The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee appointed Netherlands-based Amsterdam Arena and global sports and media firm IMG as the stadium operations consultants for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, said: “We are looking forward to working together closely with these two extremely professional partners, who between them have invaluable experience in stadium operation in some of the most significant sporting sites across the globe.”

“The appointment of Amsterdam Arena and IMG is crucial in delivering an outstanding 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are thereby placing a key focus on an amazing fan and player experience in all our stadiums,” he added.

Stadium operations consultants assist on the development of business cases for all of the competition venues of the 2022 FIFA World Cup including stadiums, stadium precincts and training sites.

The consultants will also work on developing the Program Wide Business Plan relative to stadium operations.

Amsterdam Arena and IMG will perform technical reviews for all competition venues at each individual design stage, assessing operational aspects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, including, catering and commercial strategies; venue operations pre-tournament, during the tournament and post-tournament; safety and security; pitch and building maintenance; access zones; precinct functionality and operations; technology integration; overlay elements analysis confirming tournament functionality and sustainability.

Henk Markerink, CEO of Amsterdam ArenA stated: “I am impressed by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s ambitious and professional approach to the organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and I feel a shared commitment to make the World Cup in Qatar an amazing event with a great legacy to Qatar and the world.

“We are very honoured and pleased to be part of the Q22 team. By involving us in this early stage and letting us develop the Program Wide Strategies on various subjects we can optimally contribute to the organization of the World Cup.”

Iain Barnett, vice president, from IMG’s Stadium Group, said: “IMG is honoured to have been selected to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on its ambition for an amazing World Cup.  We are delighted that the perspective of stadium operators has been integrated at such an early stage of the development process which is vital not only for successful delivery of the tournament but also a sustainable legacy.”

IMG is a global leader in venue commercialisation, financing and development. IMG’s stadium clients include some of the best-known sporting stadia in the world, including Wembley Stadium, the Maracana in Rio De Janeiro and Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. – TradeArabia News Service