Nigerian Expats In Qatar Celebrate 55th National Day

The Giwan Hall of Radisson Blu Hotel in Doha was filled to the brim with elegantly dressed Nigerian expats and other guests on October 16 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the country’s independence. This event was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation-Qatar (NIDO-Qatar) with Lulu Hypermarket and Gulf Warehousing Company as sponsors. There are more than 7500 Nigerians living in Qatar, most of who are professionals in the fields of oil & gas, medicine, engineering, health & safety, education, hospitality, academia etc.

The event organised to mark the Independence Day of Nigeria which falls on October 1 — was an occasion for the Nigerian expats to demonstrate unity in diversity as represented by various ethnic groups in the country. Individuals and groups showcased their typical traditional heritage and culture for the audience, which included diplomats from Liberia, Swaziland, Benin Republic and the Gambia.

On this 55th anniversary of independence, the keynote speaker was HE Enoch Duchi, Charge D’Affaires of Embassy of Nigeria in Qatar. Throughout his presentation, Duchi challenged his fellow Nigerians to remember that they are in the Diaspora- and must come together to support the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I congratulate you all fellow Nigerians, brothers, sisters and friends of our dear country!

“We should be good ambassadors of Nigeria in our host country Qatar and

Amadi Nwokocha, President of Nido-Qatar in his keynote speech said: “The celebration of Nigeria @ 55 is an opportunity for critical reflection of our journey so far, and a rededication to the ideals of our founding fathers, so that their labour will not be in vain.”

Amadi said the current Executive Council of NIDO-Qatar was elected in June 2015 and commenced work to deliver the mandate of its members. He said the key challenge has been to restore the image and dignity of Nigerians in Qatar.

“We appreciate that this task cannot be accomplished overnight and, therefore, have undertaken some strategic initiatives in this process.

“We have embarked on initiation of the development of a comprehensive database of Nigerians resident in Qatar; rebranding of the organisation through redesign of the logo and rebuilding of the website.

“Also, we have opened regular engagement between the organisation and officials of the Nigerian embassy. Relations with the embassy officials have been greatly enhanced,” Amadi added.

The new logo and website of the organisation will be launched soon according to the official.

The evening included a bountiful buffet table of Nigerian foods and special cultural dances – including the Yoruba Dance Group that stole the thunder with their dance steps. The group led by Bisi Bello, an official of the association danced to the admiration of the crowd who cheered their dance steps as they rhythmically moved and swung their backside lower to the earth on the dance floor. What followed next was the spraying of Qatar Riyals to dancers as it was placed on their forehead while dancing away at the event.

Madam Gloria’s “God bless Nigeria” music captivated guests who stood up to applaud the woman who over the years had entertained Nigerian residents in Qatar selflessly.

Emmanuel Nnanyelugo’s (Push) “Yeye Boy” soundtrack was greeted with applause and BGY’s, a Yoruba music band entertained through the night with their talking drums and DJ Walexy mixed the latest jams.

There were a raffle draw and winners emerged to take home Iphone 6 plus, Ipad Air 2 and laptop with other consolation prizes for best dancer, kids and for artists.

Obasanjo meets Qatar's Assistant Foreign Minister in Doha

DOHA 

Nigeria’s former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is currently visiting Qatar where he met HE Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Thursday.

According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Obasanjo discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, in addition to issues of common interest on the African and international arenas.

The meeting was attended by a number of Foreign Ministry's officials. 

When the news of the former president reached Nigerian residents in Qatar, they were already itching to meet OBJ as he's fondly called to talk about the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari who defeated incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 election.

Nigerians resident in Qatar to vote new excos on 10 April

Just as Nigerians will go to the polls on Saturday, 11th April, 2015 to vote for gubernatorial aspirants in the 36 states of the federation, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO-Qatar) will hold a general election for elective positions on 10 April 2015 for new executives, at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Doha

The wind of change occasioned by General Muhammed Buhari upstaging President Goodluck Jonathan as President-Elect, and Jonathan's acceptance and congratulatory message to the APC candidate has galvanised Nigerians home abroad, including Nigerian residents in Qatar to clamour for change. The over 7,500 Nigerians residents in Qatar have shown they too can elect theirs peacefully. The tempo is high with the electrifying campaigns, banners, SMS messages and meetings around town ahead of the election.

One thing is certain, Nigerian residents will be better for the whole process as the new executives will be tasked to clean up and positively promote the Nigerian image as a country of Good People and Great Nation. As part of making the process peaceful, the candidates for the different positions met and promised to work with whomsoever emerge as winners.

The highpoint of the election is the presidential race between Mutiu Adedeji, a Chartered Quantity Survey, and Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Amadi Nwokocha, a chartered Accountant, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Speaking ahead of the election, Adedeji said, "I am one Nigerians who believes in our great nation, even though tribes and tongues may differ and despite the challenges we face outside our country, we remain a great people with zeal to excel in any field we may find ourselves. The Nigerian community in Qatar that I know even though far from being the ideal is good enough to identify with and be proud of. It is my belief that a big community organisation like ours needs VIBRANCY. On this note, I hereby seek your support and cooperation so that we can take NIDO-Qatar to a greater height."

