Staff Reporter
Doha: Fatima Sultan Al-Kuwari, CEO of Qatar’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has affirmed that the country possesses all the elements required to deliver an exceptional edition of the world’s premier multi-sport event.
Speaking during a discussion yesterday with local media representatives covering the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026) at Qatar House in Japan, Al-Kuwari said Doha has embarked on the bid journey with great confidence and national ambition. These reflect the prominent position Qatar has achieved on the global sports map.
She noted that the bid is underpinned by a proven track record of organisational success, advanced infrastructure, world-class sports facilities and human expertise accumulated over years of hosting major championships.
“Our ambition goes beyond hosting; we aim to create a sustainable sporting and human legacy,” Al-Kuwari stressed. She explained that Doha’s bid is not merely an attempt to add another championship to Qatar’s organisational portfolio. Rather, it embodies a comprehensive vision aimed at delivering a distinctive Olympic and Paralympic experience that leaves a lasting, sustainable legacy for the nation, the region and the international Olympic movement.
Al-Kuwari highlighted that over the past few decades Qatar has successfully established a prestigious standing in the sports world by hosting a wide array of continental and global championships. On every occasion the country has delivered an advanced organisational model that garnered praise from participants, international federations and fans alike.
She pointed out that hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 marked a significant historic milestone. It demonstrated the nation’s ability to organise the largest and most complex sporting events while showcasing its capacity to welcome millions of fans, athletes, media personnel and official delegations, providing them with a seamless, comprehensive experience both inside and outside the stadiums.
The CEO emphasised that Qatar’s ambition reflects the nation’s belief in the importance of sport and its role in building communities and fostering connections between peoples. Doha views the Games not merely as a sporting competition but as a global event with multifaceted humanitarian, cultural, social and economic dimensions.
Hosting the event would offer a historic opportunity to present an authentic image of Qatar and the Arab region to the world, showcasing the values, culture and identity that define the region’s people. Al-Kuwari noted that Qatar is approaching the bidding process with the utmost seriousness, fully aware that the journey ahead is long and requires extensive work, planning and coordination. Nevertheless, there is great confidence in the nation’s capabilities and expertise.
“We believe in Qatar’s ability to deliver an exceptional experience. Our goal is to elevate our nation’s profile and present a bid that befits the stature Qatari sports has achieved, while reflecting the significant development the country has witnessed across various sectors,” she said.
Al-Kuwari underscored that the successes of the 2022 World Cup serve as a key pillar for the bid. The tournament demonstrated the nation’s ability to manage major events and deliver the highest standards of organisation, security, operations and service. It also offered a comprehensive experience for fans and a profound human connection, leaving a positive impression on millions of visitors.
The impact of that success endures today in state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure and accumulated human, administrative and organisational expertise. It has solidified a positive global perception of Qatar’s capacity to host major international events.
She explained that Doha is not seeking hosting rights solely for the sake of the event itself but aims to deliver genuine added value to the international Olympic movement. Hosting the Games in Qatar would expand the Olympic footprint into a new region. The Middle East has never hosted the Olympic Games despite its rich history, culture and sports-loving populations. A successful bid would be a major achievement for Qatar and the entire region, offering millions of people across the Middle East the chance to experience the Olympics firsthand.
This would foster the growth of various sports and encourage new generations to take them up. Qatar is well-positioned to serve as a bridge between East and West and as a platform for promoting the values of friendship, respect and understanding that underpin the Olympic movement.
Existing sports facilities are a key strength of the bid. Qatar boasts a wide array of stadiums, arenas and sports complexes that meet international standards and have already hosted global and continental championships. The availability of these facilities significantly reduces the need to construct new permanent venues, aligning with the International Olympic Committee’s focus on sustainability and the utilisation of existing infrastructure.
Qatar’s compact geography offers a significant competitive advantage, allowing athletes and fans to travel between facilities and competition sites quickly. This proximity benefits athlete well-being by reducing travel time and affords fans the opportunity to attend multiple events on the same day, as successfully demonstrated during the 2022 World Cup.
Sustainability is a central pillar of Qatar’s vision. Planning extends beyond the competition period to the post-Games phase, focusing on how all venues and projects can be utilised in the long term. The country has a successful track record of transforming sports tournament venues into facilities that serve the community, as seen with the legacy of the Doha 2006 Asian Games.
The true legacy of the Games goes beyond physical venues. It encompasses a positive impact on people and society by fostering a culture of sports, inspiring new generations and expanding participation. The bid places great importance on the participation of women and youth in sports activities as well as organisational, administrative and leadership roles.
Qatari human expertise is another key strength. Hosting major championships has prepared a large number of national professionals specialised in management, operations, media, marketing, transportation, security, medical services, technology and volunteerism.
Al-Kuwari noted that Doha is currently in the continuous dialogue phase with the IOC under the new host selection mechanism. This stage allows the city to present its vision and refine its approach before advancing to subsequent phases.
She acknowledged the inherent challenges facing any city aspiring to host the Games but emphasised that Qatar views these as opportunities for development. The bid’s strength lies in an integrated ecosystem of facilities, infrastructure, sustainability, human expertise and community support.
Al-Kuwari also spoke about the confidence placed in Qatari women and their growing role in the sports sector. Her selection to lead the bid reflects the opportunities the state provides to young national talent. She highlighted the presence of H.E. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani at the Qatari women’s table tennis matches during the Asian Games as a significant message of support for women’s sports.
“I am honoured by the trust placed in me to lead Qatar’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I fully recognise the magnitude of the responsibility this role entails. I hope that the presence of a young Qatari woman in this position will inspire girls and women to aspire to greater roles,” she said.
Al-Kuwari concluded that Qatar is embarking on the bid process with strong confidence in its ability to succeed and deliver Games whose impact extends far beyond the competition days, ensuring benefits endure for Qatar, the region and the world.