DOHA, 7 December — The Gulf state of Qatar is to stage a world-class sporting exhibition, conference and festival in Doha next year in a bid to further build international awareness of the rapidly emerging leisure destination.
The event will take place over four days in October 2002 and the Qatar National Olympic Committee (QNOC) hopes it will become a biennial event.
“Our existing track record in staging international golf, athletics and tennis tournaments, together with our winning right to host the 2006 Asian Games, has proven Qatar has the ability and commitment to host world-class sporting events, and this is only the beginning,” said Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani, president, QNOC.
“Through the launch of this dedicated exhibition, conference and sports festival, we aim to internationally showcase Qatar as a rapidly emerging and developing sports and leisure destination well in advance of the games, to give global suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products and services to us, and also to provide a major boost to the local and regional sporting industry.”
QNOC also believes the international sporting event could have spin-offs for Qatar’s growing air transport and hospitality sectors.
“The local economy will directly benefit from an influx of international and regional exhibitors, speakers and visitors,” said QNOC vice president, Sheikh Saud ibn Ali Al Thani.
QNOC has signed a contract with international trade event organizers Fairs & Exhibitions for the staging of the event. The contract was signed between Sheikh Tamim and Virginia Kern, chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions, which operates offices in London and Dubai.
Fairs and Exhibitions, the name behind the Dubai air show and which also runs the PackTech International and PrinTech/PubliTech trade shows in Dubai, was appointed as organiser after successfully winning a competitive tender.
“Fairs & Exhibitions amply demonstrated its international capabilities as well as a deep understanding of the Middle East market,” said Sheikh Tamim.
Fairs & Exhibitions, which has over 25 years experience in staging international events, will be responsible for the selling, organisation and running of the event.
“We have been investigating the potential of the Qatari market for some time now and believe this event will quickly be globally recognised as the key international sports trade forum for the Middle East,” said Virginia Kern.
