A year after hosting an exceptional FIFA World Cup for the first time in the Middle East, Qatar is hosting AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. The inauguration ceremony held yesterday was a splendid show for millions of football fans who watched the event live or on screens across the world.
Drawing inspiration from the mythical tales of “Kalila and Dimna,” the ceremony not only enthralled the audience with captivating artistic and visual displays, but also conveyed unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 that got underway with a magnificent opening ceremony under the slogan “Come on Asia”, followed by Qatar’s dominant 3-0 victory over Lebanon in the inaugural match at Lusail Stadium last evening.
The opening ceremony was also attended by President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and President of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, along with dignitaries from brotherly and friendly countries, heads of delegations, and heads of Arab and foreign Olympic committees and associations, and a huge audience.
The ceremony commenced with artistic and cultural performances, featuring live segments that highlighted the significant literary heritage of Asia, in addition to narrative chapters inspired by the diverse and rich cultures of the participating countries. Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme set the stage with a soul-stirring song, heralding the transformation of the stadium into a colossal theatre featuring iconic animal characters from the renowned book, accompanied by an exhilarating lightshow and fireworks.
Enriched by the participation of accomplished artists such as Nasser Al Kubaisi, Mishal Al Dosari, Dana Al Meer from Qatar, and Hammoud Al Khader from Kuwait, the ceremony unfolded as a musical odyssey traversing the stories of the 4th century from the Asian continent, presented in five captivating story chapters. The iconic venue that staged the memorable FIFA World Cup 2022 final once again took the centre stage as around 82,490 spectators turned out to watch another show of brilliance by the hosts, experiencing a unique opening ceremony supplemented by dazzling fireworks.
A poignant moment underscored the opening ceremony as Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos relinquished the traditional duty of delivering the championship oath to the captain of Team Palestine, Musab Al Battat. Al Haydos, emphasizing the customary role of the host nation’s captain, expressed it as an honour and graciously passed the torch to Al Battat, creating a powerful sports scene in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Featuring a total of 24 teams, the Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will feature a total of 51 matches to be played at nine world class stadiums in Qatar, concluding with the final to be played at Lusail Stadium on February 10.
