According to media reports, the former world football star David Beckham is to receive the equivalent of almost 180 million euros over the next ten years in order to serve as the face of the “sports nation” Qatar. The fact that he is also acting as an ambassador for the controversial World Cup in Qatar has brought a lot of criticism to the 47-year-old.
In a video message broadcast at the Generation Amazing Youth Festival in Doha, an international school exchange program, he fervently spoke of a “day to dream”. Beckham attests that the host country, which has been accused of “sportswashing” by hosting the World Cup, has made great progress in terms of tolerance and inclusion.
Like all great footballers, the World Cup organizers had a dream. “Nearly two decades ago, a small group of football lovers from Qatar had an equally fantastic dream: ‘That they could bring the greatest football show on the planet to their home country,’ enthuses the ex-Real Madrid player. But for Qatar it’s not just about that what’s happening on the field The field is just a “platform for progression,” says Beckham.
“You share Generation Amazing’s twin passions for football and for making the world a more tolerant and inclusive place.” Qatar and its ambassadors would change lives for the better, Beckham is certain.
“The Generation Amazing Youth Festival 2022 is the first international school exchange program to take place parallel to the Fifa World Cup,” says the official event website. Schools from 32 countries are to take part in the one-year support and exchange program. According to their own statements, the festival is not only supported by Qatari ministries and FIFA, but also by UNESCO.
In addition to David Backhin, the organizers are also promoting other football legends as ambassadors. These include ex-Brazilian national team captain Cafu, Cameroon icon Samuel Eto’o and ex-Barcelona player Xavi Hernández. Fifa boss Gianni Infantino was also at the festival in Doha.
Qatar is under massive criticism as the host country of the World Cup. Homosexual acts are forbidden in the state on the Arabian Peninsula and can be punished with up to seven years in prison. The human rights organization “Human Rights Watch” accused the state of arresting and abusing queer people in several cases at the end of October.
The emirate is also accused of massive human rights violations in the construction of the football stadiums. According to human rights organizations, the number of people who died from heat, sudden cardiac death or overexertion alone is more than 15,000. The Qatari Labor Minister Ali bin Samich Al Marri described calls for compensation for the bereaved as an “advertising stunt.”
Sources: “The Guardian”; “Generation Amazing”
