Gulf Capitals, November 21 (QNA) – Media acclaim from the Gulf region poured in over the eye-catching opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which was held Sunday at Al-Bayt Stadium in Doha.
In their cover stories, various Gulf newspapers highlighted the important messages included in the ceremony, which focused on messages of coexistence, peace and rejection of disputes.
Saudi newspapers Hails the World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony
Saudi newspapers and media outlets hailed the legendary World Cup opening ceremony and focused on the cable of thanks sent by HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, upon his departure from Doha, after attending the opening ceremony, to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The cable expressed profound thanks and appreciation for HH the Amir for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to HRH the Crown prince and the accompanying delegation, congratulating him on the success of the World Cup opening ceremony, and wishing him success and good health and the Qatari people further success, progress and prosperity.
Al Riyadh newspaper highlighted HRH the Crown Prince’s directives to all ministries and government agencies in the Kingdom to provide any further support and facilities needed by the sisterly State of Qatar, to support its efforts to host the 2022 World Cup, and for HH the Minister of Sports to follow up on that.
Under the title “Doha fascinates the world”, the daily’s cover story highlighted Qatar’s eye-catching opening ceremony of the 22nd World Cup edition and HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s speech during which His Highness welcomed the fans from worldwide, stressing that Qatar threw its full weight behind hosting an exceptional tournament in the FIFA history, voicing hopes the whole world will enjoy a dazzling soccer festival in Doha.
Al Jazeera newspaper hailed the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince, stressing that they come within the framework of the strong fraternal relations between the two sisterly countries, and that any success achieved in one country is celebrated by the other.
Al Youm newspaper affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keenness to bolster sweeping and sustainable development not only locally but at the regional and international levels as well, eyeing sports as a key investment pillar in the Crown Prince’s vision.
Under the headline “supporting brothers as approach and comprehensive ambitious vision”, the daily highlighted the crown prince’s directives for Saudi ministries and government agencies to provide all needed backing for counterpart agencies in the sisterly State of Qatar in its World Cup hosting, and for the Saudi Minister of Sports to follow up on that, stressing that the directives reflect the kingdom’s interest in sports and supporting the sisterly countries in whatever intersects with the vision to achieve a blanket renaissance that promotes regional integration.
Kuwaiti newspapers Hails the World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony
From Kuwait, Al-Qabas newspaper devoted its front page to the ceremony, saying that the World Cup 2022 tournament, which is held in Qatar, began yesterday and will go on until Dec. 18, after an amazing ceremony that carried many messages of coexistence and peace that Doha called for through the young Qatari Ghanim Al Muftah and US actor Morgan Freeman who had a brief conversation through which there was a prayer to God for the sake of coexistence and rapprochement for the advancement of human civilization.
The newspaper added that the opening ceremony of the tournament witnessed a mixture of the East, with a unique Qatari flavor, and the modernity of the West with its rapid rhythm, noting that the ceremony also included 7 scenes that were distinguished by an unprecedented visual dazzle, in addition to the inclusion of the latest lighting, sound and visual technologies in precise harmony with the movement of photography, groups and the audience on the field and in the stands.
Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida’s headlines praised Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
One headline said /Doha of the Arabs Gathers the World/, while others said /Amir Tamim: Hosting the World Cup is Message of Love and Peace to the World/, /We Are Proud of You Hosting the Most Important Event As the First Arab Country/ and/ Representative of the Amir Attends the Opening Ceremony of Qatar World Cup With Leaders/.
Al-Jarida said Qatar’s sun shone yesterday on the world and its Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced the start of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in a joyful ceremony at Al-Bayt Stadium in Doha, in the presence of a number of a world leaders and the Representative of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, Mishal Al-Ahmad, pointing out that HH the Amir sent a congratulatory message to his brother Sheikh Tamim, in which he affirmed that the sisterly State of Qatar embodied the message of love and peace for peoples of the entire world through hosting the tournament.
Kuwait’s Al Anba newspaper also focused on the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, noting that in a wonderful gesture, Qatar gave all fans present at Al-Bayt Stadium a number of souvenirs that reflect Qatari hospitality, as a bag was placed on each chair in the Stadium. These gifts will be a reminder of the opening ceremony of the World Cup, capturing the essence of Arab and Islamic history with its immortal roots.
Omani newspapers Hails the World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony
Omani newspapers also highlighted the historic opening of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, devoting large areas of their front pages to cover the news of the launch of the tournament.
Under the headline “Opening is Done… Qatar Dazzles the World”, the Oman newspaper said that the moment that the Qataris and the world has been waiting for 12 years has come, and the 22nd edition of the World Cup, hosted by the sisterly State of Qatar, kicked off and dazzled the world in the opening ceremony which consisted of a seven scenes combining Qatari traditions and global culture.
The sports section of the Oman newspaper said that Qatar organized a brilliant opening ceremony for the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup, which started on Sunday and will continue until Dec. 18. The opening ceremony began with a lyrical piece from the heritage and afterward a group of dance performances that ignited the enthusiasm of the crowd.
The opening ceremony also witnessed a special display of the championship mascot, floating to the sound of music, followed by the famous movie star Morgan Freeman delivering a speech with the Goodwill Ambassador to Qatar, the young Qatari Ghanim Al Muftah.
Meanwhile, the Omani newspaper, Al-Roya, wrote on its cover page that Qatar is writing history with the legendary opening of the 2022 World Cup, a visual masterpiece attracting the attention of millions towards Al-Bayt Stadium. A variety of acts combined the East, the history of Qatar, and its story over the course of 12 years of work leading to this historical moment. Additionally, it contained shows that enhanced the customs, traditions traits of Arabs and the development and successes of the West.
The opening ceremony was distinguished by a unique visual show using modern visual and audio technology, harmonious performances, photography, movement of the groups on the field, and movement from the fans of the various countries participating in the World Cup, the paper added.
Millions around the world watched this global show, which succeeded in presenting sublime messages about the great Arab world, calling for dialogue and rapprochement between different races, linking bridges between people of different cultures and colors, and respecting and appreciating the customs and traditions of others. The tent symbolized the earth that everyone lives on. The elegant ceremony included a visual, audio, and kinetic show, during which the customs and traditions of Qatar, the Arab Gulf state, and its openness to other civilizations were integrated through the seven-act program, the paper pointed out.
The ceremony was based on the symbolism of two suspended bridges of light that represent the vast differences between people’s ideas, and how to create dialogue and understanding in order to coexist, the paper noted.
For its part, the Omani newspaper, Al-Watan, said on its front page that the opening of the World Cup in Qatar embodied dreams, communication, and memories. Held at Al-Bayt Stadium, the ceremony witnessed a unique blend between the East, with Qatari flavors, and the modernity of the West, with its rapid rhythm. The ceremony, which preceded the opening match between the hosts Qatar and Ecuador in Group A, was distinguished by striking visuals that used the latest lighting, sound, and visual tricks in precise harmony with the movement of photography, groups, and the audience on the field and the stands.
The show presented an important message emanating from the Arab world to the whole world. Through it, was an invitation to unite everyone, connect bridges between all different races, cultures, colors, and nationalities, and fill all distances with acceptance, respect, and coexistence, the paper said.
The paper stated that the narration of the ceremony was based on a strong, visual concept and varied and specialized musical project, merging Qatari traditions with global culture through the seven-act program.
(QNA)