Yaqoub Abdullah, one of the leading administrators in the athletics federation, said Major General Al Hamad’s success in the elections had been expected, given the correct approach he had taken — presenting himself and promoting his candidacy through programmes rather than gifts — which convinced everyone that the post requires vision, since it is a leadership position, and that Qatar, through its people, is able to give a great deal to sport.
Yaqoub congratulated Major General Al Hamad, saying he had worked with full effort to achieve a single goal — that Qatar deserves to hold a senior post in the most important sport in the world — and that just as there were rivals for the post, there were also those who wanted to preserve Qatar’s right to a place at the helm of world athletics, and that Al Hamad was worthy of the post. He affirmed that the result was fair and represents a success to be added to Qatar’s sporting achievements at administrative level.
