Mohamed Bin Hammam AFC President “I believe that it will not take us very long to make an even bigger impact on world football”
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f not for Mohamed bin Hammam, President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Qatar would have remained inconspicuous in the game of football. Armed with his leadership skills, Hammam has brought passion for the Games to the country. His visionary efforts have led to Qatar consistently claiming the honours in Asian football and also qualifying for FIFA’s under-17 and under-20 tournaments. His role in the country’s bid for the 2022 World Cup is also not to be taken lightly. He is widely seen as the successor of Sepp Blatter but recently made a statement saying that he won’t challenge Blatter for the FIFA Presidency next year.
Nasser Al-Attiyah Rally Driver “Stardom comes only after years of persistence and hard work. The name that I have built is a result of 20 years of hard work.”
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asser Al-Attiyah is the youth icon of the country. His name is included in the Guinness Book of World Records after he bagged three global titles in 2008, the Middle East, Cross Country and World Cup. He also brought home the crown of Dakar Rally 2010, a hugely prestigious title. But for him, accolades mean much more than personal fame. “Sports is no longer a pursuit of personal acclaim, it is a tool to bridge gaps, inspire the hopeless and push causes.” To the young, who are pursuing a career in sports, he says, “The name that I have built is a result of 20 years of hard work. Our problem is that we want to reach the podium as soon as we have started our journey and that is impossible.” November 10
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