The Qatari capital of Doha was named host of the 2019 Athletics World Championships on Tuesday, just days after the Gulf state's football officials were cleared of corruption by FIFA in their successful bid for the 2022 World Cup.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced Doha had beaten off Barcelona and Eugene, Oregon, for the event after missing out to London for the 2017 edition.

"I am sure that in Doha we will have a wonderful edition of the World Championships," said IAAF president Lamine Diack, saying the three bids were "the best presentations we have ever had".

Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the leader of the Doha bid which saw off that of Eugene 15-12 in the second round of voting by the IAAF after Barcelona's elimination, added: "It's a privilege and honour to have the trust of the IAAF.

"I am very delighted that these championships are going to be for the first time in the region. I'm confident that with the help of the IAAF we will organise one of the best world championships."

Doha has proposed holding the event in the unfavourable period from September 29-October 6, with marathons to be held in the evening, in a bid to avoid the searingly hot summer month of August, when the championships are usually held.

The 2015 world championships take place in Beijing from August 22-30, while the London 2017 event is also scheduled for August.

The issue of temperature has also been a factor in the 2022 World Cup, with a push to hold it in the winter months, much to the disgruntlement of the European leagues.

- Controversial choice -

Doha will also be a controversial choice for track and field because most athletics events are wrapped up in early September, with the final Diamond League meet usually held in Brussels on the first weekend of the month, and just a sprinkling of meets following that as athletes head into the off-season before an all-important Olympic year.

Source-http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/news/doha-to-host-2019-world-championships_28042

Doha to host 2019 world championships

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The Rugby World Cup is just one of the countless sports that have an unforetold impact on the lives of the public, most especially those of the sports fans and enthusiasts. What is not apparent is its subtle economic impact that is not often felt by the crowds in the arena.

As early as the 1990s, the academia has been conducting research on the influence of sporting events on the economy. Events such as the British Open Golf Championships in 2004 creates a significant difference on the local economy, says Sheffield Hallam Sports Industry Research Centre Head Professor Simon Shibli.

The researchers conduct surveys on audiences ranging from spectators to corporate delegations. They also analyse event budgets, and study where the money comes from and how it is being spent.

According to Shibli, the cost can reach up to £75m, especially in host areas such as the Wirral and Liverpool. He explains, “Fans and tourists bring in money that normally wouldn't be there. This money benefits accommodation providers, local travel, shops – even car parks.”

Construction of new sports stadium also has a huge influence on various sectors such as construction, tourism, sports retail, and leisure. Gym memberships observe a significant increase during the course of sports tournaments. According to Les Budd of The Open University Business School, “The Giro D’Italia in Northern Ireland stimulated increased cycling and created more interest in the country as an activity holiday destination.”

Adds Professor Chris Brady, director of the Centre for Sports Business at Salford University, sales for TV and tablet usually increase during sporting events. He declares, “There is also the feel good factor that such events generate and when people feel good they spend. However, the evidence does not suggest that there is any lasting effect; we soon revert to the norm.”

The long-term effects on the economy are derived from the rising infrastructure and increasing land values. However, tourists coming in due to the attraction of the sporting fixtures  have a more immediate influence on the local economic activity. Says Omari Williams of the University of Derby, a tourism report by Visit Britain reveals that tourists attending the 2011cEnglish football matches resulted in an increase of £706 million to the economy in 2011. “Winter sports such as football and rugby are extremely attractive tools for tour operators to entice visitors to Britain during quieter periods,” adds Williams.

Moreover, Dr Andrew Cooke of the Nottingham Business School warns, “It's important to identify where the assumptions lie, what has been omitted and who actually sponsored the evaluation in the first place.” 


Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/student/shu/economic-impact-of-sporting-events-10260570.html

The Effect of Sports on Economy!

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Evidence against a key FIFA voter was found by the Brazilian police investigation as payments of many Qatari construction companies into his secret bank account.

One out of the 14 FIFA committee members, Ricardo Teixeira voted for Qatar to host the 2022 world cup. He is also the infamous former head of Brazilian football. 

Widening the area of investigation, Swiss police came to action by raiding the offices of a company in Zurich. The allegations were about a football match played as a friendly match, which was sponsored by a Qatari construction firm who was found to have close links with the emir.

This highly raises the question about the involved companies trying to seek a favor from the royalties of Qatar by building up an influence on the voters, though the payments were not made formally from the bid for 2022 by Qatar. 

Both inquiries enlist Mr. Teixeira’s name as suspect. 

Meanwhile in Monaco transaction details about a secret bank of a judge has been passed on to Brazilian police by him. The Brazilian police was also investigating him in cases of tax evasion and money laundering. 

The account details showed that it held money belonging to some Qatari companies which was in the favor of world cup building projects. 

According to a Brazilian indictment against Mr. Teixeira, the account held about €30 million ($43m). 

All such allegation of his vote being influenced have been denied by Mr. Teixeira. 

He backed his statement by arguing that the Monaco account came into existence after two years of Qatar winning the hosting right for the FIFA world cup, and it comprised of funds only coming from Brazil.

"I voted for Qatar, but I did not ­receive a penny for this," he said.

FIFA World Cup Allegations

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