"Within the 3 years that I have been in Qatar. I have had the privilege to visit and counsel people at detention camps, and have had several meetings with the Nigerian embassy officials on best ways to address some of the peculiar issues facing Nigerians in Qatar. I have also had the opportunity to assist some people, with challenges to relocate back to Nigeria," said Amadi Nwokocha. 

According to Princewill Mbah, a Nigerian, " As we go to vote on Friday, 10th April, 2015, let us have the mindset that we are all one family, we are not in any form of competition, ours supports and preferences for different candidates is not to set anybody or group against the other, or tear down NIDO-Qatar, but should be based on our knowledge and understanding of those candidates as regards leadership qualities and service, vis-a-vis meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in Qatar."

Other positions to be filled include vice-president, general secretary, assistant general secretary, financial secretary, treasurer, social secretary, public relations officers, welfare officer and chief whip.

The Nigerians Diaspora-Qatar Chapter (NIDO-Qatar) formerly the Nigerian Community in Qatar Association (Dohanaija) was formed by a group of eminent Nigerians in 2002 as a social, non-religious and non-political forum where members can mingle, get-together as well as provide support for one another.

The organisation operates as a charitable entity and its main financial sources are from fees, levies, voluntary contributions and grants.

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Qatar wrap up Asian Cup preparation with win

Qatar defeated Team Wellington in a friendly match in wild conditions at the Australian Institute of Sport to conclude their warm-up for Qatar's Asian Cup campaign on Monday, which opens against the United Arab Emirates at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The match against ASB Premiership leaders was tough and keenly contested, exactly what coach Djamel Belmadi wanted to test his team.

Qatar scored early goals and a disallowed Team Wellington goal meant the Gulf Cup of Nations champions led 2-0 at halftime. First was Ibrahim Majed’s glancing header that beat Michael O'Keefe following a free kick from Hassan Haydos.

The second goal by Meshaal Abdullah showed how strong and confident the Al Ahli striker been recently. He received a through pass from Khalfan Ibrahim and moved on his stride into the box, staving off the challenge of Team Wellington skipper to roll the ball past the hapless custodian O'Keefe.

The Matt Calcott-coached side then dominated for periods before conceding a third goal with 15 minutes to play. Boualem Khoukhi registered his name on the scoresheet with a side foot tap in after scored the third with a tap in after a teammate dispossess an opponent to lay a pass for the Al Arabi forward to score in the last 15 minutes of the encounter.

Qatar to pose stiff test to Iran for group supremacy

Qatar’s eight appearance in the Asian Cup is different from their previous outings considering Djamel Belamdi’s team is the most in-form side ahead of next week’s Asian Cup kickoff but must contend with Iran considered favourites to win Group C.

While Qatar played 18 international matches in 2014, winning nine, drawing eight and losing just once.  Iran have only managed a single win since the World Cup, beating  South Korea 1-0 in an international friendly in November. Qatar defeated Asian Cup host, Australia during a friendly in October and then a month later, won the Gulf Cup with convincing victories over fellow Asian Cup representatives Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Belmadi’s team though youthful but has garnered experience over the past year with successes in West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) championship and Gulf Cup. The team’s strength is their attacking options which has Boualem Khoukhi as the star man to watch in the tournament. The Al Arabi striker pumped in six goals last January to win the WAFF title for Qatar and scored the winner in the Gulf Cup in November. Khalfan Ibrahim, Hassan Haydos and Meshaal Abdullah provide enough power going forward and the options vary from Abdqulqadir Illyas, Ismael Mohammed, Muhammed Muntari to overlapping left back Abdelkarim Hassan.

One thing is for sure, it will be interesting tournament for Qatar and if they have a good game in their opening match against UAE, then the against Iran in Sydney on January 15 could well decide top spot in Group C.  Winning the group could well prove decisive for Qatar or Iran as they face prospect of meeting defending champions Japan expected to dominate in Group D ahead of Jordan, Iraq and Palestine.

Iran is the 51^st ranked team in the world and the best in Asia, will be led by Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz once again as Team Melli continue in their efforts to reclaim the mantel as Asian's leading football nation.

The Iranians are captained by  veteran midfielder Javad Nekounam, who plies his trade with Osasuna in the Spanish La Liga. Iran's team boasts a potent mix of youth and experience and have a strong European flavour. The 34-year-old Nekounam has been the backbone of Iran's national team for more than decade, playing in three previous Asian Cups, and is approaching 150 caps.

There are four members of the Iranian who play in Qatar Stars League and will some idea on Qatari players. They are alal Hosseini (Al Ahli), Masoud Shojaei (Al Shahniya), Ashkan Dejagah (Al Arabi) and Mehrdad Pooladi (Al Shahniya).

Iran’s World Cup campaign in Brazil was not too impressive as they did not make it out of their group, but Quieroz's team proved they could compete with the best with a breathtaking performance against Argentina. After playing out a goalless draw with Nigeria in their group opener, Argentina captain Lionel Messi struck a 91st-minute injury-time winner to break the hearts of Iran, who went on to lose 3-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final match.

Iran, thee three-time Asian Cup champions will contend with United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in the group’s other matches. Both teams are tricky and would provide good test in the group for both Qatar and Iran.

