By Raynald C Rivera 
DOHA: Stadiums in Qatar will be accessible to the disabled and will function as a social hub as well, says a senior Qatari official.
“We want to make sure that the stadiums will leave a lasting legacy to be used by all people in Qatar regardless of age, race, ability or gender. As a committee in charge of the design and construction of the stadiums, we have to think about the accessibility of our stadiums,” said Ghanim Al Kuwari, Competition Venues Executive Director at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC).
Accessibility is already being implemented in the design of the stadiums, said Al Kuwari, while addressing a press conference on the ‘Unlimited Doha Design Prize’ yesterday at La Cigale Hotel.
“For example, Khalifa Stadium, which is already an existing stadium, has been enhanced to make its facilities accessible. We have upgraded Khalifa Stadium by providing more seats for the disabled, and ensuring they have a good view to be able to watch the matches just like any ordinary person,” he explained.
Al Kuwari stressed it is their aim to change people’s perception of stadiums from a place solely for sports events to a centre for social events and activities. “What we are aiming for is to bring the whole country in the stadiums. For example, the stadiums in Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Lusail and Al Khor will be used not only for sport matches, tournaments or any other sport events. They will also be used for any social event so that families will be able to go to the stadiums to engage in many activities,” he said.
After World Cup 2022, the upper tier of the Al Wakrah Stadium will reduce the seating capacity from 40,000 to 20,000 seats, he said, adding the surrounding area will have other features such as a community market, a wedding hall and multipurpose indoor arena where people can gather turning it into a social hub accessible to everyone.
“In coordination with the Communications Department and through community engagement we have gathered all the necessary information to finalise the design and give it to the main contractors,” he said. It is already being implemented in Al Khor and Al Wakrah stadiums. The Peninsula
