By David Gold
September 3 – United Arab Emirates Football League club Al-Wasl will play in the country’s first air-conditioned stadium, paving the way for similar venues to be constructed elsewhere in the area.
Despite concerns over the sustainability of air-conditioned stadiums, the Dubai-based club’s new 25,000-seater stadium is hoping to show the way forward.
All fan-seating areas will be air-conditioned at the ground, according to a report from news agency WAM.
This latest development is likely to be a boost to Qatar, which is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Qatar is aiming to build a number of air-conditioned stadiums and fan zones for the football showpiece in order to control the oppressive Middle Eastern heat in the height of summer.
With temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius in the Gulf region, FIFA noted the potential health risks during the bidding process for the World Cup.
UEFA President Michel Platini, who is a leading contender to succeed current FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2015, has proposed that Qatar holds its World Cup in the winter.
However, Qatar promised FIFA it could regulate temperatures at 26 degrees Celsius, although it may also make use of wind towers as an alternative if it does not push ahead with air-conditioned venues.
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