Today, as the world witnesses how Qatar is hosting and welcoming throngs of foreign visitors to the FIFA 2022 World Cup, there is more than just a tinge of regret why FIFA moguls should not have awarded its hosting to this Middle East Arab country.
Too many dos and don’ts.
For the record, the FIFA World Cup is the biggest and most watched spectator event sports fanatics eagerly wait for 4 years.
What takes the cake are some melo-dramatic actuations of some teams who have an axe to grind which they expressed during the singing of their respective national anthems before the actual action.
The Iranians were seen clearly on video posted on the social media who did not sing their national anthem as shown by their unmoving lips throughout.
They were said to be protesting the cruel implementation of the wearing of the hijab by the Khomeni government. The death of Mahsa Amini who was arrested by the morality police for wearing her hijab improperly triggered a nation-wide protests in Iran.
Another unlikely upset was registered by Saudi Arabia over former world champion Argentina while Japan shocked title contender Germany. Ecuador embarrassed the host country when the South Americans defeated Qatar on opening day.
More than one billion follow and monitor the matches in their homes, in the offices, inside pubs and even buses and trains where Wi-Fi screens are available.
Many Europeans – to avoid having to hustle for a hotel room when the influx of athletes and delegations are expected to be heavy – reserve relatively much cheaper pension rooms ahead of schedule.
To assure foreign visitors and tourists that there will be adequate accommodation and billeting, Qatar officials constructed many five star hotels to fulfill their promise that every visitor will have an available decent room to stay in for the duration of the soccer tournament.
What shocked everybody was the Qatari government’s banning of alcoholic drinks which somewhat dampened the enthusiasm of football fans particularly beer drinkers.
Football, beer and hotdogs are the staple while watching live the proceedings of very exciting and highly competitive matches that only FIFA can do.
Some Muslim practices that are seen to be hindering favorable media coverage are making foreign tourists ill at ease.
For visiting journalists, there are guidelines to observe.
A photo journalist who committed the mistake of straying into a prohibited area and took photos was “arrested” and detained but eventually released. From then on, he was tailed by the Qatari secret police so that he would not misbehave.
Thirty two teams were divided into eight groups of four.
The top two teams in each group will move on to the quarterfinals.
As far as betting odds are concerned, England is the heavy favorite. You bet $200 to win $100. Oh, oh, Too much. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
