Qatar Sporting Legacy - Dissertation Example

Sports stand to command a pivotal place in Qatar’s social and national life. One primary reason behind this phenomenon is the fact that people in the Middle East do have a special predilection for outdoor activities. The sports legacy of Qatar is a unique mix of new developments as well as age-old traditions. This is why, in the last two decades, the government of Qatar has embarked on a unique policy to promote local and international sports in Qatar (QSC, 2010).The primary thrust of this policy is to introduce and support new sports like golf, soccer and tennis, while at the same time encouraging traditional sports like camel racing and horse racing.

There is no denying the fact that modern Qatar can proudly boast of some of the best, world-class sports facilities. Qatar not only intends to promote sports within the country but also aspires to evolve into a popular tourist destination. The hosting of international sports events and competitions by Qatar has stimulated and enhanced the interest of the local population in sports (QSC, 2010). The awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar came as a surprise to most Asians, Americans, and Europeans.

However, the fact is that this Gulf state bagged this honor and privilege after years of painstaking commitment to and investment in sports. That is why Qatar was given a preference over some of the most celebrated sports hubs like the USA, Australia, South Korea and Japan. This very fact speaks a lot about the sports legacy of Qatar. This privilege was ample testament to the fact that though being a small nation of 1.7 million people, Qatar is capable of great achievements (Qatar Olympics, 2011).

FIFA World Cup and other such events will certainly give a flip to Qatar’s standing on the international stage. Modern Qatar is now being associated with high-profile sporting events and is considered to be a champion, as far as the task of committing to and supporting sports is concerned. Qatar took a big step towards expanding its sports infrastructure and developing its organizational abilities way back in 2006 when it hosted the Asian Games (Associated Press, 2006).