The year 2000 marked a new and exciting era for the city of Doha. After competing with a number of Asian cities to host the 15th Asian Games, Doha succeeded in gaining the majority of votes, becoming the first city in its region and only the second in West Asia since Iran in 1974 to hold this prestigious international event. Shortly thereafter, the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) was established chaired by the Heir Apparent of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee is responsible for the overall planning, overseeing, and executing of all the elements to produce a harmonised and triumphant event. The success of the Games will project Qatar’s flourishing and unlimited capabilities and present it as a significant hub for sports, technology, education and tourism.
The First Asian Games took place in New Delhi in 1951 and welcomed 11 countries playing in just six sports. Now, 55 years later, the 15th Doha Asian Games 2006 is expecting 45 different countries who will participate in 33 competitive sports. The number of women athletes has been steadily rising over the years and Qatar expects around 2000 female athletes in 2006.
DAGOC amazed spectators at the 14th Asian Games 2002 in Busan, Korea, by organising a display of cultural exhibits. A Qatari dance troupe consisting of 24 boys and girls participated in the ceremonies that took place over the course of the fortnight. A cultural day was planned to showcase the traditions and heritage of Qatari society. This included a henna tattoo artist adorning eager visitors with delicate designs.
Glowing after its triumph of 17 medals at the 14th Asian Games 2002 in Busan, leading the overall medal tally for GCC countries, and being selected as the Host City for 2006, Doha began buzzing with various activities in preparation for the Games.
Relatively small at 11,437 square Kilometres, Qatar has proved itself as a pivotal hub for various events, conferences and tournaments. So far it has been the meeting place for The Islamic Conference Summit, The World Trade Organisation Conference, The World Football Cup (Under 19’s), The Athletics Grand Prix, The Tennis Open, The Squash Tournament, and The Golf Masters Tournament in addition to many others. However, nothing has compared to the enormity of the Asian Games.
Alongside the Doha Asian Games, a youth camp is also expected to take place, to unite the youths of Asia. It will be held a week prior to the commencement of Doha 2006 and will demonstrate the breadth of Qatari sport and culture. The aim of the camp is to enhance friendship, love and understanding in order to promote cooperation among the children of Asia. The youth camp will be held at the Sea Line Beach Resort in Umm Said, a 45-minute drive from the city of Doha.
The Games are set to take place between the 1st and 15th of December 2006 and DAGOC is diligently working to use every minute of the time left. Around 30 sports facilities will accommodate the athletes’ requirements, 14 multipurpose stadiums are already scattered around Doha and are being refurbished to meet the demands.
With a budget of US$2.8 billion being invested to turn the region’s sporting capital into one of the most modern sporting cities in the world; work has started on constructing the Khalifa Sports City. This will include the outstanding 50,000-seater Khalifa Stadium, an Olympic standard aquatic centre and a massive indoor sports hall. The pioneering Academy Indoor Hall—a landmark 250-metre clear span dome—will cover a full-size football stadium for 6,000 spectators, a second 5,000-seat arena, plus extensive training and administration facilities.
An Athlete’s Village is being built to house the different nationalities, religions and races of the athletes and officials pouring into Doha. The Village will be located in the centre of Doha, adjacent to Hamad Hospital and is easily accessible to all the sports venues. Around 10,000 athletes and officials will stay in the Village during the Asian Games and will be able to take advantage of the shopping facilities, telecommunications systems, training sites, informational services, and recreational areas comprised there. For security reasons the Village will operate on a zone basis. The zones will be divided into: residential, international and the Asian Games Park. Careful consideration has been implemented to ensure the utmost comfort and freedom for the athletes, officials and their families.
The Village is expected to be finished by the end of 2005 and planners have designed it so that it can be converted into a state of the art medical facility at the end of the Asian Games 2006.
Although Qatar is one of the safest countries on the planet, security for the Doha Asian Games will be planned and executed to the highest standards, without infringing on people’s freedom. The State of Qatar has gained vast experience and a great reputation for providing security to major international, continental and regional events held in the country and this knowledge shall be carried forth towards ensuring Doha 2006 is a secure and safe environment. So far some measures include building a main command and control centre, in addition to smaller command and control centres in each venue. State of the art security equipment is also expected, such as CCTV cameras, car trackers and metal detectors.
Around 5,000 media organisations, journalists and accredited broadcasters are expected to cover the Doha Asian Games 2006. Television and Radio transmission, both live and recorded will be broadcast from the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC). Print media representatives will be publishing and distributing all the event information from the Main Press Centre (MPC). Both the IBC and MPC will be set up by DAGOC at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre.
An international tender for Host Broadcasting Services has already been issued, since February 2004, with a plan to award a contract by the first week of July 2004.
The awarding of a contact for the development and operation of an integrated Games information and Games Management System is expected by June 2004.
April 2004 saw the launch of the Doha Asian Games 2006 logo and corporate identity. The logo portrays the environment of the host city and projects its natural treasures. The shape of the logo signifies an athlete in motion—one who takes on challenges and defeats all obstacles in his/her way.
The colours used in the logo pertain to Qatar, with the yellow depicting the famous crescent shaped sand dunes of the desert and the blue reflecting the calm blue sea of the Arabian Gulf. The sun represents the warm spirit of Asia.
The corporate identity reflects the dichotomy of Doha as being a modern city flourishing in its growth, while still adhering to its cultural traditions and beliefs.
International press conferences are being organised in key locations around Asia in May, to launch the look of the Doha Asian Games 2006 and disperse the Doha Asian Games 2006 corporate identity to the Asian community.
The month of May also sees another significant milestone, a delegation from DAGOC will be travelling to Lausanne, Switzerland to meet with The General Association of International Sports Federations, (GAISF) a federation which regroups over 120 Olympic recognised, sports federations and is the highest sports federation in the world. Also attending the meeting will be International Olympic Committee (IOC) members and the IOC Executive Board as well as numerous renowned figures in sports.
However, the real impact of the Games will be evident in 2006, where spectators the globe over will witness the action packed thrills of skilful sport mixed with cultural entertainment in a country where momentous aspirations are attainable.
Asian Games Village |