Bahrain won their group ahead of Qatar with a slim victory over Al Anabi and forcing a draw in Doha.

 UAE ranked 85^th in the world will take inspiration from their third place finish in the Gulf Cup. Before then, they had played out four straight draws in friendly matches, notably a 0-0 with Australia. They will rely on the services of Ahmed Khalil who was in good form in the Gulf Cup.

How much are Olympic medals worth?

LONDON Athletes competing in Olympics are not usually paid for their participation, but most competitors who come out on top are rewarded in cash by their national Olympic Committee. Most times, the real money is in promotional contracts: Some of the most stellar athletes bring in millions with marketing deals and endorsement.

After eight days of the summer Games we have seen athletes being distinguished the best of the best. Summer Olympians are breaking records and winning medals. You might think that the joy of winning a medal is enough, but a lot of athletes get an extra incentive: a lump sum of cash for their winning efforts.

One of the most outstanding endorsements so far is Qatar Telecommunication’s (Qtel) identification with Nasser Saleh al Attiyah’s bronze medal feat in the men’s skeet (rifle shooting) event. The company has promised to provide him with a special Shahry Line with unlimited SMS, mobile, internet, local and international calling for life.  

Though no confirmation of any financial reward from the Qatar Olympic Committee, one can be rest assured that for putting Qatar on the world map with its historic achievement, Qatar’s sporting excellence in rewarding its own will be monumental.

While we are still celebrating Nasser’s feat, not all countries participating in the Olympics offer cash reward. Athletes from the host nation, Great Britain, aren't getting any money for their efforts as the British Olympic Committee (BOC) believes that the medals and efforts are enough.

Gold medalist from Team GB at this year's home Olympics will be immortalised in the national memory.  According to Daily Mail, for Team GB stars the rewards are far less tangible. From the moment any take gold; the Royal Mail will begin designing a stamp bearing their image and deliver them to 500 post offices for sale the following day. The champions' stamps will be available in books of six for £3.60 or individually for 60p - to be immortalised forever among philatelists.

But for competitors from some other nations, prestige isn't the only thing driving them

For Americans a gold medal is worth $25,000. Silver and bronze are worth payouts of $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. The 29 medals won thus far have a total bonus value of $510,000. It’s a nice bonus for America’s unpaid athletes, though the payout values have not increased for a decade.

The United States is also far from the top of the payout list. The biggest medal bonus is offered by Italy, which will pay more than $182,000 for a gold medal. Russia’s medal rewards are also quite rich, and the nation’s gold medal winners will collect $135,000. The bronze medalists will take home $54, 400, more. Neighboring Ukraine has been considering an increase to its already rich payout scale: $100,000 for gold, $75,000 for silver and $50,000 for bronze.

African nation, Ghana has offered $20,000 for each gold medalist.

South Africa's Olympic body, Sascoc, will reward all medal winners competing in the London Olympic Games, having set aside R6-million ($721,542) for the stars of both the Olympics and Paralympics.

According to Sascoc, gold medallists will receive R400 000 ($48,000) and their coaches R100 000 ($12, 000. Olympic silver medallists will receive R200000 ($24,000) and their coaches R50000 ($6,000), whereas bronze medallists will be given R80000 ($9,600) and their coaches R20000 ($2,400).

In Armenia, its National Olympic Committee announced reward in cash for his/her medal hopefuls.

A gold medal will be worth $100,000; silver, $75,000; and bronze, $50,000.

National Olympic Committee president Gagik Tsarukyan has said he will personally pay $700,000 to any athlete who scores gold for Armenia.

Mexicans who wins a gold medal in individual event would receive 500,000 pesos (about $37,000); silver medal, 250,000 pesos ($18,000); and bronze medal, 125,000 pesos ($10,000).

Winning a gold medal in team sports would be awarded three million pesos (about $223,000); silver medal, two million pesos ($149,000); and bronze medal, one million pesos ($74,500).

In Malaysia, a gold medal could be worth more than $600,000. Andrew Kam, owner of a Kuala Lumpur gold mine, has offered a gold bar valued at two million Malaysian ringgit, or about $640,000, to any Malaysian badminton player able to win a gold medal. If multiple players take home gold, they will split the bar’s value.

Swimming Australia, which oversees the nation’s top swimmers, implemented a new funding deal this year that will pay more than $36,000 to gold medal winners in individual events; those involved with relays that win gold will share more than $63,000. Those payouts are in addition to the nation’s base medal bonuses, worth about $20,000 for gold, $13,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze.

For Team Nigeria, its National Sports Commission promised to give N1.5 million ($100,000) to any athlete who wins a gold medal while silver and bronze medalists are to get N1,000,000 and N500,000 respectively. 

France will beat Spain, says Bacary Sagna

FRANCE international player and Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is confident France will beat Spain in Sunday's quarterfinal of the Euro 2012. 
Sagna was speaking at Aspetar Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, after completing a 10 days treatment.  
Missing out of the European Championship because of the injury, Sagna confirmed his sole focus is on recovering fitness so that he can once again take his place on the right-side of Arsenal’s defence. 
“It’s a huge blow to miss the championship but I wasn’t thinking about that straight away because I didn’t know it was as bad as it was.” On the chances of France in the Euro, he said, “The French team is not doing badly except for the loss to Sweden on Tuesday. 

