Doha unveils world's largest indoor sports dome

The sports facility that will host the Asian Games was officially opened in Qatar yesterday.

Sports legends Diego Maradona, Pele, Ed Moses, Said Aouita, Mark Spitz, Nadia Comaneci, Hicham El Guerrouj and Rabeh Madjer were in Doha for the largest sports festival ever organised in the Middle East.

The three day 'Spread Your Wings' event will run until tomorrow and kicked off with a welcome from the president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge.

The multi-million dollar ASPIRE project, which includes facilities for more than 30 sports, is the largest indoor sports dome in the world.

It covers 290,000 square metres and can sit 15,000 spectators within its 46 metre height.

The dome houses an Olympic swimming pool and diving area, an athletics track, gymnastics hall, games hall, football pitch and five-a-side pitch, 11 tennis courts, 13 table tennis courts, eight fencing strips, two squash courts and a judo and karate studio.

It is attached to a school and a boarding school which have seven outdoor football pitches and full educational facilities.

Speaking to delegates on the sports science conference, Rogge said: "It goes beyond anyone's imagination. I had heard and read a lot about ASPIRE, but what I have seen today puts me in an atmosphere of awe.

"We believe that sport is a tremendous education. We know that it strengthens the body but it also strengthens the mind."

In December 2006 athletes from more than 80 countries will be competing in the landmark development.

ASPIRE's director general Dr Thomas Flock said: "When I came to Qatar a few years ago, ASPIRE was just a dream in the desert sand. We have worked very hard to make our dreams come true. Our mission is to encourage wide participation in sport.

The ASPIRE dome is a milestone for the sporting world and provides a source of inspiration for athletes, in Qatar and across this region, inspiring talented children and developing their skills to enable them to perform on the world's stage.

A football tournament with competitors from the youth sections of Ajax, Bayer Leverkuson, FC Barcelona, Arsenal and the ASPIRE team was started on day one of the festival.

Youngsters also enjoyed a kick-around with football legend Diego Maradona and met Brazil great Pele.

An opening ceremony, which took place yesterday evening, saw a performance from the world famous Cirque du Soleil.

The dome houses an Olympic swimming pool and diving area, an athletics track, gymnastics hall, games hall, football pitch and five-a-side pitch, 11 tennis courts, 13 table tennis courts eight fencing strips, two squash courts and a judo and karate studio.