Staff Reporter
Nagoya: Qatar’s growing culture of volunteering and its legacy of hosting major sporting events were highlighted at Bayt Qatar during the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Japan.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) showcased the legacy of its Qatar Volunteer Programme at Bayt Qatar, a Qatar Olympic Committee initiative that provided visitors with an interactive experience highlighting Qatar’s heritage and sporting achievements.
The Asian Games were held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, bringing together athletes and visitors from across Asia.
Former volunteers who contributed to the delivery of major sporting events in Qatar, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and Qatar Football Season 2025, formed part of the SC delegation at Bayt Qatar.
Their participation offered an opportunity to highlight how volunteering has developed into an important part of Qatar’s sporting legacy and community engagement, while also showcasing the experiences gained through major international events.
Haya Al Noaimi, SC Event Workforce & Volunteers Executive Director, said Qatar’s sporting legacy had helped foster a strong culture of volunteering that had contributed to enhancing fan experiences.
“By involving our volunteers in Bayt Qatar, we wanted to showcase how volunteerism has become a deeply rooted culture in Qatar that lasts well beyond a single event,” she said.
Al Noaimi added that the programme aimed to inspire more people to volunteer, participate in future events and become part of the growing community developed through Qatar’s major sporting events.
“Our biggest legacy is a robust community of experienced, passionate and talented volunteers, who are actively shaping Qatar’s events heritage,” she said. “Their experience strengthens the nation’s wider capability and continued readiness in hosting major regional and international events.”
Among those representing Qatar at Bayt Qatar was Qatari volunteer Ali Al Khater, an oil and gas industry professional who worked as a guest relations volunteer during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Al Khater said his experience during the tournament demonstrated how sport could bring people from different cultures together around a common goal.
“Volunteering at Qatar 2022 showed me how different cultures can come together as one team to achieve a common goal. This is the power of sport,” he said.
He added that meeting Japanese fans in Aichi-Nagoya provided an opportunity to revisit memories of the World Cup while sharing Qatar’s passion for sport and hosting major tournaments.
Architecture student and volunteer Lolwa Bu Karbal also participated at Bayt Qatar. A fluent Korean speaker, she served as a translator for the South Korean national team during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, helping share Qatar’s culture with players and fans.
Bu Karbal said volunteering had provided opportunities for cultural exchange and helped people learn about different communities.
“Events like the World Cup and Asian Games are a celebration of diversity,” she said, adding that volunteering allowed her to share her passion for Qatar’s history and heritage.
The programme also featured Qatar-based Japanese volunteer Katsuko Suzuki, an avid football fan who has participated in several major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.
Suzuki, who has lived in Qatar for 18 years, said volunteering had given her a first-hand understanding of the extensive work involved in delivering international football tournaments.
She said the experience had also enabled her to share stories about Qatar with Japanese audiences, highlighting common values including hospitality, pride in heritage and a shared love of football.
More than 20,000 volunteers supported the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Since then, Qatar has continued to build on that volunteering legacy through a series of major sporting events.
In 2025, about 4,000 volunteers supported a record-breaking football season that included the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, alongside the U17 and U23 Gulf Cups.
Qatar will also host the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 from November 19 to December 13, with 750 volunteers set to support the tournament across nine functional areas.
The country’s growing volunteer community will also play a role in upcoming international events, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, FIFA Arab Cup 2029, 2029 FIVB Volleyball World Championship and Asian Games 2030, as Qatar continues to strengthen its position as a host of major sporting, cultural and entertainment events.