“We are in the quarterfinals pitted against Spain. It’s going to be a difficult game but if we remain consistent as we were, France will beat Spain. We have nothing to lose.”  The 29-year-old said he was not sure when he will be fully fit to be back in action. 
                                                            
The Frenchman had broken his right fibula midway through the first half at the Emirates in an English Premier League match. The scenario couldn’t have been worse as the defender had suffered a fracture in the same place earlier in the season when he collided with the advertising hoardings at Tottenham. The injury kept him out for four months. 

Speaking about his injury, Sagna said, “I didn’t know my injury was going to be as bad as it was at the time. 

“I was injured twice last season and decided to visit Qatar. I have been here for ten days and the atmosphere has been fantastic. “I am really pleased with the quality of nursing and treatment here." 

“To be honest, I don’t know when I will be fit. I want to take my time before returning to the field so as not to make the mistake of the past, returning so quickly but unfit,” Sagna said. 

Speaking on his Arsenal experience, the team he joined in the summer of 2007 from French Ligue 1 side Auxerre. “Arsenal is a great team; it’s the most watched out team in France. 

Joining Arsenal in 2007 was a dream come true for me. We have a good coach in Arsene Wenger and a good team. Arsene is a positive person and it has helped me as a man in life situations as I find myself.”


 The Arsenal defender capped 32 times by the French national team revealed that he had tried playing for his fatherland but was turned away unceremoniously. 

“I contacted the Senegalese FA to play for the team but was not given the chance, and when the French opportunity came I grabbed it.” Sagna said he had the opportunity of playing in Qatar when he was 18 but had other options then. 


Whether Sagna will play any part in Arsenal’s pre-season in Nigeria and Far-East Asia is not sure, although given the length of time he was sidelined last time it seems unlikely.

Qatar: Pastor Adeboye leaves Doha with a mark

DOHA General Overseer of Nigeria-based Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye praised Qatar ’s economic growth and development during a programme at the Hilton Hotel in Doha , on Friday.

The clergyman made special prayers for peace in Lebanon , Syria , Yemen and the Middle East region. “Let us pray for the peace and progress of Qatar and wisdom for the leadership of the country,” Folu, wife of the clergyman said.

The congregation stood, some of them singing along, as a flute sounded off songs like Jehovah Gbe gbe letima at the conference hall where a multitude of Christians gathered to welcome Daddy GO as members of the RCCG fondly call him.

At 10:15a.m. Adeboye walked to the pulpit, knelt and prayed that God would bring transformation through peace, unity, love and good governance to Qatar , before preaching his sermon.

The hall filled to the brim, with some delegates from the UK , the UAE and Nigeria standing close to the pulpit to listen to the revered preacher from Nigeria . With emphasis on the theme of the programme, ‘Let the Wind Blow’, Adeboye said, "Whenever the wind of the Holy Spirit blows, several things like healing, progress and transformation take place."

No doubt, the congregation had faith because each member claimed his/her miracle as the soft-spoken clergyman preached. He urged every Christian to embrace the wind so as to receive their blessings.

Head of the Redeemed Christian Church in Qatar Tokunbo Balogun said, "It’s a great time to have our father in Doha . He is carrying a special package and we must be ready to receive it."

The event was enlivened with a special performance by the RCCG choir in Qatar under the ministration of Tomiwa Ogundare. The special song titled ‘Jehovah Gbe gbe letima’, a South Africa song was sung in different languages.

The clergyman, who recently turned 70, had earlier admonished Nigerians residents in Qatar to live peaceably and project the image of the country rightly.

Named one of the 50 most powerful people in the world by Newsweek in 2008, Adeboye said that when God wants to perform a miracle, it does not take Him a long time. He added that people just needed to be on the right track with God to enjoy rapid growth and progress.

He had earlier met officials of the Nigerian embassy from the UAE and Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Qatar chapter .

The State of Qatar Condemns Nigeria's Attacks

DOHA The State of Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the series of Christmas Day attacks on churches in Nigeria that killed a number of innocent civilians, and considered them as contravening moral and human values and religious tolerance principles.
An official source at the Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Tuesday Qatar's sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and the injured reiterating Qatar s solidarity with the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The source renewed Qatar's firm position that condemns and rejects terrorism in all its forms and types regardless of its source.

Nigerian embassy in Qatar soon, said VP Sambo

(From left) Senator Ikechi Nwogu, Senate committee chairperson on gas,  Raymond Bob-Ume, NIDO-Qatar VP, Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo and  Bashir Yuguda, minister of state for works

Nigeria’s Vice-President Namadi Mohamed Sambo, who was in Qatar for the just-concluded Gas Summit for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), has promised Nigerian residents that the government will look into establishing an embassy in Qatar within the next year. He was speaking to Nigerian professionals working in Qatar during a reception held in his honour at the Doha Sheraton by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation-Qatar chapter (NIDO-Qatar).

 

Speaking at the occasion, Sambo said “The government of Nigeria will look into all the issues you have highlighted and we are going to ensure you have an embassy in Qatar soon.”

“The Nigeria government would also look into ways to boost its relations with Qatar,” he added.

