June 26 – Qatar’s 61-year-old emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani announced yesterday that he has transferred power in the energy-rich and increasingly influential gulf nation to his fourth son – the 33-year-old crown prince, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (pictured), who has strong footballing links.
Sheikh Tamim became the crown prince a decade ago — at the age of 23 — when his older brother Jassim gave up his position as emir-in-waiting.
Sheikh Tamim has prepared for his new role by holding positions as deputy commander of Qatar’s armed forces, a senior role with the Qatar Investment Authority and as deputy emir, but he is probably best known for his role in helping Qatar win its bid to host the 2022 World Cup. He is chairman of the board of directors for the Supreme Committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, the body overseeing the organisation of the tournament in Qatar.
In 2011, Sheik Tamim’s Qatar Sports Investments became the majority shareholder of Paris Saint-Germain after buying a controlling 70%. In 2012, QSi purchased the remaining 30% stake held by Colony Capital and Butler Capital Partners and became the sole shareholder of the team.
Sheik Tamim, a keen football and tennis player himself, was educated at Sherborne public school in England and graduated from Sandhurst military academy and supports Manchester United.
Whilst his father used Qatar’s wealth to put the state on the global stage, the challenge for Sheikh Tamim will be to manage internal Qatar’s development, including treatment of migrant workers, infrastructural development prior to the world cup and foreign policy to enable it to stand up to global scrutiny.
He has been the driving force behind a social outreach programme in Qatar, providing opportunities for young people to participate in sport across the country.
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