DOHA: Challenge 22 has closed submissions for the first cycle of applications having receiving over 400 submissions to date following a four week roadshow around the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Challenge 22 Team will screen all proposals in collaboration with industry experts in each of the themes and focus areas.

The Challenge 22 roadshow commenced on 25 January 2015 in Kuwait and concluded on 17 February 2015 in Abu Dhabi, passing through Qatar, KSA, Oman and Bahrain. More than 3,000 attendees came to 25 information sessions which featured talks from the initiative’s ambassadors, Sami Al Jaber, famed former football player; Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari, popular sports TV presenter; Mohammed Saeed Harib, Director of animation and Founder of Lammtara Productions; and Areej Al Kharafi, Kuwaiti business entrepreneur.

Mahmoud Qutub, Executive Director of Strategic Development & Assurance at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) went on to say, “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response of potential applicants across the region at the information sessions. Challenge 22 is a truly unique opportunity to think big and come up with inventive solutions to the challenges associated with hosting the FIFA World Cup in the Middle East in 2022.”

Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director of Qatar National Research Fund, one of Challenge 22’s strategic partners, said: “Challenge 22 provides a tremendous opportunity for innovators in Qatar and the region to showcase their talents, while contributing solutions to the success of the region’s first FIFA World Cup games here in Qatar in 2022. We’ve been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of applications we’ve received from the region’s next generation of innovators.”

Fatma Al Nuaimi, Social and Human Legacy Manager at the SC added, ““The Challenge 22 roadshow was a great success and it was rewarding to receive feedback that this initiative is giving people in the region the motivation and outlet they need to think about solutions that can potentially go on to have a global impact. With submissions closing, we wish all those who have applied the best of luck.”

Initiated by the SC, Silatech and Qatar National Research Fund, Challenge 22 calls on applicants within the GCC with solution based proposals related to three key themes that address challenges faced by Qatar and the world, when hosting major sports events: Sustainability, Event Experience, and Sports and Health.

Challenge 22 application deadlines for Phase One are spilt into two rounds; Round One deadline today, with the results announced on 2 April 2015. The Round Two deadline is 5 May 2015. Successful applicants have the opportunity to win a cash prize of USD $20,000 during Phase 1 of the competition and a grant to further develop their idea into a proof of concept during Phase 2 of the competition.