The vice-president also thanked the Nigerian community for a warm reception given to him.

Cross section of Nigerian professionals resident in Qatar

In addition, present at the occasion were former Nigeria Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Chairman Senate committee on gas Senator Ikechi Nwogu, members of the vice president’s entourage and representatives of the Nigerian press.

Earlier in his welcome address, Vice President of NIDO-Qatar Raymond Bob- Ume thanked the vice-president for giving members of the community an opportunity to meet him. He also highlighted the needs of the community, especially establishment of Nigerian embassy in Qatar.

He said that absence of an embassy in Doha has been creating difficulties for the members of the community in getting consular services. “As much as we appreciate the effort and the support being rendered by the Nigerian embassy in the UAE, which is concurrently serving Qatar, the entire NIDO-Qatar desires an embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Qatar,” he said. “An embassy in Qatar will bring sound synergy between Nigeria and Qatar as both are members of OPEC and as well as Gas Producing nations.

It will also create opportunities for investment and trade potential with Qatar, being presently a nation with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world and has investment in up to one hundred nations in Asia, Europe and Africa,” Bob- Ume added. Jide Adedeji, a Nigerian Quantity Surveyor, said Nigerian government should look into Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Qatar Airways, as Nigerians in Qatar could no longer buy tickets online.

Speaking at the meeting, former UAE-Qatar ambassador designate, who is presently the Nigerian minister of state for works, Bashir Yuguda urged the community to continue to be good citizens and be law-abiding.

Qatar ready to offer Capello megal deal to build football league

 If reports are anything to go by, England manager Fabio Capello is set to be offered a staggering £30million to transform the footballing scenery in Qatar.

 The mooted four-year deal could force the FA into swift action as Qatar want the Italian in place in an initial consultancy role as early as January.

 Qatar currently have no professional league and want to use Capello’s expertise to assist in launching one.

And according to the Sunday Mirror, they see the English national boss as the type of iconic figure to give them major credibility in the market.

 Capello’s contract with England will come to an end after next summer’s European Championship finals.

 He has ruled out extended that deal and talk of retirement, despite receiving numerous offers to return to domestic club management in Europe.

But the Qatar offer is something entirely different and could extend well beyond the initial four-year offer.

They have already started to branch out with major financial projects with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in Spain and Paris St Germain in France.

 But their ultimate aim is to launch their own league and entice the biggest players in the world to showcase it.

Qatar to award contract for World Cup stadia in November

QATAR will award a management contract next month to oversee construction projects for the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament, an industry source said.

More than six companies are vying for the contract, expected to be awarded in November, including British construction consultants Arup, Mace and Turner International, a construction industry source in Doha said. “It is a lump sum contract for 13 years, and will be awarded to one team comprised of about 50 people. A lot of firms have teamed up with each other, to make sure they have the best quality resources,” the source said. “It is a big deal, so the usual suspects are pitching for it.” Britain’s Mace separately confirmed in an interview that it was in the running for the Qatar soccer project and expected a decision before December. The Gulf Arab country last December won the bid to host the 2022 soccer tournament, and is preparing to build housing, infrastructure, transport and sport facilities for the event. Industry commentators say the programme management contract would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, with the winning group to oversee the construction of the stadia as well as awarding contracts to builders. “The (programme manager) will coordinate with all government agencies on the large projects. We want to make sure that close coordination is done early on and that systems are in place, so we do not have to go back and make changes later,” 2022 Supreme Committee Spokesman Nasser Al-Khater said last month. The programme manager will also bring on board consultants, contractors and suppliers, he said. Qatar will spend $4 billion to host the event, including the cost of constructing stadia, the committee has said. Stadia are estimated to cost between $200 million and $400 million each to build. The country will build nine new stadia and renovate three existing facilities. 2022 Supreme Committee secretary general said in June that the country planned to complete construction of the first stadium for the 2022 soccer World Cup by 2015.

Qatar begins World Cup qualifier in Bahrain

On Friday, new Qatar coach Sebastiao Lazaroni's boys will take their first step dow the long and ardous path towards the 2014 World Cup, with an away fixture agaianst Bahrain. The match at the Bahrain's National Stadium in Riffa is scheduled to kick off at 8pm local time. Apart from Iran, ranked 53rd in the world, Qatar (88) is well ahead of Bahrain (101) and Indonesia (131) in its Asia qualification group (E). Only the winne

