DOHA: Qatar Football Association (QFA) on Sunday unveiled the mascot of the AFC U23 Championship, saying the country is looking forward to welcoming the teams next month. One of key events on the AFC calendar, the AFC U23 Championship will be held across Qatar from Jan 12 to 30. The event will be held at four venues namely Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Grand Hamad Stadium, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium and Qatar Sports Club Stadium. "This will be the third biggest football event on Qatari soil. We will be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. QFA hosted the 2011 Asian Cup four years ago," Mansour Al Ansari, Secretary General, QFA, said on Sunday. The Jan 12-30 holds great significance for the participating teams as the top three sides in Doha will get 2016 Olympic Games berths, Al Ansari said at a special ceremony held at Lekhwiya Stadium. "Qatar will be playing the opening match of the tournament against China here at Lekhwiya Stadium on January 12," Al Ansari said. "This event has huge following across Asia as youngsters playing for their national sides can go on to represent their senior national sides," he said. "We are ready to welcome the teams," Al Ansari said on Sunday. The event mascot - Nagim - was unveiled on the pitch at Lekhwiya Stadium, one of top football venues in Qatar. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Hani Ballan, CEO of Qatar Stars League (QSL), Al Ansair, Ahmed Al-Harami, COO of the organizing committee, and Khalifa Al Haroon Marketing Director at QSL, among a host of other football officials. According to details, the mascot depicts a young fox sporting football attire. The mascot also 'depicts intelligence, speed, and power that of a young football player'.