Quintessential Qatar
A -salaam -aleikom!
My latest basketball adventure finds me in Persian Gulf bordering Saudi Arabia to the tip of Arabian Peninsula in Doha, Qatar. Pronounced like “cutter”, Qatar is a sheikhdom and an OPEC nation that boasts of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. Some of the best US colleges and Universities ala Georgetown, Texas A&M, Cornell and soon; I was told Harvard Law have campuses here. I was an invited guest of the Qatar Basketball Federation/ Olympic Committee and the US State Department.
My lasting memories of Doha will most certainly be the colors: The Green, Gold, Red, Lt. Blue and Grey basketball jerseys of the 100 or so (8 teams) participants at Al Garafah Stadium; The beautiful maroon of the prominently displayed Qatar National flag; the Bluest of skies–seemingly only found in the desert. The Red/Black/White of TGI Fridays/ The Green of Starbucks/ and Red/ Gold of McDonalds (that somehow comfort and annoy at the same time). And; of course, the men dressed in the white and red Ghutra wrapped with a black coil called an Ogaal and decked in long white robes called Bisht. And of course, The women (though not all), dressed in traditional all-black Darra’h (dress), called the Abaya complete the head-toe covering in a Sheila (hijab) vaiel. I will also remember the professional atmosphere and kindness of everyone at the Qatar Basketball Federation and the impressive skyscraper that functions as the Olympic Center head quarters— and yes; Qatar is bidding for 2012 Olympics!
How’s this for ‘Dialogue for mankind’, basketballs were shot and dribbled in four locations in 8 days and in 5 languages, Arabic, Hindi, Mahrati, Mandarin and English (with translation help of course!). The youth, excited to learn arrived early and were in full force. Hyper excited throughout the morning drills session, started asking early on, “When can we play games?” A common global theme! The assistant coaches were great, although some of the drills were new, instructed with passion. I taught them ‘knockout’ – I think Doha hoops will never be the same. I was lucky as Will Burgess, strength coach for the National Team, and native of New Orleanean and Arena Football Player stretched out the kids and was a great resource. Basketball in perspective, prayer break mid clinic was arranged in a private room off the court on Friday afternoon.
Working for diplomacy in this region these days is not easy; but the American Consulate Cultural Attache Steven Korchuba manages with ease. This native Pennsylvanian speaks fluent Arabic and knows the lay of the land. He and his partner Mr. Mohamed Ahmed arranged successful clinics at MES Indian School, Hamad bin Abdalla bin Jassim Preparatory Independent School, and the Omar bin Khattab Preparatory Independent School. School officials made us feel right at home! The most inspiring group was the young ladies from the Indian School of Doha, they stayed at school from 6am and had to work straight thru to play with us at 4:30. They came in full Saris and big smiles and killer set shots.
It is tough to comment if I witnessed the next NBA superstar on this trip. What I did see is a culture that from the periphery appears so foreign was in actuality quite similar. As a human race from West to East English to Arabic we really resonate similar global fears and concerns. We all pray for peace, and look for mutual respect, understanding and the safety of generations to come. Hopefully that if we can play together, we can live together.
A special thank you to everyone at the Qatar Basketball Federation especially President FIBA Asia Shk. Saud Bin Ali Al-Thani, Asst. General Secretary Rasheed S. Al-Abdulla, Tech. Expert Dr. Moustafa M. Diab, Rasheen and everyone at the American Consulate and Profesor Amir for making me feel so welcome and at home.