r and runner-up of the round robin group advance to the fourth round of the AFC qualifiers, which means that Qatar is left with little margin of error. After Friday's clash, Qatar will host Iran on September 6 in Doha. Their next qualifying game will then be in Jakarta against Indonesia on October 11. This round of Asian qualification qualification continues February next year. Qatar arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday reeling from back-to-back losses in friendly games in the past fortnight.They recorded losses against Iraq (1-0 at home) before falling to the United Arab Emirates 3-1 at Al Ain. Going into Friday’s game, coach Lazaroni seems optimistic, especially after the recovery of the injured players such as the team captain Bilal Mohammed, Majdi Siddiq and Hamid Ismael. As for Bahrain, they are coming off a 1-0 victory over Sudan in a friendly played at home last week. They had also recently beaten United Arab Emirates club side Bani Yas 3-0 after drawing 1-1 with Oman in an abandoned friendly during their July training camp in Dubai. Meanwhile, this Qatar-Bahrain match will mark the first official game for Qatar’s Brazilian tactician Sebastiao Lazaroni, who was appointed to his new post earlier this month. Same for the former England under-21 manager, now Bahrain head coach Peter John Taylor, who was signed to take over the national team duties in July. Bahrain is one of five nations (others being Japan, South Korea, Australia and North Korea) that received byes through to the third round. Friday’s clash may be the group opener but it looms as a potentially vital one. The other teams in Group E, Iran and Indonesia, are expected to finish top and bottom of the group respectively, leaving Bahrain and Qatar to fight out the second spot which yields a place in the fourth round. Qatar will be hoping to claim a much-needed victory as a boost to its credential as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Lazaroni brings vast international experience to the Qatar job. He was coach of his native Brazil in the successful 1989 Copa America campaign and 1990 World Cup, and had coached the Jamaican national team. The 61-year-old had managed several of the big club in Brazil, including Flamengo, Vasco de Gama, Gremio and Botafogo, plus several club sides around the world including Fiorentina and Fenerbahce. If Qatar wins in this group, it will then move on to the fourth round, which will have two groups of five teams each that will see the group winners and runners-up automatically qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Suspected Nigerian drug trafficker dies on flight to Malaysia

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) say a 25-year-old Nigerian man smuggling methaphetamine on a Malaysia-bound flight died from ingesting a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of it.

The NDLEA released a statement on Saturday which says Chilaka Ogbonna Emmanuel's death forced the flight from Doha, Qatar, to make an emergency landing in India, where an autopsy was performed on Friday.

The NDLEA said Emmanuel had begun his journey at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday.

Drug traffickers often use Nigerians as mules to carry drugs from to Europe, the United States and other locations, though the drugs typically ingested are cocaine and heroin.

Zhang Jilong reacts on Bin Hammam's ban

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) acting president Zhang Jilong described Mohamed bin Hammam's lifetime ban for bribery as a "sad day" for the sport on Saturday.

He continued,

AFC respects world football governing body FIFA’s decision and we also acknowledge former AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam’s inalienable right to lodge an appeal against the decision. AFC has nothing more to say on this particular issue.

I would like to assure our fans, Member Associations, teams, players, marketing partners, in short all our stakeholders and well-wishers, that the AFC Executive Committee is united in its resolve to maintain the great momentum Asian football has achieved in the recent past. Asian football is going from strength to strength and AFC will ensure that we continue to steer steadily on this progressive path.

This is a difficult period for us because Asian football is currently facing multiple challenges, the biggest of which is match-fixing. I, in my capacity as the acting AFC President, am aware of the urgent need to provide a strong leadership that will work closely with the Member Associations towards creating a climate of trust and confidence. During my provisional presidency, I promise that AFC will govern the continent’s football affairs in complete transparency, fairness and harmony.

The best of Asian football is yet to come and AFC will work tirelessly towards ensuring that the collective interests of the great sport we love will prevail in our continent. The Future is indeed Asia but this can be realised only if we keep the faith in our football.

Is Amos Adamu innocent afterall?

Phaedra Al Majid, who worked as a press officer for Qatar 2022 retracted her allegation that Jacques Anouma, of Ivory Coast, Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou and Amos Adamu, of Nigeria, were offered bribes of up to $1.5 million to vote for Qatar.

Last year, Fifa's ethics committee banned Nigeria's Adamu and Tahiti's Reynald Temarii following a Sunday Times investigation into World Cup bidding.

Adamu, who denies the claims and has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, was banned for three years for seeking bribes from undercover reporters.

With this latest development, what happens to Amos Adamu?

Recently,in a letter to Fifa and the Qatar bid, accompanied by a sworn affidavit, the whistle-blower, Phaedra Almajid, claims that she lied because she was “hurt and bitter” at being placed under pressure by the bid for failing to control the international media reaction to Qatar’s bid. She said she has received no financial inducement to make her statement.

Almajid left the Qatar bid in November 2009 after being advised that she could be replaced. In the affidavit she said she “wanted to hurt the bid like they had hurt me”.

In her letter, circulated to Fifa, the Asian Football Confederation, the Confederation of African Football, the Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid, and the Nigerian, Ivorian and Cameroonian football associations, Almajid said: “I wish to offer a full and formal apology for the fabricated allegations concerning the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup bid committee and Fifa executive committee members Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma and Amos Adamu.

“I have lied about all facts concerning the behaviour and practice of the Qatar 2022 bid. Never, at any time, were any bribes even offered, suggested or paid on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid during any time in exchange for votes from Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma, and Amos Adamu.

“These allegations were in full a fabrication on my behalf. Never at any time did I wish, nor did I foresee, the extent to which these lies would be projected by the international media – even to the extent that they were presented to the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into Football Governance.

“I am very sorry for any and all embarrassment caused to the various individuals and authorities concerned. I was very proud to work on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid committee.

“I also wish to state that the decision to make this admission is entirely my own: I have not been subject to any form of pressure or been offered any financial inducement to do so.”

