Qatar has spared no effort in its endeavour to bring about a radical transformation in its outlook and identity. The oil-rich peninsular nation in the Persian Gulf has drawn on its vast resources to build up its sports infrastructure to a magnitude very few countries can match.
The FIFA World Cup — November 20-December 18 — will bear testimony to this metamorphosis as the cherubic mascot La Eeb, which means super-skilled player in Arabic, welcomes more than a million fans from across the globe.
