It is now official. Russia is going to hold 2018 and Qatar the 2022 world cup football. FIFA has very dramatically ditched the so called football loving nations and have voted Russia and Qatar ahead of England, USA, Spain/ Portugal and so on.
What was surprising was the fact that England supported by their 'Three Lions' namely David Cameroon, Prince William and the so called football legend David Beckham got only 2 votes and were eliminated in the first round. They had the best technical bid but they still lost and lost very badly.
Sporting events such as the world cup football are supposed to give huge economic boost by way of increased tourism which results in use of local facilities and helps showcase the world what the country is capable of doing. South Africa was a great example where the last world cup was held. No one had expected that a country like South Africa can host such a sporting event. Not only did they host it but it was a very successful one and each and every person who has something to do with football not only enjoyed watching it but also praised the efforts of this great African nation.
Taking South Africa as an example, do we really think England, Portugal/ Spain or any of the other European nations really deserved to hold the world cup? Specially given the 2012 olympics are going to be held in England already. They have their own issues be it economic or political. Euro countries are being bailed out in the wake of an economic crisis, rumours in the media about corruption, already hosting a major event in 2012 and has held a world cup in the past in 1966. I guess the more deserving after Russia would probably be Portugal/Spain and still not England.
Having the world cup in Russia has its disadvantages but those disadvantages would actually be advantages for a number of people out there based in Central Asia. So why think one sided? Why not step into other's shoes and think big. Having a world cup in Russia would open them to a large number of foreigners. 'Ready to inspire' was their bid motto and let's hope we all get inspired when we see the world cup in 2018. Beware that the country is expensive though!
Qatar on the other hand lost to USA in the final round with Qatar getting 14 votes and USA only managed to secure 8 votes. Again keeping in view the example of England and Russia, USA by no means deserved to hold the world cup in 2022. It is still a long way to go but I think Qatar truly has the potential and the ability to hold such a large sporting event. At the same time, it will give all the more benefits to Qatar which is currently thriving on its oil and gas reserves and turning out to be a big middle eastern giant. It doesn't have any issues as its neighbouring gulf countries, it is a true investor friendly and above all is the first Muslim state who will hold this major sporting event. If anyone deserved it was Qatar!
Obama slammed football officials claiming FIFA made the wrong decision to award Qatar with the 2022 world cup. They should have thought about this even before they decided on bidding. What were they thinking? Why on earth would the USA get to host the world cup 2022? Does it really need it? The answers to all this is that USA is one of the super powers in the world, doesn't match with the FIFA objectives and is not one of the emerging countries. It already has its fair share of economy, tourisms (if they give visas!) and football. If you have any doubts on Qatar look at this website http://www.qatar2022bid.com/ which gives all the more details on their bid.
Don't forget to click on the 'stadiums' link and look at the beautiful stadiums that either Qatar has or will build by the time of this event. What that means is jobs, eradication of poverty and economic uplift in this truly great country that has worked hard to overcome any economic recession and is a legend on its own.
Disclaimer: These are authors' own comments and opinions.
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