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Exclusive: Ronald De Boer - Qatar Can Host A Great World Cup And Is A Real Contender For 2022
The race for the 2022 World Cup is hotting up...
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Dec 8, 2009 7:19:29 AM
Former Barcelona and Ajax star
Ronald De Boer believes that Qatar is in the running to host the 2022 World
Cup and will do a great job if the decision goes its way.
De Boer, who played over 60 games for the Netherlands, ended his career in the Qatar league and has joined the 2022 bid team as an ambassador.
Goal.com caught up with the 39 year-old in Cape Town on Friday to ask why he was supporting Qatar and not the Netherlands/Belgium bid.
“I live in Qatar and have done for six years and stopped playing two and a half years ago,” De Boer said.
“I didn’t stay because of the bid but I stayed because I love the country. I have three daughters and I think it is a great environment to bring up your kids. When they asked to be an ambassador, I had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’.
“I hope to be part of history and bring the first World Cup to the Middle East. I want to help.”
At the moment, Qatar is not yet a frontrunner but the ex-Rangers man insisted that the middle-eastern nation can spring a surprise.
“Everybody has a fair chance of winning and if you don’t try, you will never know. Without a doubt, Qatar has the possibility to win.
"They will have the most beautiful stadiums that you will ever see and I think the fact that it is a small country is an advantage as football is for the fans and it may be cheaper for the fans as they don’t have to travel too much.
“It is important that people get to know the Middle-East. For me, this is important. There are a lot of misconceptions about the Middle East. When I first left Holland to play in Qatar, nobody knew where it was and now, everyone knows. I want to tell everyone that it is such a hospitable and friendly nation and beautiful."
"They are so passionate about football that you wouldn’t believe. People say to me ‘Ah, I remember the game you played in 1998 and I remember the games with Ajax’ and they talk about those games and I think, ‘how is it possible that you know that?’
“When you see Algeria against Egypt then you can see how passionate it is. If I can help bring the World a little closer, I would love to help.”
De Boer also dismissed concerns that summer in Doha will be too hot for the players.
“With the technology nowadays, we can air condition the whole stadium so there’s no problem. I played in Orlando at the 1994 World Cup when it was 40 degrees and it felt like 50 degrees, so I don’t think there is any room to doubt that at that time we can play. I am not worried about that.”
John Duerden
Asia Editor
john.duerden@goal.com
De Boer, who played over 60 games for the Netherlands, ended his career in the Qatar league and has joined the 2022 bid team as an ambassador.
Goal.com caught up with the 39 year-old in Cape Town on Friday to ask why he was supporting Qatar and not the Netherlands/Belgium bid.
“I live in Qatar and have done for six years and stopped playing two and a half years ago,” De Boer said.
“I didn’t stay because of the bid but I stayed because I love the country. I have three daughters and I think it is a great environment to bring up your kids. When they asked to be an ambassador, I had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’.
“I hope to be part of history and bring the first World Cup to the Middle East. I want to help.”
At the moment, Qatar is not yet a frontrunner but the ex-Rangers man insisted that the middle-eastern nation can spring a surprise.
“Everybody has a fair chance of winning and if you don’t try, you will never know. Without a doubt, Qatar has the possibility to win.
"They will have the most beautiful stadiums that you will ever see and I think the fact that it is a small country is an advantage as football is for the fans and it may be cheaper for the fans as they don’t have to travel too much.
“It is important that people get to know the Middle-East. For me, this is important. There are a lot of misconceptions about the Middle East. When I first left Holland to play in Qatar, nobody knew where it was and now, everyone knows. I want to tell everyone that it is such a hospitable and friendly nation and beautiful."
"They are so passionate about football that you wouldn’t believe. People say to me ‘Ah, I remember the game you played in 1998 and I remember the games with Ajax’ and they talk about those games and I think, ‘how is it possible that you know that?’
“When you see Algeria against Egypt then you can see how passionate it is. If I can help bring the World a little closer, I would love to help.”
De Boer also dismissed concerns that summer in Doha will be too hot for the players.
“With the technology nowadays, we can air condition the whole stadium so there’s no problem. I played in Orlando at the 1994 World Cup when it was 40 degrees and it felt like 50 degrees, so I don’t think there is any room to doubt that at that time we can play. I am not worried about that.”
John Duerden
Asia Editor
john.duerden@goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
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