DOHA: Qatar’s 2022 organising committee has revealed the name and design for another of its World Cup stadia – a 60,000-capacity venue in Al Khor which is scheduled to stage a semi-final in eight years’ time.

The stadium and surrounding precinct will now officially be known as Al Bayt, Al Khor City, and will incorporate community facilities.

Early work has already been undertaken on the site which is due for completion in 2018.

The stadium has a modular design, which includes an upper tier of removable seats which would be removed after the finals for a stadium capacity reduction to 32,000.

The precint will include landscaped paths for residents to use as horseriding, cycling and jogging tracks.

A statement added: “There will also be dedicated women-only facilities.”

FIFA awards

The latest launch comes against an ongoing background of controversy over the original awards of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively by the world federation FIFA’s executive committee in December 2010.

Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary-general of the SC, said: “The launch of Al Bayt Stadium & Precinct will honour Qatar’s past while fully embracing the country’s global future.  The launch of the design for our second proposed stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is another milestone of progress, demonstrating our deep commitment to delivering an amazing experience in 2022 and beyond”.

A statement describing the contest of the stadium added: “Al Bayt Stadium & Precinct will be located close to the coast, but it will also introduce fans and visitors to the culture of the desert.  The name and design of the stadium is modelled after Bayt Al Sha’ar, a black-and-white tent used traditionally by nomadic people in Qatar and the region.

“For those travelling through the desert, the sight of such a tent on the horizon meant an invitation to receive hospitality.  Inside the tent, the red-patterned sadu fabric will represent the traditional Qatari textile design to the international visitors and remind the local community of the heritage and tradition of producing sadu fabric, which is also reflected inside the stadium.”

Breaking ground

The SC said that construction work will be in line its Workers’ Welfare Standards.

Last month ground was broken on the 40,000-seat Al Wakrah stadium site for which foundations are due to be laid in September. It is also due to be completed in 2018.

The number of stadia for Qatar 2022 remains uncertain. The bid rules demanded a proposal between 12 and 18. Qatar projected 12 but it seems likely that the number will be reduced to eight next spring.

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