The countdown has begun for the inauguration of Al Wakrah Stadium, which is in its final phase of completion.
It is one of the stadiums that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The stadium is a few days away from achieving the dream of becoming the first such facility built from scratch in Qatar according to the standards adopted by FIFA.
It will be officially opened for the 2019 Amir Cup final on May 16.
The Al Wakrah Stadium is the second World Cup stadium to be completed after Khalifa International Stadium in May 2017. The installation of its pitch was completed in a world record time of just 9 hours and 15 minutes.
Al Wakrah Stadium Project Manager at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Thani al-Zarraa, said achieving a world record was not the actual aim – mainly it was a trial to see what would happen in the event of an emergency during the World Cup and how to deal with it in light of hosting the matches during a busy schedule in addition to knowing the feasibility of changing the pitch in a short period.
The stadium, which is inspired by the design of a dhow boat inverted for maintenance, will be a qualitative addition to Al Wakrah as it will offer many facilities around the stadium which will be operational before and after the World Cup. These facilities include cycling and running tracks, a multipurpose indoor arena, mosque, wedding hall and market. Visitors and fans during the World Cup will be able to spend their time in the stadium facilities before and after matches.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency, al-Zarraa said one of the most important objectives of Al Wakrah Stadium is to use it for social activities on a daily basis and not just for sports purposes. Feasibility studies have focused on the importance of the state and the people of the area benefiting from the project as a kind of sustainable heritage underpinned by all SC projects, he said.