The Peninsula
Doha: FIFA World Cup Qatar is an opportunity to create awareness to have other such events in the country. Sustainability and legacy are important features of this World Cup and accessibility is an important component discussed experts, recently.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) organised as part of its HBKU Talks, ‘FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Inclusive of All Fans, All Abilities’ which shed light on the country’s substantial enhancements to tournament facilities, public infrastructure, and services which will positively impact the built environment and the lives of communities during and after the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 aims to be the most accessible for individuals with disabilities in the history of international FIFA tournaments. At the heart of this vision is accessible infrastructure and a range of in-stadium services to support fans with specific needs.
Dr. Kamilla Swart, Associate Professor in the College of Science and Engineering, HBKU said, “The excitement is mounting as Qatar becomes the first country in the region to host this mega event. There have been many innovations in the planning leading up to the World Cup. Sustainability and legacy are important features of this World Cup and accessibility is an important component.”
“The FIFA World Cup 2022 is a good example of how sport can serve as a catalyst for change in many respects including accessibility. At the heart of the vision is accessible infrastructure and a range of in stadium services to support fans with specific needs,” she added.
Mark Dyer, Accessibility and Inclusivity Strategist in the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), discussed that how the Supreme Committee has implemented initiatives to make the World Cup more accessible and reflected on the lessons it has learned along the way for Qatar's future sporting events.
Dr. Josélia Neves, Associate Dean for Social Engagement and Access at College of Humanities and Social Sciences, HBKU also discussed how the World Cup has become a learning opportunity for many.
She noted that education partnerships are the only way that we can move forward. The World Cup has become an opportunity to leverage what was already happening in the country and has allowed us to bring out the best of what has been happening in the background. “Education and training will be among the efforts that were already there, but needed that extra push. When we talk about education, we have to think at a number of levels. On the one hand, we have to train and educate those who will be providing services during the World Cup and beyond that.”
She added “We also need to educate our public that is both local and international because we will be hosting people from all over the world and this is an opportunity to sensitise and raise awareness among those who are not part of the daily life in Qatar. But we also need to work with the community of people with disabilities because it has been so long and difficult in terms of a non-accessible environment that many of these groups do not see themselves as entitled or deserving of these experiences that are now opened to them.”
Ahmed Al Shahrani, Qatari Para-athlete shared the lessons learnt from his attendance at the 2018 Russian World Cup and how these lessons have been taken forward. He also shared how the World Cup can create change and move the para-athlete and para-Olympic movement forward for athletes with disabilities.