Indian football fan credits Qatar for making travel smooth for differently-abled during FIFA World Cup 2022
FIFA World Cup 2022 is nearing its business end with Argentina and France all set to fight for the ultimate football glory on Sunday. Affordable tickets and the presence of a sizeable NRI population in the Arab country allowed many Indians to catch the World Cup action live in Qatar. Meanwhile, a traveller from Kerala who was in Qatar has shed light on a little-discussed yet important aspect of the World Cup.
George Mathew, who watched multiple games in Qatar, lauded the country for making World Cup accessible to the differently-abled. In a Facebook post, George Mathew mentioned numerous steps taken by Qatar to make things smooth for differently-abled fans.
Qatar made extensive measures completely aware that travelling is not easy for many differently-abled guests. The service was effective and assuring, George felt.
“Ask anyone with some kind of disability to understand how challenging travelling is. Taxi, wheelchair, buggy service, accessible public transport… You will be in a soup if even one among these falls flat,” George wrote.
He said while there were hiccups in the beginning due to poor coordination, the volunteers in Qatar managed to make it smooth and supportive as the tournament progressed. George said he was pleased with how the volunteers made people in wheelchairs comfortable even on busy metro trains, and the seating arrangements made for the differently-abled at the stadiums.
“…many facilities were provided for those with mobility issues, including seating arrangements in a comfortable special area. No previous World Cup has had so many differently-abled people in attendance (let the numbers come). The volunteers were also always trying to make things easier,” he wrote.
Transcript of George Mathew’s facebook post on his Qatar World Cup experience:
It was noticed that accessibility was given great importance from the beginning of this edition of the FIFA World Cup. The presence of friends who could guarantee accommodation and the relatively affordable fares gave wings to World Cup dreams. It was during the sales that I found out that accessibility tickets were cheap and a companion ticket was given free. The moment a close friend declared his willingness to come, the decision was made.
We planned and took five tickets during the second phase of the sales. We got all five when they picked the lots (there was a draw). Then it was a race to prepare for the journey. Everything was arranged, slowly, one at a time.
(What preparation? Book the ticket, get the visa and just go when it’s time, right? No… ask anyone with some kind of disability to understand how challenging travelling is. Taxi, wheelchair, buggy service, accessible public transport… You will be in a soup if even one among these falls flat It is a topic for a long essay)
I reached (Qatar) after understanding about mobility options available in detail. The first two games were difficult. I had to walk a lot.
The main problem was that many volunteers did not know about all the facilities and the mobility marshals themselves lacked coordination. There was a golf cart, a wheelchair, a priority line, an elevator, and a special entrance… it just lacked coordination. Many of the volunteers were helpless. Seems like there were a lot of complaints. The system became flawless ahead of the next games. There were no problems going forward.
Hundreds with different kinds of disabilities came as many facilities were provided for those with mobility issues, including seating arrangements in a comfortable special area. No previous World Cup has had so many differently-abled people in attendance (let the numbers come). The volunteers were also always trying to make things easier.
The Metro service is worth a special mention. All we have to do is to request a wheelchair from any officer at the entry point outside the station. They will ensure a wheelchair facility from that point to the last station of the trip. When we alight, the next team will be waiting based on a wireless message. They will accompany us to the bus point or parking. Most fans use the metro service. Yet they ensure wheelchair entries face no challenge in the trains and manage the crowds effectively. Their service was truly heartening. Absolute professionalism!
