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Qatar

Aura organizes special event to enrich Qatar’s dining options

Aura Group is the leading F&B and Entertainment company in Qatar. Within a short period of time, the group has developed a diversified portfolio of both local and world leading signature brands…reports Asian Lite News

Aura Group organized a special event at Orient Pearl Restaurant, Corniche, Doha on Sunday, August 21, 2022, to familiarize (highlight the) key players in the hotel concierges and travel agencies sector in Qatar with the new high-end dining options and to establish a beneficial collaboration in promoting the brands during and after the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2022.

The new brands will be spread across three main destinations – Lusail Boulevard, Al Maha Island, and Hamad International Airport – featuring a mix of Aura’s most successful homegrown concepts and world-famous brands, such as Nammos beach club – the Mykonos beachside restaurant, Zuma – the contemporary Japanese cuisine, Em Sherif – fine dining Oriental cuisine, Billionaire Doha – the luxury dining and extravagant show concept paired with nightlife, LPM French Mediterranean and niçoise restaurant & Bar, Carbone the Italian-American restaurant, Beefbar steakhouse, and Tatel – the Spanish Mediterranean cuisine.

The Group is also set to open outlets of other notable concepts such as Rossopomodoro, Streetery, concept by Lemon Butter, Han Shi Fu, Pura Vida, Maia Lounge, Maia Café, Maia Boutique, Moka Caffe, Belhambar, and many more, in various iconic venues, including Mall of Qatar, The View Hospital and the Korean Medical Center (KMC), Qatar’s newest state-of-the-art medical facilities, and Doha Corniche.

These globally renowned restaurants will cater to the growing demand for upscale and international food outlets to satisfy the gastronomic taste of guests before, during and after the FIFA World Cup. The internationally admired brands will serve as motivation to attract more visitors from abroad and bring an amazing new experience to the market.

Aura Group is the leading F&B and Entertainment company in Qatar. Within a short period of time, the group has developed a diversified portfolio of both local and world leading signature brands. Through its commitment to excellence, Aura Group has continued to deliver a world-class and prestigious experience, earning it an enviable position as a leading operator within Qatar and beyond.

Expressing excitement over the opening of the new restaurants, Naveed Dowlatshahi, Aura Group CEO, said: “We are excited to enrich Qatar’s dining offerings with the opening of new high-end and most sought-after restaurants carefully selected from award-winning brands from across the globe. We always strive to ensure that Qatar’s hospitality and entertainment industry continually sees a deserving expansion that is corresponding with the fast-pacing development the country is witnessing in various sectors in anticipation for FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar, the first to be held in the Arab region. With its expansive portfolio, Aura Group is all set to satisfy the culinary and entertainment needs of football fans coming to Qatar from different parts of the world during and after the tournament.”

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Qatar Sport Sports

FIFA sells 2.45 mn tickets for 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Over-the-counter sales will also start in Doha after the launch of the last-minute sales phase…reports Asian Lite News

A total of 2.45 million tickets have been sold so far for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, set to be held in Qatar, the world soccer governing body said on Thursday.

As per FIFA, in the last sales period, which ran from July 5 to August 16, a total of 520,532 tickets were sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The biggest number of allocated tickets were for group stage matches like Cameroon v Brazil, Brazil v Serbia, Portugal v Uruguay, Costa Rica v Germany and Australia v Denmark.

“Fans living in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Mexico, the UAE, England, Argentina, Brazil, Wales and Australia led the way and the digital queues by securing the biggest number of tickets,” FIFA said.

Meanwhile, the launch date for the next sales phase will be announced in late September. Over-the-counter sales will also start in Doha after the launch of the last-minute sales phase.

The 64-game tournament begins a day earlier than originally scheduled with the opening ceremony taking place before the host nation kicks off the tournament on November 20 against Ecuador. Notably, it will be the first World Cup staged in the Middle East and Arab.

