Qatar has become a hub for global sports: Senegal envoy
Senegalese ambassador in Doha Dr Mouhamed Habibou Diallo has underlined that Qatar has proven its ability to consolidate sports diplomacy and has become a hub for global sport by organising the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said that Qatar has proven to the world its worthiness to host the World Cup, referring to its successive accomplishments in organising regional, continental and international sports tournaments.
He urged everyone to enjoy the tournament in Qatar and to respect its principles as a host country, and looked forward for the event to remain immortal in the memory of global sports, and an occasion to strengthen relations between countries.
He praised the acceleration of work and the great readiness of the World Cup facilities and the State as a whole to host the world’s most prominent sporting event, adding that Qatar has completed its logistical and security preparations necessary for the convenience of visitors and fans of the tournament, making the 2022 World Cup, which Qatar hosts as the first Arab Muslim country in history, a unique event.
The ambassador expressed his happiness with Senegal’s appearance in this major international sporting event among 32 countries; noting that Senegalese fans, both from Senegal and those residing the GCC, Europe and the USA, will support their team.
He said that Senegal aspires to be a good representative of the African continent through sports achievements and artistic performances that reflect the African culture along with other qualified African countries, namely Morocco, Ghana, Tunisia, and Cameroon.
He noted that Senegal’s participation in Qatar World Cup will be its third World Cup appearance. The team qualified for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and managed to reach the quarterfinals. Senegal also appeared in Russia 2018 but left the race in early stages.
The ambassador expressed the hope that Senegal will qualify for advanced stages in Qatar World Cup because its national team is capable for that and have professional players who play in the most prestigious European clubs such as Bayern Munich, Manchester United and other Spanish, Italian, French and British clubs.