Japan's Kagawa dismantles Qatar in a 3-2 victory

It was drama as 10 man Japan defeated Qatar 3-2 in the first quarterfinal match of the AFC Asian Cup at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday.

The 89th minute goal by Inoha cancelled Qatar's leadf after Sebastien Soria opened score in the 12th minute.

Japan got the needed equaliser after a decent play Okazaki released Kagawa to level-up in the 28th minute.
Japan's Yoshida received a red card in the 61st minute after a harsh tackle and the ensuing freekick was converted by Fabio Cesar in the 64th minute.

Kagawa got his second of the game in the 70th minute and assisted in the third goal for Japan in the 89th minute, Inoha smashed the ball into an empty net after a Kagawa tussle with Qatari's defenders.

Its the end of the road for the host and French Bruno Metsu, what next for Qatar?

Japan's Italian Coach Alberto Zaccheroni will be the happier taking Japan to the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup.

China defeats 10-man Kuwait

China recorded its first win in a Group A match of the AFC Asian Cup to stay joint top with with a confidence-booster 2-0 win over 10 man-Kuwait at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Saturday.

Two second half goals was all the new generation Chinese players needed to stave off the challenge from a determined and enterprising Kuwaiti side.Both sides had a number of scoring opportunities and the scoreline could have been rich, had both sides not missed most of those chances

Speaking in a post match conference, Gao Hongbo coach of China said, "I am very happy to win this game, the first thirty minute of the tie was controlled by Kuwait but we recovered and took our chances well."

On the red card on Kuwait's Mesad Nada, Gao said, " Irrespective of the dismissal, my players were determined to win the game."

Kuwait's Serbian born coach Goran Tufegdzic said, "It was an important but the red card affected our plans."

Goran was critical of the referee and hopes necessary disciplinary actions be taken considering a goal scored by Kuwait and not seen by the referee and its officials.

Goran said, "The referee made so many mistakes and am sure he will be punished."

China went ahead in the 57th minute when highly rated central defender Zhang Linpeng scored a superb goal off a deflection. Zhang who captained China in the last Asian Games in Guanghzhou collected a pass outside the box and fired a right footer shot from 30 yards to register the first goal.
The second goal came of the foot of Deng Zhuoxiang in the 67th minute, when his 25 yards free-kick beat Nawaf al Khalid and capped it with a man of the match award. Deng is remembered for scoring a brilliant individual goal against Korea Republic in 2010 and a memorable goal against France prior to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

However, it was Kuwait who started off better than the Chinese side with Yousef Nasser and Walied Ali threatening in the opening minutes. China gradually got into its best and started creating opportunities through excellent display of passing and movement.The likes of Zhao Xuri, Qu Bo and Zhao Peng threaten Kuwait on a number of occasions.
A penalty appeal was turned down by the referee when China's Du Wei was hacked down inside the box as early as the 12th minute.
The Chinese closest goal effort came in the 21st minute when Qu Bo was cleared free in front of the Kuwait goal but his effort was parried for a corner kick.
With pressure mounting Kuwait's Mesa Nada unnecessarily kicked a Chinese player in the 35th minute to get the referee's marching order.
Kuwait's Bader al Mutwa's effort was the flash point of the first half as his opportunistic cross went over the goal line but was not counted for goal because referee Benjamin Williams from Australia and his assistants did not see it.

China looked more aggressive in the second half and came very close to scoring on a number of times. On the other hand, Jarah al Ateeqi, Fahad Enezi pressed for an early goal

Walied Ali's 25 yard free-kick beat the Chinese wall but goalkeeper Yang Zhi made a fantastic save to deny the 100 capped Kuwaiti play-maker.

With a man down the defence line of Kuwait was exposed and on the 60th minute a build-up from Zhao Xuri finds Yang Xu whose close shot was too high.

China pressed for more goals in the second half with left back Rong Hao coming close on two occasions.

His dazzling dribbles of the left wing was a persistent threat and in the 79th minute his low cross inside the box was missed by two Chinese attackers.
Bader al mutwa's 40 yards effort capped a poor display by the much talked about star attacker from Kuwait.
The next round of matches will be on Wednesday as China plays Qatar while Kuwait faces Uzbekistan.

Brazil-Argentina match tickets sold out

SOCCER fans of Qatar, consider yourself lucky if you have already booked your ticket for the friendly match between eternal rivals Brazil and Argentina at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

For, there are many who may not be as lucky as you are to be able to watch their favourite football stars in action in Doha as tickets for Wednesday’s thriller are reported to be already sold out.

According to the Qatar Football Association (QFA), tickets for the match were available on the QFA website and over 50 percent of the tickets were sold out in the first week of the launch of its sale on October 21 last.

An official who chose to be anonymous said, “The QFA could still release some tickets because the staffers of corporate organisations for whom these tickets were booked may not be available on the match day.” The 50,000-seat Khalifa Stadium which will host the world’s most glamorous match had also hosted the England versus Brazil match last year.

Visit any ticket sale outlet in the city and you will come across soccer crazy people with disappointment writ large on faces.

At one such outlet in Doha, a football fan told Qatar Tribune that he was offered a VIP ticket for QR1000.

“This is greed beyond measure.

