The opening of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum further cements the country's position as a major international sporting hub, and highlights its importance as a diplomatic tool in fostering peace and unity among nations, it is learnt.
"The opening of the 321 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum also proves that sport is once again a cornerstone of this country's policy in building its future," Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan told Gulf Times. Qatar has long been acknowledged for its big role and achievement in the world of sports, he pointed out."As far as I know, at least since it had successfully organised the Asian Games in 2006, Qatar has continued to be a regular host of various world-level sporting events, starting from Tennis, Formula 1, MotoGP, including the World Cup 2022," the envoy said.
"This certainly proves the international community's trust to Qatar. I think putting sport as a diplomatic tool is the right decision because the role of sport in building friendship between nations has been widely acknowledged," the Indonesian ambassador observed.
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum at the Khalifa International Stadium in Aspire Zone features interactive exhibits and a wide range of rare and notable collections, marking the achievements of sports, athletes and the Olympics.
Ambassador Hassan noted that Indonesia also sees Qatar as a strategic partner in the sports field, citing that in 2021, the Indonesia Olympic Committee signed a Sports Cooperation agreement with the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).
"Indeed, the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was somehow limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as the Covid-19 policy becomes more eased, I hope that the implementation of this MoU can be even more optimal in the future. I believe that this Sports Museum can be a bridge for increasing people-to-people contact for all communities in Qatar, including the Indonesian community.
According to Qatar Museums Chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, 3-2-1 is the first museum in the Middle East dedicated to achievement in sports. Designed by Spanish architect Joan Sibina, the museum is spread over approximately 19,000sq m, making it one of the largest of its kind.
"With the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture 2023, the relationship between the two countries will be getting closer in the future," the envoy added.
International Walking Football Federation in Qatar and Asia Pacific president Farhan al-Sayed said the opening of the museum underlines Qatar's significant contribution in the field of sports as it hosts major global sporting competitions, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
As Qatar won the bid to host the Asian Games in 2030, he said "this is just a preparation for the country to eventually host the Olympic Games."
Al-Sayed echoed the view of ambassador Hassan, highlighting the efforts of Qatar, being a sports hub, in fostering peace, unity and camaraderie among nations.
As Qatar won the bid to host the Asian Games in 2030, he said "this is just a preparation for the country to eventually host the Olympic Games."
Al-Sayed echoed the view of ambassador Hassan, highlighting the efforts of Qatar, being a sports hub, in fostering peace, unity and camaraderie among nations.
