, and helps to bring together people, establish contacts and create deep friendships. We would like to repeat our World Cup win in South Africa in 2022. We know that many fans in Qatar follow our team and our clubs. 

Qatar, which has already hosted Asian Cup, Asian Games or the Handball World Cup, among many other major events, will add in this way another chapter to its significant hosting history. Their passion is contagious. We have seen the capacity of a country, to host the best events in the world," Larrea added. 

In turn, Casa Arabe Director-General Pedro Martinez-Avial expressed his delight that Al Thawadi accepted the invitation to speak Casa Arabe's 10th anniversary, hoping for more cooperation in the future and expressing Casa Arabe's readiness to support the Qatari efforts to host an ideal World Cup in 2022. He also said that Casa Arabe is ready to play any positive role that would help in solving the urgent crisis in the Gulf region, noting that the 2022 World Cup is for all peoples of the Arab region and will benefit them all not just Qatar. 

Martinez-Avial noted that hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a bonus for everyone who believes in the need to spread sport in all corners of the planet and not to confine it to a specific area. (QNA)