A sporting chance

As long as I can remember, I've wanted to work in a field where I can use my interests and experience to make some kind of a difference to the world.

My compassion was in the right place, but it took me a few years to discover where my real passion lay.

Coming from a family full of doctors, and with my love of children and small things, it was inevitable that as soon as I could pronounce the word 'Paediatrician', that's what I decided I wanted to be. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that to be a doctor it was vital to have a keen interest in the chemical and molecular sciences and that dream rapidly evaporated (dad joke).

Next, having completed my undergraduate degree in Geography at Nottingham, I thought I might like to try my hand at becoming an environmental lawyer...until I researched just what I'd have to do in order to get there (I have friends at Uni who used to joke that the real meaning of LPC was 'Lots of Pretentious Cr*p'...although this may say more about the people I hung out with than anything else).

Finally, I was introduced to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility rather by accident at a career talk by Shell about their activities in Africa, and that was that. I'd finally found a vocation that had the potential to bring about lasting change and that I also had a real passion for. One Masters and over five years experience as a consultant later, and I am on the cusp of starting the career I've always dreamed of having, as CSR Communications Specialist for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (or the Fifa World Cup to you and me).

I knew that the initial reaction from family and friends about this job offer would be somewhat sceptical regarding the enormity of the job in hand. It's been impossible to escape the press coverage of the conditions that some of the migrant workers have faced out here. In response to these allegations, today the Supreme Committee released a 50-page charter which fleshes out the committee's (and country's) basic welfare obligations which were published last year, which Amnesty International has already called a 'positive step'. Having seen the 2022 strategic documents, and spoken to those at the forefront of developing the country's CSR and sustainability ambition, I have no doubt that the tournament will be a catalyst for positive and sustainable change in Qatar. 

One of the areas that I will be helping to develop will be the increased participation in sport in Qatar. This is an almost unique country, with expats making up the vast majority of the population, and community integration is difficult to achieve. When you combine these difficulties with growing health concerns (for example, Qatar has the highest prevalence of obesity of any country in the world) and a rapidly evolving physical, cultural and social landscape, it is clear how important it is to identify conduits for positive social, human and health impacts. 

Sporting activities (and especially football in my opinion), if delivered in the right way and involving the right people can help to achieve this.

Today was National Sport Day in Qatar. 3 years ago, this day was declared a national holiday in a bid to promote sport and physical activities among the population of Qatar. 

Football

Climbing

Dancing

Running

Walking

Activities for children

Activities on the beach

Activities on the sea 

It was all go!

It was so nice to walk around the Pearl and see groups of families and friends out and about participating in or watching the activities, and most importantly laughing and having fun together. 

As Rich is well into his second stint of coverage of the Qatar Tennis Open (this time with the WTA), and several high profile sporting events have been taking place in quick succession in Doha recently (such as the PSG v. Real Madrid match and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters last month), it is clear to see that Qatar is well on the way to delivering a lasting legacy of change through sport.

Or channelling the mantra of a sporting hero, if you like.

I am taking these words with me into my new job, where I will be massively proud to be a positive part of the Qatar 2022 legacy.

Inshallah.

A little bit about love

"I'm coming with you tomorrow morning," said Rich as I set my 6.30am alarm to wake me up for my second interview in 48 hours. "What?" he said as I protested, "We're a team".

That for me is the true meaning of love.

And love has been a running theme this week.

Today, my good friend Donna hopped on a plane back to her native Scotland to prepare for her upcoming nuptials to Gary on the 22nd February. We've been talking about this day for weeks and I can't quite believe it's finally upon us! Gary and Donna met back in Glasgow, and it was almost love at first sight for these two romantics. Well, all it took was for Gary to turn up at Donna's house after their first date when Donna wasn't feeling very well, brandishing DVDs and rocking a pair of old jogging bottoms, and she was smitten.

It was imperative that before Donna left, we had a little hen celebration to mark the occasion for those of us that aren't able to make the trip back to the UK for the day itself. 

I say little, I really mean massive, messy and out of hand. But all of the best celebrations are right?! Here's what we got up to.

Donna, Sara and I started the day with a some swimming and bubbles at ladies day at the Ritz.

After a quick shower and throwing some make-up on back home, we met up with the others at the Diplomatic Club, dressed Donna up in a stylish Scottish-themed outfit...

and jumped into a Donut Boat complete with BBQ, strobe lighting...and Coldplay blasting out at full volume.

We ate chicken and fake sausages to our hearts content while chatting and looking out over the lights of the city.

Buoyed (geddit?!) by the good food and 'banging' choons, we headed to La Cigale, and up to the roof for some cocktails (and a few free shots) at Sky View. We'd prepared a Mr and Mrs game and some dares (compulsory!) earlier in the day, which contributed to the general tipsiness somewhat.

When we had had our fill of cocktails, we headed downstairs to Club 7 for a dance. And bumped into the Harley Davidson crew (Doha Chapter) who supplied us with free Moet, sparklers and cigars (which everyone knows are key ingredients for the perfect evening) for the rest of the night. 

A fitting celebration to start off Donna's married life. Here's to D & G!

Later in the week, love was in the air again as we headed out to listen to Hayley sing some jazzy lurve songs in the romantic surroundings of the Ballroom at the W Hotel.

You couldn't escape the romance as Hayley's stunning voice took over the room, backed by a fantastic jazz band. 

And there was added love all around, as all the proceeds of the night went to charidee.

Hayley, dressed in Valentine red stunned us all!

All of the loving feeling that I experienced this week was helped along by the fact that after all of my hard work and perseverance, I finally received the job offer I had been waiting for. More on that later.

Rich and I headed out for a little celebration at Hakkasan and I told him I couldn't have done it without him.

I came to Qatar not knowing what to expect, but every day Rich showered me with positivity, told me everything would work out, and that he had the utmost faith in me.

I want to say a big thanks to my man. I love you.