DOHA, 30 November 2006 — Its all systems go as the final countdown begins for the 15th Asian Games. The 50,000 seater newly-built Khalifa Stadium is expected to be filled to capacity during the elaborate opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Qatar is only the second Middle Eastern country to host the Asian Games after Iran in 1974 and the “Pearl of the Gulf” is keen to put its best foot forward in the culmination of years of hard work and preparation for an international event of this magnitude.
Since the day when the country won the right to host the Asiad, an urban revolution, one that stirred national pride, has gripped the host city Doha.
Huge billboards highlighting the different sports and events taking place during the Games lined the major thoroughfares of the city. Qataris are in upbeat mood, displaying tiny flags on the top of their cars and dancing in the street.
According to ‘Running Sands’, a daily journal distributed at the Athletes Village, Qatari youths studying abroad are coming back in droves to attend the Asian Games.
“It is a huge event that my country is hosting. I wanted to come back and participate as a volunteer in the events’ preparation,” Reem told the ‘Running Sands.”
Qatar has a special reception hall at its international airport to welcome the delegations from participating countries in addition to the media people who will be covering the event.
As soon as they reach the hall, they are presented with flowers and made to feel at home by the welcoming party in the tradition of Qatari hospitality. The high security system in the athletes and media villages guarantees their safety throughout their stay in this bustling metropolis. “The work since 2001 was continuous to prepare for the 15th Asian Games and to accommodate the huge number of athletes, organizers and media people attending this event,” said Reagan, a volunteer worker in the athletes’ village.
Athletes are accommodated and trained in an independent area called “the Athletes’ Village.” It contains many buildings to house athletes from all country. Each building houses athletes from one country and sometimes more according to their number. The flag of each country lies at the top of the building.
“Those buildings are brand new and built especially for this event,” said Reagan.
Lebanese singer Magida El Roumi will perform in a duet with the famed Spanish tenor José Carreras for a rendition of the song “Light the Way” during the inaugural rites on arrival of the torch. “Lighting the torch at the opening ceremony will be a surprise for everyone,” said a worker at the media village.
A thousand staffers came from different countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and other Gulf and Asian countries to help Doha bring this event to the world. “I came here with some colleagues from America to participate in the preparations. My job here is to provide updated information regarding all different games at their venues,” said a middle-aged American woman.
The Athletes Village has arranged entertainment events and shows in the evening for the benefit of the athletes, including a cinema showing comedy, horror and action movies. There is also a gift shop for those who want to take souvenirs from the Doha Games.
