‘It Is Also Your World Cup'
Sportstar|March 9, 2019

Qatar World Cup 2022 CEO Nasser Al Khater who was present at the Sportstar Aces Awards, supported by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, in association with MRF, briefed the audience about his nation’s sporting journey. Here’s the transcript of his speech.

‘It Is Also Your World Cup'

Good evening,

To be honest with you, this is my first time in Mumbai. I have a speech prepared but the warm welcome that I received from everybody was very heartwarming that I took the decision, probably against my team here, to speak off the cuff. Luckily, I don’t resemble (Donald) Trump in anyway, so I think it will be pretty sane. (laughs)

The chief minister, who hopefully will join us, I would like to send him our regards, sports people of India, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the management of the sports awards, thank you for inviting us here and thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak. I am humbled by being here, in this amazing city, in this iconic hotel.

I would like to tell you a little bit about our project. I am very lucky, because over the past few weeks we have been a country [Qatar] elated, elated by a win that was unexpected and elated by a win that we didn’t think was ever possible.

One thing that I also found in that tournament, which is the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in the UAE, was that India put up a very strong fight, and almost qualified for the next round. And also in 2016, they went to the second round of the Under­16 Asian World Cup and that’s an indication of something.

Esta historia es de la edición March 9, 2019 de Sportstar.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 9, 2019 de Sportstar.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SPORTSTARVer todo
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ minutos  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 14, 2019