From sand to grass: World Beach Games experience leaves Italy wanting more ahead of Qatar 2022
L-R: CONI representative Alessio Palombi, Qatar Sports Press Committee board member Mubarak Al Boainin, Italian beach soccer executive director Ferdinando Arcopinto and head of delegation Massimo Agostini in Katara Beach during the 1st AWBG Qatar 2019
DOHA, October 30, 2019 - Four gold medals, one silver and one bronze is Italy’s scorecard at the ANOC World Beach Games 2019, with the ‘Azzurri’ achieving a remarkable 3rd place in the general ranking. But inside this overall success, there is still room for regret as the hope for a place on beach soccer’s podium vanished on the very last day of the competition. “We are disappointed with the result,” declared Italy’s Executive Director Ferdinando Arcopinto, who believes his nation deserved better. “Against Brazil and Iran were two finals and to go back home without any medal is hard to accept.”
Something underlined also by coach Emiliano Del Duca: “I feel bad for my boys: looking at our performances through the Games, we deserved at least the bronze. But this is beach soccer: a never-ending discipline, that can turn against you even in the last seconds of a match. Now we look forward to bouncing back at the World Cup in Paraguay.”
Despite the lack of symbolic awards, Italian beach soccer at Katara Beach proved to be at the top level, and - from the sand to the football pitch - leaves room for future achievements in Qatar’s upcoming events. “We have been competing on equal terms with the best,” said CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) representative Alessio Palombi. “From the classic-Olympic disciplines to the beach sports, Italy kept answering brilliantly with its athletes, also with prestigious medals here in Qatar.”
“And with Marcello Guidi, we had the honor of winning the first ever gold of the AWBG’s history,” underlined the Italian Ambassador Pasquale Salzano. For the entire duration of the Games, several delegations, from the beach soccer team to the Men’s 5 km Open Water winner Guidi, were received at the local Embassy in Doha. “This global event was another great chance for Italy to display growth in these emerging disciplines and show our value,” added Salzano. “I wish to congratulate all the Azzurri’s team: our success is due to a comprehensive teamwork among athletes, trainers and sport federations.”
The Italian beach soccer delegation received at the local Embassy in Doha during the 1st ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019
ITALIAN PRESENCE IN QATAR - Altogether, hundreds of Italians flew to Doha for the Beach Games. “The organization was excellent,” both Palombi and Salzano agreed. “Sport always succeeds in bringing out the brighter side of a country: we encountered intense passion and commitment from all the locals. Indeed, this event is a calling card for Qatar to show how good they are doing to open themselves to the world. And there is always great sympathy towards Italy.” The CONI’s officer described the enthusiastic hospitality from the host country: “Our athletes have been continuously asked for photos and autographs. Once again, the sporting appearance of Italy is positive and clean: as CONI, we are very proud of this, because it means we are providing a good message on Italians around the world.”
Again Salzano: “Italy here is perceived as a friendly country, on which Qatar can rely and cooperate,” the broader analysis from the Embassy. “We have privileged relationships with Doha, further reinforced by a consistent and multi-level political dialogue, by the local presence of our companies and a professional network in many sectors that contributes significantly to the growth of the national economy.” Numbers are revealing as the Italian export to Qatar grew by 38 percent in the last year. “A successful formula for this country, where the culture for beauty and welfare, from which Italy can get benefits, is rapidly spreading among young generations.”
The Italian beach soccer delegation received at the local Embassy in Doha during the 1st ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019
FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 IN VIEW – The Italian Ambassador has also witnessed the Qatari engagement in sports beyond the Beach Games. “Just before those, the country hosted the IAAF World Championships and in 2018 the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Qatar has been establishing itself as a regional modern hub for the organization of sport events. And now, it can look with confidence at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.”
Salzano has been following closely the work in progress for the major event that will be held in 2022. “Qatar can boast the latest infrastructures in terms of efficiency and environmental sustainability. What is going on here is a far-reaching transition, which aspires to achieve socioeconomic development through sport. This is becoming very popular both for leisure and for civic engagement: sports are supported as training tools for new generations and for public health and wellness.”
The crucial issues are facilities and managerial know-how. “And the country is developing in both. For the latter, Italy cooperates in the foreground with Qatari authorities: Bocconi University, for instance, is offering a training course in management of major events for the FIFA WC’s organizing committee. Moreover, Qatar has a growing attention for sports’ legality, as a summit of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance to fight corruption and criminality inside sports, was held in Doha last September. Inside this very positive context, one main problem emerges as the climate conditions for outdoor competitions can be exhausting.”
However, since the World Cup will take place in December, athletes are not going to experience the heat of the Beach Games. “The Qatari rush for the World Cup is proceeding at a rapid pace and taking into account all the criticalities: the country, and Doha especially, is experiencing great urban transformation, with all the stadiums currently at advanced stages of implementation.” Eight venues, five of which are still under construction and will be connected by the ultimate metro service built for the event. “We are talking about top quality and far-future facilities, for which also Italian companies have provided technical expertise on the most sophisticated technologies.”
