(MENAFN- The Peninsula) DOHA: The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has launched new, state-of-the-art training facilities for Al Rayyan Sports Club alongside Al Rayyan Stadium.
The new, 40,000-seat stadium, a proposed venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, will host games up to quarter-finals. The pitches will be used for the upcoming season of Qatar Stars League (QSL). They were completed as part of an early works package for the club to continue with its operations until the stadium is ready in 2019.
The inauguration ceremony on Wednesday night was attended by players, coaching staff, club management and senior officials from the SC.
'It";s a great achievement to get Al Rayyan Sports Club back on home soil for training ahead of such an important season as they look to defend their QSL title,” said Ghanim Al Kuwari, Executive Director, Competition Venues, Technical Delivery Office, SC. At the opening ceremony, he said: 'As is the case with all of our venues, we stress the importance of receiving feedback from the local community and stakeholders which, in this case, was the club.
'We heard exactly what they wanted from the precinct and the stadium. The opening of these pitches marks a pivotal moment in the development of the site and the club and gives a glimpse of what the finished Al Rayyan precinct will look like in 2019,” he added.
Last month, the SC announced that Qatari contractor Al Balagh Trading & Contracting and India";s biggest construction firm, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L & T), had been appointed as main contractors to build Al Rayyan Stadium.
'We are honoured to be part of joint efforts in delivering this milestone. The new facilities combined with the emotional boost of returning to Al Rayyan site gives the club a lift and hope heading into such an important season,” said Ali Salem Afifa, Football Operations Manager, Al Rayyan Club.
'In just over six years, the first ball will be kicked at 2022 World Cup and we are proud that Al Rayyan and the new stadium will play such a big role in the world";s biggest football tournament,” he added.
Al Rayyan football star Sebastian Soria said: 'The team is thrilled to be back and all are looking forward to our pre-season training on the new pitches. It";s not unusual for training grounds and sporting stadiums to be world-class in Qatar, and the new training sites for Al Rayyan are no different. This motivates us more ahead of the new season and everyone at the club is excited at the prospect of moving into our new permanent home in 2019.”
The Peninsula