By David Gold
December 5 – Qatar is donating $400,000 (£256,000/€300,000) generated in ticket proceeds from the recent friendly game between Brazil and Egypt in Doha, to the victims of famine in Somalia.
The Supreme Committee of the Qatar 2022 World Cup has partnered with Qatar Charity to make the donation and come to the aid of those suffering, which still stands at some four million despite an improvement in the situation in the Horn of Africa.
Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Secretary General, Hassan Al Thawadi said: “One year on from what was a historic day for our country, we are pleased to announce this initiative for those in need in Somalia with Qatar Charity as our partner.
“During the bidding process we always stressed the importance of football and the FIFA World Cup as catalysts for positive change.
“This initiative is one of many initiatives that we will undertake with the goal of harnessing the power of football to make a difference in people’s lives – in our region and beyond.”
Brazil won the friendly 2-0, and Al-Thawadi insisted that the game was an ideal taste of the 2022 World Cup for spectators.
“The game demonstrated yet again the appetite for top-class football in Qatar and the Middle East,” he said.
“Guests and media traveling from abroad were given a taste of what 2022 will offer – a full stadium with people from many different nationalities, coming together to create a carnival atmosphere.”
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