ALSO READ-FIFA announces schedule for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

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Arab News

Arabic added as official language on FIFA+

Arabic has been added as an official platform language on FIFA+, making the new digital destination for football fandom more accessible to over 300 million* native speakers around the world…reports Asian Lite News

To mark the launch, two new Original documentaries have also gone live; Mo: A Global Icon, charting the impact that Liverpool star Mo Salah has had on the world, and Habsi, a behind-the-scenes journey in to the career of goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, from Oman to the Premier League, FA Cup glory and beyond.

Arabic now takes the number of localised editions for FIFA+ to 10, following the addition of Bahasa, Italian, Japanese and Korean last month to the founding languages of English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.

The news also follows the 2022 addition of Arabic as an official FIFA language, as directed by the FIFA Statutes.

Discussing the launch, FIFA+ Head of Content, James Marley, said: “The Arabic world is rich with football narratives, and we’re not only excited to now be making FIFA+ more accessible to fans in the region, but to start bringing a global audience to many of its incredible stories.

“We’re kicking off with Mo: A Global Icon and Habsi, but there is so much more to come, from grassroots to the professional game – particularly as we head towards the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”

ALSO READ:FIFA announces schedule for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Since launch, FIFA+ has continued to grow to wider audiences and develop new and exciting content streams.

Completely free, it is the new digital destination for football fandom, offering an extensive archive of all men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup matches, thousands of live fixtures every year, interactive games and predictors, and a slate of original documentaries, docuseries, talk shows and shorts, including “Croatia: Defining A Nation”, “Ronaldinho”, “HD Cutz”, “Dani Crazy Dream” and “Icons”.

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India News Sport Sports

FIFA announces schedule for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup


The quarterfinal round of games will be held on 21st and 22nd October following which the semis will be held on October 26…reports Asian Lite News

FIFA and Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 on Wednesday announced the schedule for the biennial youth tournament as Bhubaneswar is set to host India’s group stage matches from October 11, while Goa has been awarded both semifinals.

Meanwhile, the showpiece game is set to be played in Navi Mumbai on October 30. The schedule further revealed that the 24 group stage games will conclude on October 18 and the matches will be shared among all three host states – Odisha, Goa and Maharashtra.

The quarterfinal round of games will be held on 21st and 22nd October following which the semis will be held on October 26.

The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will see hosts India compete in all three group stage games on October 11, 14 and 17. Meanwhile, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa will equally share the four quarterfinal games.

Extending their gratitude to all stakeholders, LOC Project Directors, Ankush Arora and Nandini Arora, in a joint statement said, “We are extremely grateful to FIFA, our host states and all other stakeholders for their continued support in the aligned vision of uplifting women’s football.

“The launch of the schedule is a significant moment on the road to the historic tournament. The preparations for hosting India’s second FIFA competition are progressing as per timelines and we remain confident of delivering a highly successful tournament, one which will provide a platform for future stars of women’s football to shine,” FIFA saisd in a release.

A total of 32 games contested by 16 teams will decide the winner of the seventh edition of the biennial youth tournament over 10 matchdays, with each venue hosting double headers on each matchday. All participating nations now eagerly await the Official Draw on June 24 to find out their definitive path to lifting this coveted trophy in Navi Mumbai.

On the back of the successful FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, which broke the record for being FIFA’s most attended youth World Cup ever, India 2022 is carrying on the positive legacy. This youth tournament has touched the lives of 2500 children through its Kick Off The Dream Football Carnivals, which aim at encouraging gender-inclusive participation.

Promoting women in leadership, the LOC has also equipped the Indian footballing ecosystem with 162 female coaches in the grassroots through its legacy initiative, the Coach Education Scholarship Programme. Further editions of both, the coaching programme and the football carnival, are planned in the lead up to the 11th October kick off.

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Sport Sports

Ivory Coast goalkeeper banned for 18 months

The 33-year-old goalkeeper couldn’t take part in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2022 after being provisionally suspended for the offence…reports Asian Lite News

Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo has been banned for 18 months after testing positive for a prohibited substance, FIFA announced on Monday.

The 33-year-old footballer from Bonoua returned a positive test for trimetazidine, a drug banned because it can boost endurance, after a 2022 World Cup qualifying defeat to Cameroon on November 16.

