Doha has been shortlisted as one of the world’s ‘Ultimate Sports Cities’ of 2009, for a prestigious award from SportBusiness Sports Event Management, said a top Qatar official.

Since the 2006 Asian Games, Doha has focused on successfully winning, executing and hosting numerous world sporting events – and Qatar is currently bidding to be a host nation for the '2022 FIFA World Cup.'

Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, CEO of the Qatar 2022 Bid, said he was proud that Doha had been shortlisted.

'This nomination is both an extremely important recognition of Qatar as a sports destination, as well as being an important message to the rest of the world. In bidding to host the World Cup in 2022, we want to show what Qatar can offer in uniting Western and Eastern cultures.'

'Just as importantly, we want to leave a significant legacy for future generations, including creating a greater understanding of the Middle East,' he noted.

“If we win the honour of hosting the World Cup in 2022, it will be the first time a global sports event is held in the Middle East. Everyone in Qatar is passionate about bringing the world’s favourite tournament to our country,” Al Thawadi added.

Recently, the Qatar 2022 Bid launched its new website (www.XXXXXX022bid.com), which incorporates its innovative and colourful new brand design.

Qatar has made sports one of the key ‘pillars’ in the future development of the country. Doha has several sports stadiums, some of which were renovated in preparation for the highly successful 15th Asian Games in 2006.

Upcoming international sport events that Qatar is due to host include the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships (this month), FIVB Club World Volleyball Championship (November 2009), IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships (2010) and Asian Football Cup (2011).

The City of Doha received the silver medal award at the 20th International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) for the Aspire Dome – the world’s largest indoor sports facility, with the bronze medal being awarded to Doha’s Khalifa Stadium.

The IOC/IAKS Award is the only architecture award of international importance for existing sports and leisure facilities. The Ultimate Sports City award winner will be announced on November 10.-TradeArabia News Service