The bid committee added Qatar soccer association president and former national team star Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Qatar Investment Authority legal department director Hassan Al-Thawadi.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the son of the emir, said holding the tournament in the Middle East would improve relations between the West and the Arab world.
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The small but wealthy Gulf nation has used sports to try to boost its international profile, including hosting the Asian Games in 2006 and becoming a stop for several major tennis tournaments. Qatar will host the 2011 Asian Cup soccer tournament.
Source:
Qatar appoints members of World Cup bid team
The International Herald Tribune
March 24, 2009