The veteran footballer, who returned the positive test after a 2022 World Cup qualifying defeat to Cameroon on November 16 last year. The 33-year-old goalkeeper couldn’t take part in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2022 after being provisionally suspended for the offence.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recomended a four-year suspension for goalkeeper, but FIFA’s disciplinary commission considered he had “unintentionally” consumed the prohibited substance, reducing the sanction to 18 months from December 23, 2021.

Gbohouo has won 65 caps for the Ivory Coast and was part of the squad that came up trumps in the AFCON title back in 2015. He was a part of his team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but didn’t get to play a single match in the tournament.

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Sport Sports

Women to referee FIFA 2022 for first time

Qatar is also the first Middle East country to play host to a football world cup which was awarded to the Gulf state in 2010 after a bidding process the aftermath of which grabbed world headlines…reports Mukesh Sharma

The decision of world football body FIFA to appoint women referees for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Doha has added another feather in the cap of the tournament to be held in Qatar.

The tournament to be held in the Middle East country in November-December 2022 has already many firsts to its credit with the timing of the event being the most prominent.

All football world cups until now have been played in the summers and Doha will become the first city in the world to hold the tournament in winter.

Qatar is also the first Middle East country to play host to a football world cup which was awarded to the Gulf state in 2010 after a bidding process the aftermath of which grabbed world headlines.

“The move to appoint women referees underlines gender equality, following the latest equal pay move of USA Football teams for both genders. But only when we are not considering similar changes as sensational can it really indicate equality,” said Lu Wenao, a sports journalist previously working for Chinese state media and now based in London.

With the Gulf state hosting the tournament for the first time, all neighbours, including football fans in conservative Saudi Arabia, are looking forward to the event for which Qatar is preparing on a war footing, with future-ready stadia, advanced infrastructure and an unprecedented building spree.

Rizwan Rehmat, a senior sports journalist based in Doha for more than two decades, believes it’s a seminal moment for women’s role in the game, going by the fact that it’s a first for men’s World Cup.

“However, the game is developing very fast and women’s football has really picked up pace. So, the move to appoint women’s referees for the upcoming World Cup doesn’t surprise me, Rehmat added.

The country of 2.7 million people has accelerated building infrastructure in the run-up to the tournament with concerns growing among the population over soaring house rents and rising prices.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasised a “FIFA Cup of unity and peace,” underscoring the value element of the beautiful game.

Infantino recently said in Doha: “This will simply be the best World Cup ever. The greatest show on Earth will have over three million spectators here and over five billion people watching it at home. The world will be united in Qatar and for this reason, my thanks go to the people of Qatar…”

The Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina said in a statement: “We are very happy that with Stephanie Frappart from France, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan, as well as assistant referees Neuza Back from Brazil, Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico and Kathryn Nesbitt from the US, we have been able to call up female match officials for the first time in the history of a FIFA World Cup.”

“This concludes a long process that began several years ago with the deployment of female referees at FIFA men’s junior and senior tournaments. In this way, we clearly emphasise that it is quality that counts for us and not gender. I would hope that in the future, the selection of elite women’s match officials for important men’s competitions will be perceived as something normal and no longer as sensational. They deserve to be at the FIFA World Cup because they constantly perform at a really high level, and that’s the important factor for us.”

FIFA World Cup 2022 will be played in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.

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Canada Sports

Canada qualify for FIFA World Cup

When Herman was hired in 2018, men’s football had little relevance in Canada due to poor World Cup qualification results and the popularity of ice hockey…reports Asian Lite News

Canada men’s football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals for only the second time ever with a 4-0 rout of Jamaica. The nation’s only previous appearance in the tournament was 1986 in Mexico.

Entering the match on Sunday night, John Herdman’s squad needed only a draw against Jamaica to capture one of the three spots from the CONCACAF (North, Central American and Caribbean) region for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in November.

The team didn’t hold back and gave the fans at BMO Field a dominant performance with goals from Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan and Junior Hoilett, followed by a late own goal by defender Adrian Mariappa, Xinhua reports.

“When I first took over, I said we’re going to qualify for the World Cup and I don’t think anyone believed us,” said 46-year-old head coach Herdman. “All of these fans have waited, waited, and hung in with us.”

