The second venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Al Janoub Stadium, was inaugurated in Doha on Thursday. The Al Janoub Stadium is the first stadium to be built from scratch for the Qatar World Cup and was thrown open to the public when it hosted the Amir Cup final that saw defending champion Al Duhail trounce Al-Sadd side 4-1 to retain its title.
The match was of great significance as it marked the last game of Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez's glorious career.
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Here's all you need to know about the newly constructed Al Janoub Stadium:
1) The stadium was designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. She was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 and also won the UK’s most prestigious architectural award, the Stirling Prize, in 2010 and 2011.
2) The stadium's design is inspired by the sails of traditional dhow boats and is aimed to highlight Al Wakrah’s traditional industries, including fishing and pearling.
3) It cost 2.1 billion Qatari Rial (Rs 4050 crore/$576 million) to build the stadium.
4) The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system installed at Al Janoub Stadium will cool the spectator areas using under-seat supply terminals. Additionally, there is also a pitch cooling system that supplies air across the pitch and into the field of play.
READ | The ‘coolest’ part of FIFA World Cup 2022
5) The stadium has a retractable roof made out of 1,400 pieces. It will provide shade to the pitch, contribute to the efficiency of the stadium’s innovative cooling technology and protect the interior of the stadium from harsh weather conditions.
6) Over 50 percent of the budget for the Al Janoub Stadium has been invested in the local economy. Qatari companies have made a major contribution to the stadium’s construction and the main contractor was a joint venture between three companies, two from Qatar, Midmac and PORR Qatar, and Belgium-based company Sixco.
7) The stadium currently has a seating capacity of 40,000 and will be reduced to 20,000 after the FIFA World Cup. The top tier of the stadium will be removed after the tournament and donated.
8) The pitch was laid for the first time in March in a record time of 9 hours and 15 minutes.
9) After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Al Janoub Stadium will become the home of Qatar Stars League team Al Wakrah Sports Club.
10) The Al Janoub Stadium will host a few group stage matches and possibly a quarterfinal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
11) It is one of eight stadiums that will be used at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is the first one to be newly constructed.
(The writer is in Qatar on an invitation by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy)
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