QOC secretary general HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and GORD’s founding chairman Dr. Yousef Mohamed Alhorr at the press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed

By Sports Reporter/Doha


As an institution that is working tirelessly to promote environmentally-responsible energy and resource-efficient building practices in the MENA region, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD) announced recognition of Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiya Arena and Lusail Sports Arena as the first in the MENA region to achieve 4 stars in sustainability standards based on GSAS rating system.
The recognition was announced by QOC secretary general HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and GORD’s founding chairman Dr. Yousef Mohamed Alhorr at the Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiya Arena yesterday.
GORD assessed detailed designs and audited the construction of the facilities to ensure accomplishment of GSAS 4 Stars rating for the venues.
GSAS Sports is used to rate sports facilities of all types and sizes during multiple phases including design, construction, operations and legacy use.
On this occasion, Sheikh Saoud said: “We are proud of this achievement, considering it is the first time the ratings have been achieved in sports facilities in the Middle East, and that in turn promotes Qatar’s National Vision 2030. The perception stands for preserving  the basic environmental  values, with a clear message to the international community that the State of Qatar seeks to harness all the possibilities to promote sport with protection of environment in mind.’’
Dr. Alhorr said: “Qatar Olympic Committee stadiums achieving GSAS 4 stars was a great challenge since we had to take into consideration many stringent standards such as reducing energy and water usage, preserving natural resources, indoor environment, and management and operation.”
Sheikh Saoud added: “We would like to thank design firms, construction companies and GORD for their great efforts to achieve these high sustainability standards. We’d like to dedicate this success to the sports community locally and internationally.”
The various types of sport facilities include outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas, and outdoor courses. There are specific components and factors to be taken into considering, including, outdoor and indoor competition area, swimming pool, ice rink, fitness suites, locker facilities, retail spaces, offices, restaurants, common areas, laundry, public bathrooms, animal facilities, competition venue and sports facility related landscaping, among other things.
GSAS Sports measurements were determined through detailed evaluation of the building type, functional components, operational considerations, and scale considerations. Additionally, the ratings were also based on the facilities’ original design intent and the intended legacy use.