Cooling technology for World Cup a challenge: Fifa official Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:08

DOHA: Implementing state-of-the-art cooling technology for World Cup 2022 remains the biggest challenge for Qatar yet the biggest legacy to the game, says a Fifa official.

“Qatar is introducing a new technology and the big challenge is to show the world it can be implemented in the game. New technology is a big risk; if it doesn’t work, it’s a big risk for everyone, if it works it will be a big change for the game,” said Harold Mayne Nicholls (pictured), Head, Fifa Inspection Group.

He was delivering a keynote on ‘Providing expert insight into Qatar’s Bid Evaluation Report’ yesterday at the Stadium and Venue Design and Development Summit Qatar on its second day at Four Seasons Hotel.

Nicholls said the success of Qatar’s new cooling technology may lead to other countries hosting football in the future whose weather makes it impossible at the moment to hold huge football events.

The cooling system is one of the challenges seen by the Ffifa for Qatar hosting World Cup 2022. Other challenges Nicholls mentioned included stadium design, transportation, hotel and accommodation and non-day games.

“The training sites are crucial along with rooms where the players will stay and the stadiums they will play,” said Nichollls, stressing the importance of the cooling technology.

With regard to stadium design, transportation and hotel and accommodation, Nicholls expressed optimism Qatar will be able to turn them into a reality.

“A total of 60,000 hotel rooms are needed but there are 84,000 under contract-more than we need. There are lots of things to do, but still lots of time. We are sure Qatar can do that,” he said.

He said Fifa will establish an office here in the coming months to coordinate with the National Olympic Committee and the government in the run-up for the World Cup 2022 especially with regard to the stadiums, three of which are to be renovated and nine to be built.

On days when there are no games, Qatar has to prepare events and other activities for the fans, said Nicholls.

Focused on the delivery of iconic stadiums, the Summit, which runs until Thursday, features Fifa committees, developers, sporting associations and specialist architects giving valuable presentations and facilitating panel discussions that explore the challenges from design concept to stadium operation and post-event use. It highlights the key solutions to the latest challenges in the Qatar’s stadium industry, including adequate master planning, implementing effective cooling and ensuring multi-functionality of venues in order to build for the future.

Some of the guest attendees include Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, Russia 2018 Local organizing Committee, Qatar Women’s Sport Committee, Jordan Football Association, Dubai Sports City, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Qatar Olympic Committee, Bahrain Football Association and UAE Football Association.

The Peninsula

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