Major General Dahlan Al Hamad, president of the Qatari and Asian athletics federations and of the Doha Diamond League meeting’s organising committee, spoke at the press conference about the sponsorship arrangements for the global event and what the championship itself meant. He began by welcoming those present and officials from Multiple Services Company, which will sponsor the federation’s championships and activities for a full season, starting with the Doha Diamond League meeting, the first of the IAAF’s commitments this season, and he expressed satisfaction at signing the agreement with Aspetar. He said Aspetar took a keen interest in sport in Qatar in general and athletics in particular, adding that the federation was proud to have Aspetar as a sponsor of this championship, which brings together the finest athletes and champions in world athletics.
He said Aspetar cared deeply about the human element, with its officials placing health at the forefront, which made the athletics federation proud to have Aspetar sponsoring both the federation’s domestic championships and the Diamond League, noting at the same time that world champions and the IAAF were well aware of Aspetar’s capabilities and the role it plays in athletes’ careers, especially since the IAAF medical committee chairman, Dr Alonso, serves as the hospital’s director. Al Hamad said: “We are always pleased to have Aspetar sponsoring the Qatar Athletics Federation, both locally and at the level of global challenges, and Aspetar is a destination for athletes from all over the world, with a reputation known worldwide,” thanking Khalifa Al Kuwari, director of Aspetar, for this interest and partnership. He said: “Everyone knows we are on the eve of the Diamond League meeting, and we are honoured that Multiple Services Company has joined as a sponsor of the championship and all the federation’s commitments for the coming season,” adding that the partnership reflected cooperation between the two sides and that the company’s officials had a strong sense of national duty. Major General Dahlan Al Hamad added that, despite its many commitments, Multiple Services had come forward to sponsor the Qatar Athletics Federation, out of a belief that the mother of sports needed encouragement, stressing that Qatari sport was enjoying a golden era thanks to the full support and sponsorship of state officials. Asked how contact with the company came about, he said: “Multiple Services is well known and its services to the country are significant. We got in touch based on the company’s own wish to sponsor the Diamond League and all the championships organised by the federation,” stressing that the ambition and desire were also there on the athletics federation’s side. Asked whether other companies would join in sponsoring the Diamond League, he said: “The door remains open for sponsorship, but at the same time Multiple Services has secured the official spot and will be the main sponsor of the Diamond League meeting and the rest of the federation’s commitments in the coming period
