Doha, November 22 (QNA) – Qatari diplomatic missions have continued their celebrations to mark the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by hosting a variety of events and activities on the occasion.
The Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Russian Federation hosted a celebration on the occasion attended by HE Russian Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin, HE Special Representative of the Russian President and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov, a number of Their Excellencies heads of the diplomatic missions, and a number of athletes and Russian media representatives.
In a speech on the occasion, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Russian Federation Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to sports and athletes, noting that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is a global event that is held for the first time in the Middle East.
HE the Ambassador said that Qatar World Cup will introduce the world to the economic, cultural and urban renaissance in the State of Qatar.
For his part, HE Russian Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin congratulated the State of Qatar on hosting this global sporting event, noting that Russia has supported, and still support the Qatari partners, and has provided all the assistance that Qatar needed.
He expressed his confidence in Qatar’s ability to organize the World Cup at the highest level, and to provide the opportunity for millions of guests to discover its excellence and hospitality.
In Vienna, the Embassy of the State of Qatar hosted a grand reception on the occasion of the kickstart of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in the presence of a number of Their Excellencies officials at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads and representatives of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Austria and international organizations, public figures, members of the Arab community, and staff of the embassy and their families.
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Austria and Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna, Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri, said in his opening speech at the ceremony that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Than promised to present an exceptional World Cup, and this promise has already been fulfilled.
HE the Ambassador underlined that the opening of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is an unforgettable historical event for sports, and aims to promote a culture of tolerance and understanding among peoples; noting that the tournament is the first major event that brings the world together and unites it after years of suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His Excellency noted that it is the first time that the World Cup finals are held in an Arab country, and emphasized the role of sport and football in particular in promoting peace and development.
HE the Qatari Ambassador highlighted the investments made by the State of Qatar in infrastructure, and the construction of stadiums that reflected the history and culture of Qatar; pointing out that the design of all eight World Cup stadiums maintained carbon neutrality and took into account sustainability standards. Some of these stadiums will be dismantled after the tournament to support sports infrastructure in developing countries.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Hellenic Republic organized a celebration on the occasion of the launch of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The event was attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Hellenic Republic Waleed bin Mohammed Al Emadi, and a number of Their Excellencies heads of Arab and Islamic diplomatic missions and countries whose teams are participating in the tournament. The attendees watched the opening ceremony and the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador.
In Nairobi, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Kenya and Qatar Airways organized a ceremony on the occasion of the opening of Qatar World Cup.
The ceremony was opened by HE Qatar’s Ambassador to Kenya Jabor bin Ali Al Dosari, in the presence of HE Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya Amason Jeffah Kingi, a number of politicians, Their Excellencies Kenyan MPs, heads of diplomatic missions, and representatives of regional and international organizations, as well as local media and staff of the embassy.
In Addis Ababa, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia organized a celebration on the occasion of the kickstart of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The ceremony was attended by HE Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports Kejela Merdasa as a guest of honor, and a number of government officials and ambassadors accredited to Ethiopia.
The Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a ceremony on the occasion of the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
A number of Their Excellencies officials and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the Netherlands attended the ceremony.
In Tbilisi, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to Georgia also held a ceremony on the occasion attended by a number of Their Excellencies officials in Georgia and heads of accredited diplomatic missions.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in New Delhi hosted a ceremony on the occasion of the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies heads of diplomatic missions accredited to India.
In Asuncion, the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Paraguay held a celebration on the occasion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The ceremony was attended by a number of officials and Their Excellencies heads of diplomatic missions, international organizations and businessmen.
The Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Peru also hosted a reception on the occasion of the kickstart of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The ceremony was attended by a number of government officials in the Republic of Peru, and Their Excellencies heads and members of diplomatic missions accredited to Peru.
(QNA)