Study focuses on 2022 FIFA World Cup projections and is led by Dr. Wadih Ishac and Dr. Kamilla Swart

Qatar University (QU) and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) collaborated to work on a study entitled “Social Impact Projections for Qatar Youth Residents from 2022: The Case of the IAAF 2019”. The study was conducted by Dr. Wadih Ishac, Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Department of Physical Education at Qatar University and Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries, Associate Professor and Director of the Sport and Entertainment Management program in the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at HBKU.

Using the 2019 World Athletics Championships as an example, this study assessed the social impact and in particular psychic income -which is the emotional and psychological impact affecting Qatar youth residents’ perceptions of hosting major international sport events.

The study is important in the context of research on residents’ perceptions since a significant portion of Qatar’s population is made up of non-Qataris (unlike previous host destinations). Moreover, the youth were the target population for this study given that they have been identified as the custodians of the next generation and as an essential force in molding national development. The study also complements the few residents’ perception studies in Qatar which comprised the general population.

This study found that a positive impact was perceived by the Qatari youth residents. Making projections to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, it emphasized that, due to residents’ or supporters’ passion for football, psychic income will be generated whether or not they physically attend the event.

Furthermore, given the World Cup’s positioning as one on behalf of the entire Arab world, emphasizing local culture may further enhance psychic income. This reinforces the need for conducting the study again among Qatar residents before and after the World Cup.

Many residents within the region will engage with Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, especially since the event is positioned to have a positive regional legacy. Therefore, it will be important to measure whether hosting such an event has a greater measurable positive impact on residents of other countries in the Gulf or the entire MENA region. Furthermore, assessing the psychic income that could be generated from hosting mega sporting events can provide other Gulf countries with greater insights since the majority of these countries are also investing heavily in hosting sports events. It could also help increase collaboration and joint ventures to boost the impact generated and to have a higher impact within the Gulf society.

Commenting on the joint study, Dr. Wadih said, “The study shows that hosting these sport events is empowering Qatar residents by making them appreciate their way of life more, increase their sense of belonging, as well as their well-being. With less than 100 days before the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off, the outcome of this study underscores the effort Qatar is putting towards achieving its objectives by making the region proud, and by providing its residents with a high standard of living for today’s citizens and the future generation.”

Dr. Kamilla Swart said, “Such studies are not only important in understanding the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With Qatar hosting a diverse range of international sport events as it strengthens its positioning as an international and regional sport hub, a cumulative approach to understanding psychic income is recommended.”

Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY