Certainly, the football fans in the Middle East and especially in the Gulf countries will be disappointed with the Football Association chairman Greg Dyke’s recent statement in which he said, “A summer World Cup in Qatar in 2022 would be impossible.” Dyke, who took up his FA role last month, thinks the tournament is likely to be moved to winter because of the heat. This is despite the assurance given by the Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee that it is ready to host the tournament in summer. Dyke is adamant saying, “Even if all the stadiums are air-conditioned, I think it will be impossible for the fans.”

Those from the West, who have lived, worked, played sport, walked and cycled in summer for a long period of time across Qatar, say it isn’t a problem at all! With air-conditioned stadiums it is going to be a real delight for the players as well as the spectators.

For goodness sake please don’t disappoint the die-hard football fans in this part of the world and their enthusiasm is no way second to those in any other part of the world! My final advice to FA chairman is; please don’t under-estimate Qatar or for that matter any other Gulf countries. — S.H. Moulana, Riyadh