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Qatar asks Kuwait to co-host Cup

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 26: There are suggestions by host country Qatar to involve Kuwait in co-hosting some matches of 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the first week of December may witness the lifting of ban on Kuwaiti sport, says international sources, reports Al-Jarida daily.

They indicated ongoing meetings between Kuwaiti and international sports authorities to get the ban on Kuwait sport lifted, in coordination with Doha. The daily quoting reliable sources disclosed that series of meetings have been held with concerned officials from Kuwait and Qatar who also suggested inclusion of Oman in co-hosting some matches of the tournament.

The same sources noted the proposal has reached advanced stages and requires the approval of FIFA. They pointed to positive response from FIFA so far, although Kuwait needs to fulfill certain requirements with regard to the playing fields and meeting FIFA criteria in that concern.

The country is also expected to facilitate entry and departure of players and spectators to Kuwait by providing more than one flight between Kuwait and Qatar on a daily basis. Kuwait is also required to find a solution to the issue of advertisements in stadiums, as some of the advertisements may not be allowed by Kuwaiti laws—while contracts have already been signed with sponsors of the event and FIFA in that regard.

Diplomatic sources noted Kuwait has started taking necessary steps by consulting Turkey on the possibility of establishing international stadiums within a short time. They affirmed that Turkish Government has accepted the challenge to build a 30,000 capacity international stadium within two years at a cost of KD 20 million.

They added Kuwait will engage Turkey in establishing four international stadiums in a direct contract between the governments of both to avoid bureaucracy. It is worthy of note numerous technical errors have been observed concerning Jaber Stadium, which must be rectified to be included in the venues for co-hosting matches of the tournament.