Growth Of A Nation
Brooke Reid, Qatar
My name is Brooke Reid. I’m an Australian woman who moved to Qatar in 2008. I’ve been fortunate to work in a variety of roles associated with football, including at Aspetar and as the Head of Transport for the AFC Asian Cup which was hosted by Doha in 2011. Since moving to Qatar my love for football has grown and I’ve attended two FIFA World Cups (South Africa and Brazil) and a FIFA Women’s World Cup (France).
Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken?
A match between one of my favourite club sides Al Sadd and Duhail, as part of the Qatar Stars League. Five minutes into injury time at the end of the match, Al Sadd were down 2-1 against Duhail, but suddenly an own goal saw Al Sadd draw level and avoid the loss.
I showed one of the new-ish public football pitches which is close to the city centre of Doha, with players meeting up for a match after work. There is also a view of Doha’s skyline as seen from the Museum of Islamic Art park. Lastly there was a group of young players, including my niece, having oranges at halftime in their match.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
For me football in Qatar has grown alongside the country itself. The contrast between when I arrived in 2008 to now is significant, both in terms of the country’s social and economic development as well as the way that football is played, viewed and engaged with. Ten years ago, it was difficult for members of the public to find a pitch to play on and crowd numbers at local matches were typically very low. As the country has grown, so too have the opportunities for people to play and watch football. The pictures from the Al Sadd match and the public pitches really remind me how far we’ve come.
What is your favourite photo? Why?
Looking across the skyline I’m reminded of how much Doha and the football world here in Qatar have grown. When I arrived in the country that skyline probably had 30% of the buildings it does now. Today, the role that football plays in Qatar and the country’s stake in the global game have grown exponentially.
Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?
The first match I went to in Doha was an Al Sadd match at Gharafa Stadium, not far from Lusail Stadium. At half time a representative from the fan club came to me with a small paper bag which contained a team shirt, a CD of photos of the club and some brochures. I’m forever grateful for that small token of appreciated and from that moment I was committed to supporting Al Sadd’s team. Although I don’t get to attend every game that they play, I still enjoy going along to cheer for Al Sadd with friends.
What role does football play in Qatari society?
Winning the right to hold the FIFA World Cup back in 2010 was an important moment in Qatar’s history on the world stage. The country was recognised as having the capacity to host this football mega-event and everyone joined together at that moment. To me though, it was in January 2019 that football really brought Qatar together. Qatar’s young team had the odds stacked against them when they went to the UAE. The support that the Qatari side received back at home, from Qatar’s residents and expatriates, during these final matches and following the 2019 AFC Asian Cup win was unlike anything I’ve experienced while living here. Songs played during that time continue to be played as a memory of the moment, and players are feted as the national heroes that they are.
What changes are happening in Qatari football culture?
While professional football has been present in Qatar for a number of years, more recently players, coaches and administrators have actually started to treat the sport as more of a profession. This approach has meant a better quality of football, fans can really feel passionately about a team and the way that they perform, and administrators finally have a truly marketable product. Young people can look up to home-grown players and see themselves following in their footsteps rather than admiring international players from afar. In years gone by you would only see young Qatari children wearing FC Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid shirts. Now you can see children proudly wearing the Duhail, Al Sadd or national team colours when they’re out with their families.
What is the most surprising or interesting part of Qatari football culture?
Contrary to the beliefs held by many in the West, many women in Qatar have a strong interest in football. Some are passionate fans of teams in the QSL, others support the national team, and many could rattle off the statistics for Barcelona or Real Madrid matches. When I attended the AFC Asian Cup in the UAE, I received many messages via Instagram and Twitter from Qatari women thanking me for attending and supporting their team. While they may not attend matches in stadiums as frequently as women in other countries, I think that social change is already beginning to happen.
Why is football so important for your community?
Football is important for me, as I’ve built my own community through it. Living away from my home country I now have a group of friends with whom I attend local matches as well as catching up to view international games. There are places that I can visit in Qatar and know that I will always bump into like-minded friends who enjoy football.
What are the opportunities for female footballers in Qatar?
Sadly, opportunities for female footballers are still relatively limited but I think that we’re on the cusp of this changing. I think opportunities for women can only continue to grow in Qatar. That said, concerted efforts still need to be made to ensure that culturally appropriate platforms and venues are readily available for women. These initiatives should be run by women who have experience working in sport and understanding of the culture to ensure that they flourish.
What does football mean to you?
Football to me means equality. You can be the wealthiest fan in the corporate box at the stadium or watching at home with your family and you both enjoy the highs and lows with your team. There’s something inherently human about sharing a victory with strangers.
What will be the biggest impact of the World Cup in 2022?
For Qatar and those who live here the World Cup will be the realisation of plans and dreams that have driven the country for over a decade. While some entities are working to ensure that stadiums, hotels and train stations are ready, others are committed to delivering a host country that is prepared to receive a diverse range of tourists and ensure that they enjoy their visit.
By the time November 2022 arrives I truly hope that Qatar is ready to receive their football fans. I think we’ll all be proud to show visitors what strong leadership and hard work can deliver for even the most unlikely of host countries. For the rest of the world, the World Cup in Qatar will introduce them to a culture and location unlike any other event they’ll have attended before. Most people know the region as somewhere you fly though, not realising how hospitable the people can be. I’ve been to World Cups in Brazil and South Africa, so I can only imagine what incredible memories can be made at a World Cup in Qatar.
What is the future for football in Qatar?
As the World Cup comes and goes and the community in Qatar grows, I believe that football will become more egalitarian. It will no longer be limited to clubs and academies but played by people across the country. Men and women will have access to the legacy facilities courtesy of the World Cup, and this will help, not only for the sport of football, but with managing some of the health issues which currently exist in Qatar.