I think measures should have been taken to prevent a situation like this where soccer buffs have to choose between paying twice the price of a ticket or forgoing the thrill of watching soccer giants’ clash.

That means these avaricious individuals are making money out of real fans’ desire to see their heroes in action.” At the Villaggio mall, groups of fans were seen discussing the unavailability of match tickets and eager to pay any amount to see two of the world’s great sides at play in Doha.

Adrian Neilsen, a Swede said, “I bought my ticket online but I have been trying to purchase for my family to no avail.” According to Mohamed Ali, a Lebanese fan of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, match tickets were sold in large numbers to residents who bought them in bunches of hundreds at one time, not quite a proper thing to do.

“Tickets for such events must be sold one ticket to one person at a time, and not in the way it was done,” he quipped.

“To think that Messi will be in Doha and I won’t get to see him in flesh and bone is painful,” he added.

A soccer fan from England, Maurice Huddlestone, said, “I tried buying online but was told they were sold out.

I came to try my luck at the sale outlet, but only encountered disappointment.

Now I see no chance of watching the match from the stands.” The rivalry between the two nations has thrown up some classic, often violent, moments, like the ill-tempered group match during Argentina’s 1978 World Cup or Brazil’s thrashing of Argentina in Spain in ’82, with Maradona being sent off in the process.

As recently as the last World Cup in South Africa, Diego Maradona said his Argentina team was a Rolls Royce driven by Lionel Messi, while Luis Fabiano compared Brazil to an aircraft.

“It’s a jet, a low-flying jet,” Luis Fabiano said.

“For sure we will surprise a lot of people out there.” Participation of several soccer stars like Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ronaldinho of Brazil in the match is confirmed.

The match is an opportunity for Qatar to bolster its already impressive bid for the 2022 World Cup.

Nigerian in Qatar celebrate Independence Day in style

DOHA THE Cultural opulence of Nigeria was highlighted by Nigerian expatriates in Qatar as part of the celebration of the golden jubilee of their independence, at Marriott Hotel on Saturday.
The event — organised to mark the Independence Day of Nigeria which falls on October 1 — was an occasion for the Nigerian expats to demonstrate unity in diversity as represented by various ethnic groups in the country.
Each group showcased its typical traditional heritage and culture for the audience, which included the Ambassador of Nigeria to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), HE Bashir Yuguda, and envoys of many other countries.
Addressing the gathering, HE Yuguda expressed his happiness over the unity among Nigerians despite their ethnic differences.
“I am elated to see the patriotism, passion and commitment Nigerians in Qatar demonstrated in celebrating this special day.
Nigeria is a country with over 150 million people, 250 ethnic groups and 4,000 dialects.
But, with the special grace of God, we remain one as a nation,” the ambassador said.
He pointed out that though Nigeria went through difficult times during the civil war and military governments, the country was moving forward as a leading economic and political nation in Africa.
He said that Nigeria, as a regional power in Africa, was faced with many responsibilities.
“The challenges of regional power come with heavy burden.
I am proud to say that with active support of my countrymen in international community, Nigeria is living up to the expectations in maintaining law and order in Africa as well as contributing to the United Nations peace-keeping missions across the globe,” Yuguda said.
The envoy was appreciative of the Nigerians’ conduct and wellbeing in Qatar despite having no Doha-based ambassador over the years.
He hoped that Qatar would have a full-fledged Nigerian ambassador by next year.
South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Vincent Zulu, Japanese Ambassador HE Kenjiro Monji, Egyptian Ambassador HE Mahmoud Fawzy Abou Dounya, Senegalese Ambassador HE Adama Sarr, Sudanese Ambassador HE Ibrahim Abdullah al Faqiri, Eritrean Ambassador HE Ali Ibrahim Ahmad as well as Libyan and Tunisian ambassadors attended the colourful ceremony.
Various cultural and dance groups like Otu Ofuobi women, Egbe Omo O’Odua, Edo/Benin and Oghene groups, as well as a solo Hausa musical performance by Rakiya Lawler, entertained the guests on the occasion.
While the ‘Identity Sisters’ opened the entertainment floor, Nigerian artiste Mina Ochoche stole the thunder with her special track ‘Let us pray for Nigeria’.
A Nigerian R&B singer, Mima Ikyor, who was flown into the country especially for the occasion, captivated the audience with her soulful songs.
There was also a special poem (Ewi) recitation by Yemi Emiola.
Commenting on the event, Egyptian Ambassador to Qatar HE Mahmoud Fawzy Abou Dounya said: “This is a spectacular National Day celebration.
I am highly impressed.
This shows that Qatar is a friendly country where all nationalities can flourish and live a peaceful normal life.
I congratulate Nigerians on this occasion.” His Japanese counterpart HE Kenjiro Monji said: “Nigeria and Japan are good friends.
I am here to show Japanese solidarity with Nigeria and share the joy of the country’s 50th independence celebration.” Earlier, in his welcome address, President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Qatar chapter (NIDO-Qatar), OJ Millar, said this year’s independent celebration was special to Qatar residents because it was the first show which Nigerian ambassador to Qatar had witnessed.
He thanked all Nigerians in Qatar for their support and cooperation for the successful organisation of the event.
Qatar Airways and Marriott Hotel Doha supported the event.