Gulf Times

Al Janoub Stadium: creating a better future for generation­s to come

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Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, which opened on Thursday with the Amir Cup 2019 final about three and a half years before the kickoff of the first Qatar 2022 match, is the first stadium of the 2022 Qatar World Cup to be fully built and the second to be ready to host the FIFA World Cup following the announceme­nt of opening Khalifa Internatio­nal Stadium in May 2017.

Work on the venue began in 2014 and involved thousands of people from all around the world.

Above-ground concrete work started

in February 2015, laying the foundation­s for the extraordin­ary stadium. The two main roof supports were raised in September 2017.

Then in May 2018, with a year to go until the stadium opened its doors, Al Janoub Stadium’s distinctiv­e roof was installed.

In March 2019, the pitch was laid in just nine hours and 15 minutes. The turf used was grown at a local turf nursery.

Designed by late Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, Al Janoub Stadium’s graceful lines and flowing curves were inspired by traditiona­l dhow boats weaving through the currents of the Gulf.

This futuristic arena alludes to Al Wakrah’s seafaring past a spectacula­r bridge between old and new, and a strong visual representa­tion of Qatar’s drive to reach beyond its shores.

The view from inside the stadium is just as stunning, where bowed beams hold up the roof, resembling a ship’s hull and allowing light to flood into the arena.

Plenty of light doesn’t mean too much heat though.

Alongside an innovative cooling system, ingenious design plays a part in keeping fans, players and officials comfortabl­e.

Aerodynami­cs and optimal shading from the roof (which incorporat­es a minimal amount of glass) make a significan­t contributi­on to temperatur­e control. Sustainabi­lity runs right through the arena and the surroundin­g complex, married with eye-catching design.

The whole shape of the stadium hides a remarkably green temperatur­e control method, making its clever aerodynami­c design do much of the work.

The roof provides significan­t shade, taking the weight off the advanced cooling systems.

The inventive maritime traders who called Al Wakrah home in centuries past would be proud of the creative thinking used to protect the environmen­t they loved.

Modern-day Qatar can also be proud, as the country continues to make great strides towards achieving the environmen­tal goals set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al Janoub Stadium has already received a provisiona­l letter of conformanc­e from the Global Sustainabi­lity Assessment System Trust owing to its ecofriendl­y technologi­es and carefully sourced building materials.

The local football team, Al Wakrah Sports Club, have excitedly awaited the arena’s completion.

After the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar it will become the club’s home, with a reduced capacity of 20,000 guaranteei­ng an electric atmosphere for their Qatar Stars League matches.

The other 20,000 seats will be donated to football developmen­t projects overseas, once again demonstrat­ing Al Wakrah’s innovative nature and ability to connect with far-off lands.

In November 2018, the stadium received a Class A* sustainabi­lity rating from the Global Sustainabi­lity Assessment System (GSAS), recognisin­g the project’s extensive efforts to protect the environmen­t.

Improvemen­ts like these will, of course, benefit Al Wakrah and Qatar far beyond 2022.

Both by protecting the environmen­t now and demonstrat­ing how it can be done, Al Janoub and all of our Qatar 2022 stadiums are creating a better future for generation­s to come.

It’s not just visitors from overseas who can enjoy this wonderful venue.

A school, a wedding hall, cycling, horse riding and running tracks, restaurant­s, marketplac­es, gyms and parkland are just some of the new amenities that are being developed to accompany Al Janoub Stadium. Sport Page 1

 ?? PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil ?? Inside view of the futuristic Al Janoub Stadium.
PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Inside view of the futuristic Al Janoub Stadium.

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