A Life Changing Move

Inamul Hasan, Qatar

I'm Inamul Hasan, from Sri Lanka. I have been living in Qatar for 4 years now. I'm a football lover and happy to be here in Qatar. I work as a Catering Supervisor, but I am also a workers’ ambassador and volunteer coach with the Qatar 2022 legacy programme Generation Amazing. I started playing football during my childhood; Brazilian football player Ronaldinho inspired me. I would be playing football in the streets every evening with my neighbours and friends. So football is my life. 

It has changed my life for the better because engaging in sports protects you from indulging in bad habits or anti-social behaviour. When I was at school, I played football but not as much as I used to play in childhood. Around 2007 I started to play for a local football team called Liverpool FC, named after the legendary English team, and developed my skills as a football player. In early 2016 I got the chance to move to Doha. At the beginning, I missed my country, but then something life-changing happened. In May 2016, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) started the Generation Amazing pilot programme in Asian City. Thanks to Generation Amazing, I got the chance to play football regularly. 

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

I tried to show the passion of playing football in Qatar, especially during weekends and wanted to show the world how football inspires so many people in Qatar. I was especially keen to show the workers of Qatar and how excited they are to be involved in building the stadiums and other facilities for the World Cup. I wanted to show Qatar's football culture and its deep-rooted passion for the beautiful game, while shining a light on the country's diversity. Qatar gives people around the world the chance to find out more about the next FIFA World Cup host nation.

Some of the Stadium construction workers were enjoying and showing their freestyle skills in their free time at Asian City. Football is easily accessible and you do not need a lot of equipment. The rules are simple and universal, everyone can agree. All people love football and Qatar has people who originally come from many different places. Even though they came to Qatar for different reasons, everyone loves football and can play together. Football is also a good way to kill time, keep people out of trouble and stay fit.

Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed? 

Most of the photos were taken during Generation Amazing activity at Asian City. The Qatar 2022 legacy programme Generation Amazing is educating, supporting and encouraging youths and workers in Qatar. Generation Amazing drives social change through the power of football. It also promotes sustainable behaviours among young people in Qatar and across the region. Many participants are benefiting from this amazing program.

Binod from Nepal was preparing the football pitches for the Generation Amazing All Nations Tournament at Asia City. It shows that people are happy to volunteer their time for football. Tony Munnene, a volunteer coach of Generation Amazing, was a linesman during one of the grassroots football games at Asian City.

Workers from Nepal and Kenya were watching the tournament. As you can see, football means happiness. Nothing makes them feel happier than seeing their team score a goal. Fans from the Ethiopian community and supporters of the Shapoorji Palloonji company were also supporting and watching the game that their team was playing. They didn't get tired of cheering their team right until the end! They were so enthusiastic and full of fun. During the final between Petro Serve and Teyseer, the Petro supporters were showing off their African dancing skills and cheering after the first goal of the game.

What role does football play in Qatari society?

Football is essential to Qatari culture because it makes us a family. It brings us together, it allows us to share in something greater than ourselves, it gives us a reason not to hate Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, and it gives us the opportunity to fall in love with something spectacular. Football is the epitome of the Qatar Dream, with many children competing in football training and matches. Qatar as a country pushes for football. No other country in the world is doing what Qatar is doing for football – especially for kids. 

What changes are happening in Qatari football culture?

Qatar is improving football culture in different ways to succeed at a world-class level. Building more football pitches and proper training facilities for the young players through football academies (such as Aspire Academy). The Qatar team’s biggest achievement to date is the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in which it emerged the winner, under the leadership of coach Félix Sánchez Bas, after winning 3-1 against Japan (a four-time winner of this football tournament), despite hostility from the host UAE who did not allow any supporters from Qatar to attend the tournament. Before this historic win, Qatar had never got past the quarterfinals stage in any AFC Asian Cup. 

What is your favourite photo? Why?

Kids from Europe holding a Qatar flag and supporting Team Qatar.  This is my favourite photo because it shows that all the residents of Qatar are giving love and support for this country. We all hope the 2022 World Cup will be remarkable. An Iranian fan was also cheering and showing the love for Qatar during the Major Leagues at Khalifa Stadium.

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

There are many things that the rest of the world should know about Qatar football. The best part is that football first came to the country in the late 1940s, with rapid development starting early the following decade, when Doha Stadium became the first arena with a grass pitch in the Gulf region. The stadium officially opened in 1962, but competitive amateur games were taking place at the site from the early 1950s.

By 1973, this historic stadium near the iconic Corniche had hosted both legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and World Cup star Pelé, who played with the famous Santos team and wowed the Doha crowds with his skills. It is said that the Brazilian striker picked up his first career yellow card during this match, but the story remains unconfirmed to this day.

Why is football so important for your community?

Football is a neutral tool to help development and peace. Football has no language! Football in our community is important because football helps us to educate ourselves, so we all want to change many lives through using football as a tool. Generation Amazing uses football as a tool to educate the young generation.

What does football mean to you?

Football is something I live, eat and breathe. I love everything about it: the teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship and passion. I feel sometimes that I may even be obsessed with football. I have loved football since I was a young boy. Football is something that I am always going to enjoy. Football changes me and many lives around me.

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

The first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East is a real matter. It will change the mindset of the world about Qatar and Qatari football culture and I hope that Qatar will become the most powerful football nation in the world. And it also will create many impacts in the Arab region. The biggest economic impact of the World Cup comes from an improvement of public relations.

Over four billion television viewers tune in for the World Cup. The wealth of Qatar will be seen on the world stage. This will lead to increased tourism and investment in the country. The infrastructure needed to host the World Cup will also lead to a more efficient economy. In addition to a subway system, numerous roads are being built. After the World Cup is over, these new roads and a subway system will result in timesaving benefits that will boost productivity and increase economic growth in the region.

What is the future of football in Qatar?

Qatar will become the strongest football nation in Asia and the world and also will be a host to the world’s largest football events and games in Qatar. Qatar is changing and football will change many lives in Qatar and around the world.