QU presents study findings on Violent and Antisocial Behavior at International Sporting Events

Qatar University (QU) presented the results of a research on “Violent and Antisocial Behavior at International Sporting Events” and the lessons for Qatar in a workshop at the university.

The workshop attracted a large number of participants from within the university and outside including academics, decision makers and game practitioners. The presentation aimed at guiding the preparations for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and promoting partnerships, given that this will be the first time the World Cup takes place in the Middle East. As a result, this advanced research study was conducted to identify the phenomenon of violence and its nature as well as causes of riots in sporting events, in anticipation for the event in Qatar, and to improve methods that respond or prevent this phenomenon.

Dr. Mariam Al-Maadeed, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU said, “The hosting of 2022 FIFA World Cup along with other world sport championships by Qatar is a sign of the country’s excellence. Such achievements highlight how Qatar excels in various fields, particularly in security, as it is among the world’s safest countries. Hosting this event in the Middle East is a historic moment and can correct people’s misconceptions about this part of the world, which has been influenced negatively by the media.”

She adds, “Our goal of hosting the FIFA World Cup is to bridge the gap between east and west, to promote cultural understanding among people and familiarize the whole world with what the people of this region can bring to the world. The event will contribute to the development of not only Qatar, but various countries in the region and will direct young people to positive paths such as production and creativity that showcase their talents and abilities. The legacy we aspire to create through organizing this tournament includes the transfer of knowledge and the acquisition of expertise in various fields, including the field of security. We hope that meeting today is part of an ongoing effort to develop security efforts and pave the way for countries that will host similar major sporting events around the world.”

The workshop presented the results of a research study through RAND Europe, which is an independent not-for-profit research institute. RAND Europe provided an overview of the study in relation to Qatar, discussed other research horizons and involved various actors in assessing the possibility of adopting available evidence based strategies. The workshop works to unite efforts, based on the knowledge and experience of the participants and the lectures in this conference with the aim of implementing the research. In addition, the discussions were an opportunity to create a research reference for the World Cup and enhance opportunities of partnership between QU and decision makers, in order to improve use of evidence as a base in the development and evaluation of sports policies.

One of the anticipated outcomes of this research is to give participants a deep understanding of violence in sports and how to respond to that violence. Creating a research profile for planning the World Cup will help build a reference for policymaking decisions and help QU create new relationships, allowing the university to play a vital role in this major event. QU will continue to invest in human capital by integrating students into discussions and training related to 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar preparations.