DOHA, QATAR--(Marketwired - May 28, 2013) - The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee appointed Amsterdam ArenA and IMG as the Stadium Operations Consultants for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ on Sunday.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, expressed his enthusiasm following the appointment of the two Stadium Operations Consultants:
"We are looking forward to working together closely with these two extremely professional partners, who between them have invaluable experience in stadium operation in some of the most significant sporting sites across the globe."
"The appointment of Amsterdam ArenA and IMG is crucial in delivering an outstanding 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are thereby placing a key focus on an amazing fan and player experience in all our stadiums," he added.
Stadium Operations Consultants assist on the development of business cases for all of the competition venues of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ including, stadiums, stadium precincts and training sites, in alignment with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee's goals and the Program Wide Strategy.
The consultants will also work on developing the Program Wide Business Plan relative to stadium operations.
Amsterdam ArenA and IMG will perform technical reviews for all competition venues at each individual design stage, assessing operational aspects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, including catering and commercial strategies; venue operations pre-tournament, during the tournament and post-tournament; safety and security; pitch and building maintenance; access zones; precinct functionality and operations; technology integration; overlay elements analysis confirming tournament functionality and sustainability.
Henk Markerink, CEO of Amsterdam ArenA, stated, "I am impressed by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee's ambitious and professional approach to the organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and I feel a shared commitment to make the World Cup in Qatar an amazing event with a great legacy to Qatar and the world. We are very honored and pleased to be part of the Q22 team. By involving us in this early stage and letting us develop the Program Wide Strategies on various subjects we can optimally contribute to the organization of the World Cup."
Iain Barnett, Vice President, from IMG's Stadium Group, said, "IMG is honored to have been selected to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on its ambition for an amazing World Cup. We are delighted that the perspective of stadium operators has been integrated at such an early stage of the development process which is vital not only for successful delivery of the tournament but also a sustainable legacy."
IMG is a global leader in venue commercialization, financing and development. IMG's stadium clients include some of the best-known sporting stadia in the world, including Wembley Stadium, the Maracana in Rio De Janeiro and Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
About Amsterdam ArenA Amsterdam ArenA is a team of specialist consultants and stadium managers for conception, development and operation of multifunctional venues.
Amsterdam ArenA is the owner and operator of the multifunctional football stadium in Amsterdam, home of A.F.C. Ajax and recently host of the UEFA Europa League Final. It is also a world renowned specialist in the development and management of (multipurpose) venues around the world. Clients include Donbass Arena; Ukraine, Olympic Stadium Kiev; Ukraine, Spartak Moscow; Russia and Olympic Stadium Berlin; Germany. Besides this Amsterdam ArenA is involved in the day-to-day management of two 2014 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Salvador and Natal; Brazil and Arena Porto Alegrense, home of football club Grêmio in Porto Alegre; Brazil.
About IMG IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with 3,500 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG's areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG's Joint Ventures in India, Brazil, China and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Golf and IMG Tennis; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com . Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IMG_Worldwide and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMGWorldwide .
Contact: Jim Gallagher IMG (212) 774-4419 Email Contact Jennifer Bozzelli IMG (212) 774-4416 Email Contact
