Following a “fantastic” experience covering the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, a Doha Stadium Plus sports reporter has returned to Qatar to share his observations about the tournament’s host.

In a recent DSP column, journalist N. Ganesh gave Brazil tops marks in terms of organization, friendliness and fun, and based on his experience there offers this advice to Qatar to ensure a successful 2022 World Cup:

• Qataris should try harder to mix with the expat population. They “must understand how it feels like mingling with the foreigners living in their own country. Only then can they welcome the fans from abroad with open arms. Brazil could do that.”
• The 2022 World Cup experience should be enjoyable even when there’s no matches on. “They must ensure there is enough avenues for them to have fun. Some of the experiences Brazil could offer are not permissible in Qatar due to the region’s sensitivities, but there will be a lot of takers for those that are unique in the Arab world, be it the cuisine or dune bashing.”
• Train policemen better. In Brazil, those who managed the crowds rarely postured, asserts Ganesh. Even after Brazil flamed out 1-7 against Germany, traffic flowed smoothy, he said. In Qatar, however, big football matches always end up falling into chaos, in large part due to poor security: “Sadly, year after year, it is the forces who panic more than the public before the Emir’s Cup final. It results from a lack of preparation and homework. It is the events that should shine and not event managers.”

What tips would you add? Thoughts?