After learning to be leaders in their previous workshop earlier this month, it was time for the members of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) 2016 Youth Panel to get to know the inner workings of preparing for the world’s biggest football tournament.
Experts from the SC’s Tournament Operations and Planning department briefed members of this year’s 45-strong panel at Al Bidda Tower in Doha about all aspects of the preparations surrounding the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East. The presentation caused a large amount of interest from the young participants, who asked plenty of questions during the four-hour visit.
Qatari student Fatima al-Nuaimi, 17, said she was proud to be learning in-depth about her country’s preparations for 2022. “It was very satisfying to get information first hand and see that Qatar’s bid won because of its intrinsic worth over competing bids. As a Qatari I am proud now after learning about our preparations for 2022.”
Mahmoor Shahid, a 17-year-old student and Pakistan national, was excited about the volunteering opportunities associated with the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. “I am passionate about volunteering and there is no better occasion to engage in my passion than the World Cup in Qatar, where I have lived all my life.”     
The second half of the workshop was a guided tour of the Al Ahli stadium on a Qatar Stars League (QSL) match-day, to illustrate tournament operations best practices such as entry into the stadium, ticketing and security compliances, live broadcasting and press conferences.
Members of the youth panel also visited a dressing room, much to the excitement of the football lovers in the group.  Abdullah Youssif was clearly excited about the opportunity of stepping behind the scenes of a football match: “The dressing room visit was fantastic. It is the first time I have been inside a stadium dressing room and when the instructor said that all players – including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – motivate themselves ahead of stepping out into the field in more or less similar surroundings I was charged with excitement.”
SC Sports Executive Engagement Officer Aisha Jaidah said: “Members of the Youth Panel were mature beyond their years in their understanding of how the World Cup can positively impact their lives, as well as Qatar’s future. The passion and eagerness to know more about the event were evident in the series of questions that came our way following the presentation. In their roles as youth ambassadors and volunteers, they will have a massive role in ensuring the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
The SC Youth Panel is aimed at giving the youth of Qatar, from different nationalities and backgrounds, a voice in the delivery and legacy planning of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
The 2016 panel have so far interacted with renowned football executives, artists, historians, designers and civil engineers.  Six more sessions are scheduled before their graduation.