Qatar, which will host the 2006 Asian Games, yesterday expressed confidence that all facilities for the second-largest multi-sport event in the world after Olympics, would be ready ahead of schedule.

"We will complete everything much before the deadline," Khalid Al Sheibi, the official who heads the committee entrusted with getting ready the multi-million-dollar facilties, told Gulf News.

Qatar scored a surprise victory over Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong to win the  right to host 2006 Asian Games after getting the maximum number of votes at the Olympic Council of Asia's general assembly in the South Korean city of Pusan on Sunday.

Al Sheibi admitted that the facilities in Doha, which is now hosting the 9th Islamic summit, were not on par with that of Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

"But we have submitted detailed plans to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) about the facilties being planned and told them of our experience in hosting several other major international events," he said. "The OCA is convinced we can deliver the goods."

As a first step, two stadiums are already under construction. They will be completed in May next year.

Qatar, Al Sheibi said, would altogether build nine new stadiums and 10 multi-purpose halls for the Games. Doha, which already has one of the best Golf Course in the region, would also build a hockey court and a cycle race track. Qatar has said it would spend $1 billion on facilities for the 2006 Games.

"Plans for a $700 million athlete's village are already on the drawing board and work is to begin soon," Al Sheibi said.
The new facilities would not be confined to the state's capital alone and would cover all major towns in Qatar, he added. Col Dahlan Al Hamad, the president of Qatar Amateur Athletic Federation (QAAF), said Qatar's win was "an achievement for the entire Arab world. The Games are coming back to the region after 36 years."

The QAAF chief ruled out any problem for women's participation in the Doha Games. "Qatar hosted the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) Grand Prix finals in October and top women athletes like Marion Jones and Cathy Freeman took part in the event," Al Hamad said.

Asked whether Qatari women themselves will be taking part in the 2006 Games, Al Hamad said: "Nothing is impossible." Qatar, he said, had already been encouraging women's participation in sports at the school level. "And women from other Gulf countries have taken part in the Sydney Olympics."

Saud Al Mohannadi, secretary-general of Qatar Football Federation, was "thrilled" to hear about Qatar's success. "This will completely transform the sports scene in Qatar."

Asked how the Gulf state's stringent visa conditions will cope with the rush of visitors for the games, he said the government had already made it easier for foreigners to visit Doha. "Rules will be relaxed further as the government is keen to make Qatar a major centre for international sport events."