A computer-generated image of the new Al Wakrah Stadium, one of the six new venues planned for 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar. The stadium, which captures the essence of the traditional dhow, can seat 40,000. The stadium will be ready by 2018.
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Qatar will deliver their first 2022 FIFA World Cup venue four years ahead of schedule when the brand new Al Wakrah Stadium welcomes football fans in 2018, this was announced yesterday.
With a seating capacity of 40,000, Al Wakrah Stadium will house a couple of climate controlled practice pitches besides a four-star hotel and an assortment of support facilities that would be nothing short of architectural marvels, Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee said yesterday.
“We will deliver our first World Cup venue - the Al Wakrah Stadium in 2018,” Al Thawadi said as he unveiled plans of the new facility.
Work on the stadium will start next year, Al Thawadi said.
“The top tiers of the stadium will be modular which will allow us to lower the capacity to 20,000 after the 2022 World Cup,” Al Thawadi added.
“This is how our legacy will work. We want our venues to be useful once we are done with the World Cup. We will ship 20,000 seats to lesser developed countries,” Al Thawadi said.
AECOM, in association with Zaha Hadid Architects, have developed the new, innovative design, Al Thawadi said.
Al Wakrah – famous for its fishing and seafaring heritage – is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Doha.
Al Wakrah has served as a vital commercial port and a gateway to the capital throughout Qatar’s history.
Al Wakrah’s tradition is reflected in the stadium design, which captures the essence of the traditional dhow, an Arabian pearl fishing boat, Al Thawadi told a news conference held at Torch Doha Hotel.
The design of the stadium and the development of an approximately 585,000 m2 precinct area surrounding it will embrace the cultural heritage of Al Wakrah and the adjacent historical settlement of Al Wukair.
The new Al Wakrah Stadium will have a multipurpose indoor arena with two halls, four tennis courts, two basketball courts a hospitality vocational training centre and an international school for 1,000 pupils incorporating a 400m running track, Al Thawadi pointed out.
“Today’s announcement constitutes the first in an upcoming series of progress-related events and initiatives as we enter the early phase of delivering the promises we made to FIFA and the international football community during the bid,” Al Thawadi said. “We are proud to reveal what we believe is a truly unique stadium design and surrounding precinct that will serve the population and act as a social hub for the community of Al Wakrah, and Qatar as a whole, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and for the years to follow.
“The stadium reflects what our country stands for from a cultural perspective. It is modern, futuristic and functional. But importantly, it remains true to Qatari heritage with the design and materials inspired by the traditional dhow boat,” the Q22 official said.
AECOM Chairman and CEO John Dionisio said the new stadium will set a benchmark in the way new technology is used to build sports venues in the future.
“We believe the planning and design for the Al Wakrah Stadium and precinct clearly establishes an international benchmark for sports venues in the region,” Dionisio said.
“We are delighted to be involved with the 2022 FIFA World Cup programme and to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee in reaching its vision.
“This is an exciting time for Qatar, and our global team of forward-thinking sports experts is well equipped to take on the innovative challenges that a project of this calibre will demand,” Dionisio added.
Al Thawadi informed international and local media that by the end of next year, Qatar would be turning a new page in its World Cup journey.
“Come 2014, we will turn a new page in this journey. We are at an advanced stage in our planning,” Al Tahwadi said.
“Al Wakrah is the first of six stadiums already in the latter stages of the design process. Our committee has issued 10 major tenders to the market encompassing project and design managers and stadium-operation consultants.
“After a rigorous design process, undertaken by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, in coordination with its stakeholders, the local construction market will see real work and progress. Works will begin to be visible on stadium sites,” he said.
Al Thawadi said work on Al Wakrah Stadium site will begin in January, with the tender for the main contractor issued in the second quarter.
Stadium construction will begin in the fourth quarter, he said.
All construction contracts for the stadium will be issued in line with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s Workers’ Charter and Standards – developed in consultation with international human rights organisations – which will enforce best practice, in line with the government’s vision for worker welfare, and cement the tournament as a catalyst to the improvement of workers’ welfare within Qatar and the region, Al Thawadi said.
THE PENINSULA
