Doha, 19 November 2022 (TDI): FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is all set to begin in Qatar on Sunday. The opening match is between the host country and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor City.
Following the ideology of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, “to maintain cordial and peaceful relations with neighboring countries,” Pakistan has now taken over the responsibility for FIFA World Cup & is leaving no stone unturned to help their brothers in Qatar.
Security troops
Pakistan has sent thousands of soldiers to provide security during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Although several other countries have sent Police forces and security companies to Qatar.
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But Pakistan is the only country to send soldiers to Doha, with more than 4,500 infantry troops arriving in Qatar in October.
Additionally, a Navy Ship TABUK arrived in Doha on 15 November. PNS TABUK will provide Seaward Security during World Cup.
This is a testimony of the abiding brotherhood between Qatar and Pakistan. At present, Pakistan has signed a deal with Qatar under Operation World Cup Shield. Pakistan Army is responsible for arranging security measures for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Pakistani-made Footballs
The FIFA World Cup footballs were manufactured in Pakistan through ‘Forward Sports’, a Sialkot-based company, by Adidas.
Qatar officials named the football “Al Rihla” which means “the journey” in Arabic. Its weight ranges from 425 to 445 grams while its size is from 68.8 cm to 69.3 cm.
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Jean-François Pathy, FIFA’s Director of Marketing declared the football a sustainable and high-quality Official Match Ball.
It is worth mentioning here that the Sialkot-made football is the first FIFA World Cup ball made exclusively with water-based inks and glues.
Artwork
On a special art invitation from the Qatar Museum in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2022, Pakistani artists from team Phool Patti developed a truck art mural in Qatar.
The mural is located at the Al Mansoura Metro Station on the Doha Metro’s Green Line, which serves the Al Mansoura District and Najma District. It is 23×33 feet in size and promotes the beauty of Pakistan’s heritage and art through traditional truck art.
FIFA trophy tours Pakistan
Back in June, the glittering trophy of the FIFA World Cup 2022 finally arrived in Pakistan as part of the FIFA Trophy Tour 2022. It was the second time in four years that the trophy was brought to Pakistan as a souvenir.
Former FIFA Cup winner from France, Christian Karembeu brought the trophy to Pakistan. He was received at Lahore airport by Pakistan’s women’s football icon, Hajra Khan.
Karembeu said that he was amazed to see the enthusiasm of football fans in Pakistan and it was a pleasant experience. He thanked Pakistan for a warm welcome.
It is pertinent to mention here that Doha and Islamabad increased their cooperation in 2021 after the rest of the GCC states lifted a blockade they had imposed on Qatar in 2017.
In August, the Pakistani army announced it would send troops to help Qatar during the tournament shortly after Doha invested $2 billion in the country.
