Building A Legacy

Michael Richardson, Qatar

My name is Michael Richardson. My life has always revolved around football, to one degree or another. When I was young, I would always want to be playing football, making friends with people on the same team, or trying to find ways of beating other people that were my opponents. Either way, life revolved around winning and playing the game in one format or another. I left school and did an apprenticeship in football coaching, whist attending college. I then went to work directly in the football industry as manager of the education programme at Hull City FC Foundation (Tigers Trust) in the UK and at the same time, I worked for their elite football academy. The fact that I worked for both the community scheme and the elite academy has given me a very good understanding on the different social outcomes that are achieved because of the game of football, be they the social pressure of trying to become an elite athlete, or simply playing the game for the enjoyment element.

Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken? 

I wanted to capture players interacting and collaborating in the moment in schools. Whether that is a celebration moment, communication moment, or a shared moment of emotion - good, bad or ugly. 

Other photos are of the workers programme at Asian City, showing the participation moments that football facilitates. Shared elation and celebration for some moments and then quiet, reflective moments during the madness for others. I loved observing the crowd and seeing who is engaged, disengaged and the other emotions or actions as a result of football happening all around them.

In Barwa City, Al Khor, I wanted to capture one man enjoying his time playing football in his own space or playing crossbar challenge one his own. You can see the background housing and the importance of the football goal to that area for the locals to enjoy in their downtime.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

I tried to show the pure joy people can reach when watching a football game - one that is not a top-level game, nor does it have top-level athletes in. I wanted to show how the game of football is used to bring people together in victory and defeat. I also wanted to show how two people can sit together enjoying the atmosphere of a game of football being played but not engaging in the game at all. It breeds an environment and atmosphere of excitement and positive energy.

All the people were engaged in Generation Amazing and they were fully active in the programme.

What is your favourite photo? Why?

I love the energy and excitement that football can bring, but also that while that excitement and positive energy is existing, people can enjoy the energy, but not be concerned with the game itself.

What role does football play in Qatari society?

I think football is playing a bigger role in society now the World Cup infrastructure is taking shape. People play in the street, in parks and in formal playing spaces all night long. There is a huge appetite for the game to be played and developed more and more, especially as the weather becomes more comfortable.

What changes are happening in Qatari football culture?

The game is being played by youth all over the country, boys and girls together. In the past three years there has been a community football league developed and grown from two adult leagues to numerous men’s leagues, numerous children’s leagues and now a women’s league, which is superb. This development in women’s football in particular is huge and one that is impacting people’s confidence to participate in football competitions. One of the most inspiring and genuine legacy outcomes is the evolution of women’s football, as a direct result of the World Cup organising committee.

What is the most surprising or interesting part of Qatari football culture?

I would like to communicate to the football family that the manner in which the football game is being developed in communities, schools and families in Qatar will be seen during the World Cup in 2022. However, the single most exciting thing we will see in the next generation of sports professionals is Qatar emerging onto that scene. We have witnessed an outstanding tournament success at the Asian Cup in 2019 and also sporting success at the World Athletics Championships too. The legacy of these successes on the road to hosting the World Cup will be engagement in sports at a higher level by more Qatari people and Arabic influence in the competitions too.

Why is football so important for your community?

Football is a pastime that exists for people that might be living in Doha without a family support network. Because football provides the opportunity for people to interact in a positive physical game, it results in positive interactions which in turn slowly builds people’s resilience and self-esteem.

What does football mean to you?

To me football gives my young family the opportunity to be close to the most inspiring and community focused event in the world. The game of football means people learn how to positively interact with one another and people of different backgrounds and cultures.

What will be the biggest impact of the World Cup in 2022?

The biggest impact of the World Cup will be a slow but increasingly engaging introduction to the world sports scene for the people of Qatar and the region. The impact of the World Cup in Qatar will be that the world will see the country for what it is, and that it is an extremely welcoming, safe, family orientated culture that promotes positive community values to everyone residing and visiting here. For the nation, by delivering a highly successful World Cup in 2022, it will mean they are well on their way to reaching and being successful in their quest to reach their national 2030 vision.

What is the future for football in Qatar?

The future of football in Qatar is diverse based on experiences whereby youth, male and females see and feel the benefits to themselves and their communities brought about by football. When the country experiences success in many small ways, the game will increase in its popularity and as a result of this it will become engrained in societal norms. For example, when Qatar won the Asian Cup, the nation was so proud of the players that they hailed the Aspire Academy a success, investing more in football in the country’s youth development programmes, making the likelihood of success in the future more and more likely. BOOM, QATAR WINS THE WORLD CUP IN 2030 from a winning goal by a young boy that watched from the stands at the World Cup in 2022.