Qatar's World Cup 2022 dilemma: To be or not to be

Publicity – Turning it Around

This in turn brings me to my final point that is publicity. The recent spate of events has highlighted the deficiencies present in the system. But publicity of any nature does bring a certain sense of allure about the country and makes one notice it. Qatar has the opportunity to change the viewpoint of the world.

In an era where information is available 24X7, Qatar can instead swiftly implement the labor reforms, improve the migrant workers’ status and carry on with their vision of Qatar 2022. Et Voila!!! all the negative imagery can immediately be turned around thus promoting the efficiency of the state.

The recent murmurings of the WC2022 venue being shifted is something that shouldn’t be entertained at all. Greg Dyke, Chairman of the English FA has recently aired his views on how England could step in as replacement hosts. The reasoning for such an idea of replacement hosts being not entertained is purely economical. It is understood that Qatar may have erred in their bidding process but to take a World Cup out of their hands at this juncture would endanger a lot of jobs.

The societal aspect of relocation of venues shouldn’t be overlooked. Countries which are known as developed nations have the tag for a reason. Their ability to balance issues of governance along with the societal effect of their policies is reasoned in nature. Society and economy should go hand in hand, not at the cost of each other.

The trickledown effect in the event of relocation would be felt most by the migrant worker. The migrant workers who have sacrificed and faced hardships to reach Qatar for the jobs in question would be left jobless and wouldn’t have means to go back to their state as well. The aim after all is to make them secure rather than pushing them in a vortex of insecurities. As a state Qatar’s dilemma is not of a nature that is irrevocable in nature.

"To be, or not to be" the opening phrase of a soliloquy in the "Nunnery Scene" of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, where Prince Hamlet contemplates death and suicide, captures the current situation of Qatar. Instead of bemoaning, like Hamlet, Qatar has the opportunity to write a new chapter by implementing changes which can be admired by all. The unfairness of life aside acknowledging that the alternative might be still worse, is something Qatar should turn into their strength.

A World Cup which can bring change to society will spread more happiness and make audiences more guilt free when they sit down to enjoy the spectacle, is something all will cherish and rejoice. As a state Qatar can be the harbinger of change.