By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 15 – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pictured) today pledged his country’s support to Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
Lula, recently ranked as one of the most influential leaders in the world by Time magazine, offered his backing to the bid during a visit to Doha, where he signed a number of agreements with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The bilateral agreements included one on cooperation in sports between the Governments of both countries, a major boost to Qatar as Brazil is set to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics and Paralympics in 2016.
Lula then publicly showed his support for Qatar’s bid when he addressed the Qatari-Brazilian Business Forum at Doha’s Four Seasons Hotel.
He told an audience, which included Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani: “There could be cultural and other differences but our common passion for soccer unites us and we are only too happy to announce Brazil’s support to Qatar in its earnest bid for hosting 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
Lula has been actively trying to cultivate links between Brazil and Arab countries for several years and there has been a 150 per cent increase his country’s businesses with the Arab countries in the last few years, he claimed.
He said: ”This came since Brazil took the lead to host the maiden Latin American–Arab Summit [in 2005] and the trade between the regions now stand at more than $20 billion (£13.7 billion).”
In the last five years Brazil’s trade with Qatar has increased by 1,221 per cent to reach a total of $501 million (£344 million), Lula revealed.
If Qatar were awarded the World Cup in 2022, then Brazilian companies would hope to profit from lucrative contracts, Lula admitted.
He said: ”Some of our construction firms are widely acknowledged all over the world and they are interested in undertaking major challenges in this region, including in Qatar.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734792135labto1734792135ofdlr1734792135owedi1734792135sni@y1734792135akcam1734792135.nacn1734792135ud1734792135
Related stories
May 2010: South Africa has proved world wrong, so can Qatar they claim
May 2010: Qatar World Cup would help build bridges bid book claims
May 2010: Qatar World Cup bid boosted by massive tourist investment
April 2010: Qatar World Cup bid boosted by state-of-the-art stadium plan
April 2010: Blatter backs Qatar World Cup bid