“It’s time to concentrate on the football in Qatar,” potential FIFA President states
Thursday 27th November 2014, Dubai:
The Host Cities summit today concluded after a series of presentations
and debates among industry leaders on the bidding, funding, hosting and
legacy of major events.
Harold Mayne-Nicholls,
the former Head of the FIFA Technical Committee, was one of many
experts who spoke during the two-day event, using the platform to talk
honestly about Qatar’s World Cup Bid.
“There is no doubt
Qatar will happen, as long as no wrong-doing happened.” Mayne-Nicholls
continued. “It will be a success but there is only one solution, you
have to move it to winter. It is time though, to move on and concentrate
on the event.”
With the Qatar 2022
bid constantly in the spotlight, Mayne-Nicholls - who led the technical
inspection of the bid - went onto to answer questions about his own
aspirations and the possibility of challenging Sepp Blatter in next
year’s FIFA elections.
“I’m analyzing the
situation of running for the presidency of FIA. There is a possibility
there and what motivates me is to make a change, things must change I
will decide by early 2015.”
Mayne-Nicholls added
that FIFA has a long way to go before their image is perceived better by
the world, adding: “We administer a game that belongs to the people. We
need to get closer to the fans.”
Host Cities, now in its 3rdyear, welcomed speakers from all corners of the globe as panel sessions spoke on numerous subjects.
A VIP Keynote Address
from Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce
Marketing, opened the event. Karim spoke of Dubai’s vision to be a
leading global events destination.
Speaking on the eve of
the one-year anniversary of Dubai’s Expo 2020 win, Kazim said:
“Anything is possible. A million memories are all coming to this
remarkable city. Dubai has created a cohesive events calendar and we’ll
deliver Sheikh Mohammed’s promise to astonish the world.”
Dubai Sports Council
Secretary General, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, spoke during the first
session tackling the subject, “How do you deliver legacy from an event
and maximize positive economic and social benefit?”
He said: “Dubai is not
only a dream it is a vision. The government supported us financially
but they also have a vision, we are working together, and they are
participating with their people in building this vision.”
With India being a strong subject over the two-day summit, the Million Dollar creators spoke during a Dubai Sports City-sponsored lunch to announce their new projects. They include a third season of Million Dollar Arm, where India is scoured in the hope of finding baseball pitching talent to star in America’s baseball leagues. “Million Dollar Bat” was also announced where an American baseball player will be found and transformed into a cricket star to play in India.
IPL CEO Sundar Raman gave his vote of confidence for the project, adding:
“Anything that helps grow the game of cricket and bring new talent in is very welcome.”
Host Cities provides
an extensive opportunity for past, present and future host cities to
come together with leading rights holders and sporting bodies.
Networking opportunities were a plenty as Dubai continues its commitment
to be a leading global events destination.