When Herman was hired in 2018, men’s football had little relevance in Canada due to poor World Cup qualification results and the popularity of ice hockey.

Since taking over, the team’s fortunes have quickly turned around with their FIFA ranking jumping from 89th to 33rd since February 2018.

“We’re a football country. That’s all we ever wanted. We wanted that respect,” he added after the match. “We just kept believing and we’ve got talent.”

The squad of 38 features talented players in the top divisional leagues across Europe and North America. The most notable is 21-year-old Alphonso Davies, who currently plays for Bayern Munich and is considered one of the world’s best full-backs.

Canada become the 20th team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which will feature 32 nations vying for the ultimate prize in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.

The remaining 12 teams will be decided in the coming days before the draw on April 1 to determine the eight groups.

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India News Sports

BYJU’S named official sponsor of FIFA World Cup

With 150 million learners around the world, BYJU’S has been leading in tech-driven, personalised and engaging educational content and products…reports Asian Lite News

EdTech company BYJU’S has been announced as an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Through this partnership, BYJU’S will leverage its rights to the FIFA World Cup 2022 marks, emblem, and assets, and run unique promotions to connect with passionate football fans around the world. It will also create engaging and creative content with educational messages as part of a multifaceted activation plan.

“FIFA is dedicated to harnessing the power of football towards the goal of enacting positive societal change. We’re delighted to be partnered with a company like BYJU’S, which is also engaging communities and empowering young people wherever they may be in the world,” said Kay Madati, FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer, in a statement.

“We are excited to be sponsoring the FIFAAWorld Cup Qatar 2022, the biggest single-sport event in the world. It is a matter of pride for us to represent India on such a prestigious global stage and champion the integration of education and sport. Just as footballA inspires billions, we at BYJU’S hope to inspire the love of learning in every child’s life through this partnership,” added Byju Raveendran, BYJU’S founder, and CEO.

Byju Raveendran

With 150 million learners around the world, BYJU’S has been leading in tech-driven, personalised and engaging educational content and products. The company has expanded to cater to a large student community globally – from K-12 and competitive exam preparation to early learning and coding to professional upskilling courses.

It has also empowered 3.4 million students from underserved communities with digital learning in India and aims to reach 10 million students in its home country by 2025.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will take place from November 21 to December 18, 2022.

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Arab News News Qatar

Qatar welcomes tourism drive ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar welcomes tourism drive ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar welcomes a series of elite international sporting events…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe…reports Asian Lite News

Continuing a tourism drive from an ATP tennis competition to European Tour golf and the MotoGP, the country has in store for adventure-hungry visitors looking for professional sporting activities.

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “Sport brings people together and hosting international sporting events allows us to be part of, and to facilitate, cross-cultural moments of human achievement and utility. The country’s ability to host these events demonstrates the trust in Qatar’s ability and health and safety measures to keep players safe when competing at world-class venues. We look forward to welcoming outstanding players, management teams, and of course all the fans to Qatar throughout the year.”

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Sports & Adventure

Day 1

* Morning

* SUP tour of The Pearl-Qatar

* Afternoon

* Immersive horseback riding with the Al Shaqab Racing Academy

* Evening

* Sunset kayaking at the mangroves

Day 2

* Morning

* Round of golf/quad biking

* Afternoon

* Desert safari to Inland Sea

* Evening

* Overnight desert camping

Day 3

* Morning

* Scuba diving at GMC Reef

* Afternoon

* Sandboarding near Sealine camp

* Evening

* Relaxing spa experience

Qatar welcomes tourism drive ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

* FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (November 21-December 18, 2022)

Fans can expect to see a FIFA World Cup like no other, with the incredible atmosphere of centrally located stadiums, beautiful hotels and authentic culture. All stadiums are located within a 55 kilometre (35 mile) radius of Doha, making it extremely accessible for supporters to travel from one match to the next.

Upcoming sporting events in Qatar

* Katara International Horse Festival (February 2-12, 2022)

Discover Qatar’s rich equestrian heritage and learn how the country is a pioneer in breeding purebred Arabians at this 10-day event in Katara Cultural Village. The festival offers various activities for guests to experience, including a horse exhibition and parade, light show, art and painting exhibits, as well as numerous food and beverage stalls.