The countdown has started - ready to call to Doha, people from all over the world. “It is still difficult to predict the exact amount of the touristic flow for 2022, but Qatar is preparing at its best to welcome a high number of visitors both in terms of infrastructure and large-scale acceptance.” Whichever way, the AWBG 2019 proved to be a successful test bench.
Something underlined also by coach Emiliano Del Duca: “I feel bad for my boys: looking at our performances through the Games, we deserved at least the bronze. But this is beach soccer: a never-ending discipline, that can turn against you even in the last seconds of a match. Now we look forward to bouncing back at the World Cup in Paraguay.”
Despite the lack of symbolic awards, Italian beach soccer at Katara Beach proved to be at the top level, and - from the sand to the football pitch - leaves room for future achievements in Qatar’s upcoming events. “We have been competing on equal terms with the best,” said CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) representative Alessio Palombi. “From the classic-Olympic disciplines to the beach sports, Italy kept answering brilliantly with its athletes, also with prestigious medals here in Qatar.”
“And with Marcello Guidi, we had the honor of winning the first ever gold of the AWBG’s history,” underlined the Italian Ambassador Pasquale Salzano. For the entire duration of the Games, several delegations, from the beach soccer team to the Men’s 5 km Open Water winner Guidi, were received at the local Embassy in Doha. “This global event was another great chance for Italy to display growth in these emerging disciplines and show our value,” added Salzano. “I wish to congratulate all the Azzurri’s team: our success is due to a comprehensive teamwork among athletes, trainers and sport federations.”
ITALIAN PRESENCE IN QATAR - Altogether, hundreds of Italians flew to Doha for the Beach Games. “The organization was excellent,” both Palombi and Salzano agreed. “Sport always succeeds in bringing out the brighter side of a country: we encountered intense passion and commitment from all the locals. Indeed, this event is a calling card for Qatar to show how good they are doing to open themselves to the world. And there is always great sympathy towards Italy.” The CONI’s officer described the enthusiastic hospitality from the host country: “Our athletes have been continuously asked for photos and autographs. Once again, the sporting appearance of Italy is positive and clean: as CONI, we are very proud of this, because it means we are providing a good message on Italians around the world.”
Again Salzano: “Italy here is perceived as a friendly country, on which Qatar can rely and cooperate,” the broader analysis from the Embassy. “We have privileged relationships with Doha, further reinforced by a consistent and multi-level political dialogue, by the local presence of our companies and a professional network in many sectors that contributes significantly to the growth of the national economy.” Numbers are revealing as the Italian export to Qatar grew by 38 percent in the last year. “A successful formula for this country, where the culture for beauty and welfare, from which Italy can get benefits, is rapidly spreading among young generations.”
FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 IN VIEW – The Italian Ambassador has also witnessed the Qatari engagement in sports beyond the Beach Games. “Just before those, the country hosted the IAAF World Championships and in 2018 the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Qatar has been establishing itself as a regional modern hub for the organization of sport events. And now, it can look with confidence at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.”
Salzano has been following closely the work in progress for the major event that will be held in 2022. “Qatar can boast the latest infrastructures in terms of efficiency and environmental sustainability. What is going on here is a far-reaching transition, which aspires to achieve socioeconomic development through sport. This is becoming very popular both for leisure and for civic engagement: sports are supported as training tools for new generations and for public health and wellness.”
The crucial issues are facilities and managerial know-how. “And the country is developing in both. For the latter, Italy cooperates in the foreground with Qatari authorities: Bocconi University, for instance, is offering a training course in management of major events for the FIFA WC’s organizing committee. Moreover, Qatar has a growing attention for sports’ legality, as a summit of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance to fight corruption and criminality inside sports, was held in Doha last September. Inside this very positive context, one main problem emerges as the climate conditions for outdoor competitions can be exhausting.”
However, since the World Cup will take place in December, athletes are not going to experience the heat of the Beach Games. “The Qatari rush for the World Cup is proceeding at a rapid pace and taking into account all the criticalities: the country, and Doha especially, is experiencing great urban transformation, with all the stadiums currently at advanced stages of implementation.” Eight venues, five of which are still under construction and will be connected by the ultimate metro service built for the event. “We are talking about top quality and far-future facilities, for which also Italian companies have provided technical expertise on the most sophisticated technologies.”
The countdown has started - ready to call to Doha, people from all over the world. “It is still difficult to predict the exact amount of the touristic flow for 2022, but Qatar is preparing at its best to welcome a high number of visitors both in terms of infrastructure and large-scale acceptance.” Whichever way, the AWBG 2019 proved to be a successful test bench.
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