Hello everyone, sorry for being late with the reply. As the replies to my post were long, I needed to have some time before I made replies. I didn’t want the replies to be ambiguous. Anyways.
Sutcliffe and Cyberentity, Qatar has already approved plans for a Doha metro public transport system sometime back. I had read about it somewhere and just read the internet. Maybe you could find some details in here. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=554046
PM, thank you so much for branding me as ‘delusional’. I’m in fact just trying to see the positives of a country to which I owe my bread and butter. I personally believe that there’s no point in cribbing about a country AND staying there to earn a living. The day I start hating Qatar, I’ll leave. I’ve made up my mind on that.
Like you so rightly pointed out, there are people who are not comfortable with the level of ‘opening up’ this country is doing. All I have to say is “hey, no one’s perfect!”. And since Rome wasn’t built in a day, NEITHER will Doha be. It’s only still learning to stand on its two feet as a developed society. Try to stop being so critical about everything happening here. They may be far from perfect, but they’re reaching there.
Dali, I like your comments. They may be long, but they are expressive and explains in detail to people who are not quite sharp (like me) and needs to read them twice before comprehending.
You said a majority of Qataris are against alcohol. Is that assumption based on personal experiences, a survey, or just a ‘sweeping statement’? I’m asking because I’ve come across several locals, who while they don’t drink themselves, have no problems mingling with people who do. Some of them do come from traditional families. But they’re better educated and know how things work. With the kind of money Qatar is spending for Western education here, I’m sure the culture would have changed significantly in 13 years.
(As I came to the later part of your argument, I felt you were trying to say that alcohol isn’t necessary at all. Well, I’ll hold my reservations on that. It does have a part to play which makes a World Cup a World Cup. All I’m saying is that wouldn’t be the main problem affecting Qatar’s bid).
And pardon me about the ‘us’ usage. Since I’m a sports journalist, I’d felt very attached to the Doha bid. I was positively pissed when Doha was overlooked over lesser bid files. I still cannot see it as ‘their’ bid. For me, it always was and still is ‘my’ bid and hence injustice done to ‘us’.
Gadarene, on the outset, I would request you to break your sentences into paragraphs so that it is easier on the eye. I often got lost in that long-winding answer of yours. Don’t get me wrong, I like them (my this answer would prove that), but it’d be much easier if it was not so cluttered.
As to your argument, I think you’ve got your facts wrong. New Delhi, India, was eliminated after the FIRST round, with just two votes. The major competition was between Malaysia and Qatar. Qatar got 22 votes (out of 41). OCA rules state that a country getting more than half the votes will be the winners. Malaysia felt they were wronged, but they produced no evidence to support claims of ‘fat cheques’ being exchanged.
As to the attendance of the Games itself, I agree there was a lot left to be desired. And you think the authorities are ignorant about that fact? Then think again. It was an eye-opener for the organisers. They’re trying to bring in the crowd, but the absence of a genuine sports culture has failed them. But they’re trying… the ASPIRE Academy and the Qatar Olympic Committee’s Schools Olympic Programme are all part of it. The past may not have been bright, but the future does indeed look promising. So the next high-profile event (like the 2022 WC) may not be necessarily a disaster as you think it might be.
And I STRONGLY disagree with you for saying that they feel ‘money can buy anything’. If anything at all, they’re learning that money CANNOT buy everything. Don’t you think that’s the reason why they’re emphasising on sports and education, two of the most visible and common parameters for assessing a society’s development? I’m saying that you’re seeing the tree, but not the forest. They are building a sports culture from scratch. You may not see it happening overnight, but a few years could make a world of difference…
Aviduser, the AC Milan game was here and I think it was pretty well-managed, no? And this game is at the Khalifa Stadium and that may pose a challenge. But then they managed several other big events, like the Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies itself, the Emir’s Cup and a few others. Sure, it may be a more difficult event, but I sincerely feel you’re overreacting about this going to be a publicity nightmare. I don’t believe that. I’ll believe it when I see it, while reporting the match.
AND Aviduser, I wish you’d be more careful about what you write. You’ve got your facts wrong and accuse the ‘England vs Brazil game’ as a bone thrown by FIFA to this country.
If that was intended to be a joke, it was deeply offending. If it was not, then I’ll seriously ask you to consider a bit more before you write. There are people, including me, who respect you for your intelligent writing. Please don’t let such ‘off the cuff’ remarks change that. This article will show that you may have been mistaken… http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1212651/Charles-Sale-E...
Aviduser, I do agree that housing shortage will be a problem. And I cannot think of anything at present that could take care of the problem. But at the same time, I also feel its not impossible. The authorities will have to think up of unique ways. But they will, for sure. I’m at least optimistic.
Sorry for the long reply, guys. I shall retire for the night. I’ll read the replies tomorrow and possibly post later. Once again, sorry for the rant.