* Qatar Masters (TBC 2022)

This European Tour golf tournament has been held in Doha since 1998 and rotates between Qatar’s two championship-level courses, Education City Golf Club and Doha Golf Club. Previously won by the likes of Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Paul Lawrie and Henrik Stenson.

* The Qatar Open (February 14-19, 2022)

As part of the ATP 250 tour, this annual men’s professional tennis tournament is played outside on hard courts. Famous victors have included Boris Becker, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

* Qatar Ladies Open (February 20-26, 2022)

This professional women’s tennis tournament is a WTA 500 event on the WTA Tour. Previously won by famous players such as Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova and the defending champion Petra Kvitove.

* Al Adaid Desert Challenge (TBC 2022)

The Al Adaid Desert Challenge is an extreme sports race that features on the International Cycling Union calendar. The gruelling event involves 60 kilometres for cyclists and 28 kilometres for runners, starting from the Sealine area and stretching to one of Qatar’s most impressive natural wonders: the ‘Inland Sea’, or Khor Al Adaid.

* Grand Prix of Qatar (March 4-6, 2022)

One of the most exciting events on the MotoGP calendar, the motorcycle race will take place at the impressive Losail circuit, which recently hosted the 2021 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix. Having hosted the first-ever floodlit MotoGP back in 2008, this location never fails to impress. Notable winners have included Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

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Sport Sports

FIFA’s 2021 Best awards: Lewandowski beats Messi, equals Cristiano

Lewandowski rated the ‘Best award’ above the Ballon d’Or. Awards get important when coaches and players do “the main voting”, the Bayern striker added…reports Asian Lite News

Robert Lewandowski has no regrets not having received a vote from Lionel Messi for the FIFA’s Best male player awards of 2021. While Portuguese superstar Ronaldo placed the Bayern Munich striker on first position in his voting, the Argentine striker left him out in his choice for the first three.

After Messi outpaced the 33-year-old Pole in last years’ Ballon d’Or, Lewandowski managed to turn things around and won the FIFA award by four votes ahead of Messi and Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah (9 votes behind).

“You have to ask him about his voting,” the Bayern striker said in an interview to Xinhua. “I think I didn’t do anything wrong and gave him reason to be upset aside from maybe sporting reasons. It was his decision not to vote for me and I respect that,” said Lewandowski.

Lewandowski said he is not upset and can’t say anything negative about his award rival.

“At the Ballon d’Or, he voted me as the second. Now it’s a different competition. Maybe it’s why I voted him second at the Ballon d’Or,” the 2020 treble winner said.

While the Ballon d’Or is a competition with only journalists voting, the ‘Best award’ is run by half of the voters recruited out of national coaches and international players.

Lewandowski rated the ‘Best award’ above the Ballon d’Or. Awards get important when coaches and players do “the main voting”, the Bayern striker added.

“They know what it means to be and stay at a top level,” the attacker said. Awards one wins with his team’s support are the most important ones, the Polish team captain added. A vote like this goes beyond statistics, he said.

The Bayern player voted for Chelsea’s midfielder Jorginho as first followed by Messi and Ronaldo. “Jorginho scored important goals as a midfield six; that means something.”

Lewandowski praised Ronaldo for delivering the highest level “no matter for what club he is playing.”

After having scored his 300th goal in the national league, the Bayern forward said he is thinking about new records.

By scoring 41 goals last season, the Pole broke the nearly 50-year-old national league season record of German icon Gerd Muller (40 season goals 1971/72). Muller’s 365 career goals in the national league seem within reach.

“It’s nothing for this season. And everything else is a thing of the next years,” Lewandowski said.

The Pole said there is no need to talk about a contract extension as his current one expires in 2023.

He also indicated he won’t be retiring before the age of 35.

“I do a lot of things to keep at the top, but I still discover new things around my body. I gained a lot of experience that makes me currently stay in the best shape,” he said.

He is looking forward to another fruitful season with Bayern. “If you manage to deliver a satisfying performance on the pitch it doesn’t play a role for what club you play,” he said.

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