DOHA: Mohammed Al Atwan, Director of Facilities Department at the AFC Champions League’s East Zone matches, has said surging confidence in Qatar’s ability to stage a football tournament in trying circumstances has raised the responsibility on the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) that remains determined to deliver a flawless event once again.

 “We have the ideal infrastructure to host matches of the AFC Champions League, East Zone. This infrastructure shows the ability of the LOC’s part to put together a great event. The fact that Qatar is hosting the month-long event shows the confidence of FIFA and AFC has on us to deliver a successful event,” Al Atwan said in an interview with QFA website.

“The LOC is providing all requirements sought from us by the AFC. The Asian football body has chosen Qatar to host the East Zone matches after we successfully conducted the West Zone matches in Sept-Oct. We have helped AFC to complete its season in the most difficult circumstances prevailing around the world because of the COVID-19 situation,” Al Atwan said.

He then added “Every tournament that we host is a new challenge for us and an opportunity to gain new experiences with chances to learn many lessons. These lessons are applied in any sporting event held in the future. We aim to excel always and lead by ensuring the implementation of the highest quality standards. We also look at providing the best means of protection and prevention for the safety of the players and participants in the tournament. Our football facilities reflect the kind of high standards we have exhibited throughout the events staged so far. And yes, we are meeting all AFC requirements”.

Q: How do you see the experience of hosting the West Zone matches?

A: Hosting West Zone matches helped us gain experience in all respects, especially in light of hosting the high number of matches in trying circumstances because of the COVID-19 situation around the world. This presented a new challenge for us, and the LOC teams were quick to develop and implement safety and health protocols underlined by the Ministry of Public Health. The AFC were pleased with our plans. We also learned many vital lessons which were happily implementing during the East Zone matches.

Q:  What are the controls like in player rooms, and how do the participating teams respond?

A: A very well composed protocol has been distributed and explained to the teams when they are inside the match venues. The area of protocols includes the dressing rooms, the walking areas, the training zones etc. There is a limit on the number of people that can be placed in one specific area stated above. This has been done to limit the number of people anywhere. This has been done to keep the players, team officials, administrative staff, coaches, physios and LOC team members safe. The protocols are applied 24x7 on matchdays. Every team’s entry and exit is carefully monitored and executed. The response from the visitors has been very positive, and there have been no breaches.

Q: Qatar is known as a sports hub. What’s your take on that?

A: Qatar’s competency in hosting top sports events is well known. Qatar has been hosting major sports events for more many years. Qatar getting to host the West Zone and East Zone matches – in the most trying of circumstances – is proof of that claim. Overall 30 teams – with big backroom staff – have converged on Qatari soil in a short period for dozens of matches. It is a testimony that the tournaments are managed by Qatari youth who have proven their high capabilities and great experience in previous tournaments.