Hello everyone, sorry for being late with the reply. As the replies to my post were long, I needed to have some time before I made replies. I didn’t want the replies to be ambiguous. Anyways.
Sutcliffe and Cyberentity, Qatar has already approved plans for a Doha metro public transport system sometime back. I had read about it somewhere and just read the internet. Maybe you could find some details in here. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=554046
PM, thank you so much for branding me as ‘delusional’. I’m in fact just trying to see the positives of a country to which I owe my bread and butter. I personally believe that there’s no point in cribbing about a country AND staying there to earn a living. The day I start hating Qatar, I’ll leave. I’ve made up my mind on that.
Like you so rightly pointed out, there are people who are not comfortable with the level of ‘opening up’ this country is doing. All I have to say is “hey, no one’s perfect!”. And since Rome wasn’t built in a day, NEITHER will Doha be. It’s only still learning to stand on its two feet as a developed society. Try to stop being so critical about everything happening here. They may be far from perfect, but they’re reaching there.
Dali, I like your comments. They may be long, but they are expressive and explains in detail to people who are not quite sharp (like me) and needs to read them twice before comprehending.
You said a majority of Qataris are against alcohol. Is that assumption based on personal experiences, a survey, or just a ‘sweeping statement’? I’m asking because I’ve come across several locals, who while they don’t drink themselves, have no problems mingling with people who do. Some of them do come from traditional families. But they’re better educated and know how things work. With the kind of money Qatar is spending for Western education here, I’m sure the culture would have changed significantly in 13 years.
(As I came to the later part of your argument, I felt you were trying to say that alcohol isn’t necessary at all. Well, I’ll hold my reservations on that. It does have a part to play which makes a World Cup a World Cup. All I’m saying is that wouldn’t be the main problem affecting Qatar’s bid).
And pardon me about the ‘us’ usage. Since I’m a sports journalist, I’d felt very attached to the Doha bid. I was positively pissed when Doha was overlooked over lesser bid files. I still cannot see it as ‘their’ bid. For me, it always was and still is ‘my’ bid and hence injustice done to ‘us’.
Gadarene, on the outset, I would request you to break your sentences into paragraphs so that it is easier on the eye. I often got lost in that long-winding answer of yours. Don’t get me wrong, I like them (my this answer would prove that), but it’d be much easier if it was not so cluttered.
As to your argument, I think you’ve got your facts wrong. New Delhi, India, was eliminated after the FIRST round, with just two votes. The major competition was between Malaysia and Qatar. Qatar got 22 votes (out of 41). OCA rules state that a country getting more than half the votes will be the winners. Malaysia felt they were wronged, but they produced no evidence to support claims of ‘fat cheques’ being exchanged.
As to the attendance of the Games itself, I agree there was a lot left to be desired. And you think the authorities are ignorant about that fact? Then think again. It was an eye-opener for the organisers. They’re trying to bring in the crowd, but the absence of a genuine sports culture has failed them. But they’re trying… the ASPIRE Academy and the Qatar Olympic Committee’s Schools Olympic Programme are all part of it. The past may not have been bright, but the future does indeed look promising. So the next high-profile event (like the 2022 WC) may not be necessarily a disaster as you think it might be.
And I STRONGLY disagree with you for saying that they feel ‘money can buy anything’. If anything at all, they’re learning that money CANNOT buy everything. Don’t you think that’s the reason why they’re emphasising on sports and education, two of the most visible and common parameters for assessing a society’s development? I’m saying that you’re seeing the tree, but not the forest. They are building a sports culture from scratch. You may not see it happening overnight, but a few years could make a world of difference…
Aviduser, the AC Milan game was here and I think it was pretty well-managed, no? And this game is at the Khalifa Stadium and that may pose a challenge. But then they managed several other big events, like the Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies itself, the Emir’s Cup and a few others. Sure, it may be a more difficult event, but I sincerely feel you’re overreacting about this going to be a publicity nightmare. I don’t believe that. I’ll believe it when I see it, while reporting the match.
AND Aviduser, I wish you’d be more careful about what you write. You’ve got your facts wrong and accuse the ‘England vs Brazil game’ as a bone thrown by FIFA to this country.
If that was intended to be a joke, it was deeply offending. If it was not, then I’ll seriously ask you to consider a bit more before you write. There are people, including me, who respect you for your intelligent writing. Please don’t let such ‘off the cuff’ remarks change that. This article will show that you may have been mistaken…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1212651/Charles-Sale-E...
Aviduser, I do agree that housing shortage will be a problem. And I cannot think of anything at present that could take care of the problem. But at the same time, I also feel its not impossible. The authorities will have to think up of unique ways. But they will, for sure. I’m at least optimistic.
Sorry for the long reply, guys. I shall retire for the night. I’ll read the replies tomorrow and possibly post later. Once again, sorry for the rant.