Qatar begins construction of new stadia for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Brazil may be all set to host the rest of the world from June 12, 2014 for a month long soccer extravaganza but Qatar, in their bid to host one of the memorable Senior Soccer World Cup in 2022, have embarked on their own preparations.
Many soccer pundits including FIFA President Sepp Blatter have described the decision to allow Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup as a mistake but Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has vowed to prove the whole world wrong with a perfect organisation come 2022.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) is the body to ensure that all preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ align with Qatar’s other development imperatives, as described in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2011-2016.
Along with its stakeholders, the SC is tasked with delivering stadia and other infrastructure for an amazing 2022 FIFA World Cup™ that will leave a lasting legacy for Qatar, the region and the world.
Workers on site during the ground breaking ceremony
Even before Brazil 2014 starts and even before Russia takes over preparations for the 2018 edition, the Qatar Supreme
Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has already broken grounds on the first
proposed Host Venue to be delivered ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The second phase
of construction is underway on-site at Al Wakrah, with HBK contracting company
carrying out the works. As a Qatari contractor, the decision to award HBK the
contract following a tender process implemented for a number of Qatari contractors
with local knowledge and proven capabilities follows the SC’s vision to develop
the private sector.
The local
construction company has begun major excavation, in preparation of the
foundations being laid in September. This latest phase of construction is
scheduled to finish around March 2015, with stadium completion expected in
2018. The early works at Al Wakrah were carried out by AMANA. Foundation work by
HBK will be marked by a ceremony in September, followed by the announcement of
the main construction company at the end of the year.
Embedded in the
contract won by HBK are the SC’s Workers’ Welfare Standards. These standards
—which are aligned with Qatari Labour Law and international best practice and
have been incorporated in all contracts —set clear guidelines that protect the
rights of workers throughout the entire chain of contracting, from recruitment
to repatriation.
Excavators at work
The 40,000-seater
New Al Wakrah Stadium, future home of Al Wakrah Sports Club, was the first of
Qatar’s FIFA World Cup™ proposed host venues to be revealed. The stadium will
be surrounded by a 560,000 m2 (60-hectare) precinct with a new sports centre
and community hub. The precinct will include a range of community facilities,
including a park, mosque, school, hotel, wedding hall, vocational training
centre and retail outlets leaving behind a true legacy for community.
Following the
tournament, the stadium’s capacity will be reduced to 20,000 with the extra
modular seats removed, re-configured and donated to countries in need of
sporting infrastructure in consultation with FIFA and the continental football
confederations. With the rigorous implementation of the Workers’ Welfare
Standards at all stages of construction, the new Al Wakrah Stadium will also
contribute to a significant legacy of enhanced workers’ welfare in the
country.
Excavators at work
