Multi-billion dollar sports business opportunities at QSi 2004

QSi was established in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as President of the QNOC, to assist international sports industry suppliers to meet and do business with Asian sports event and venue managers, in host city of the next Asian Games. Contracts worth $50m were awarded at the first QSi event, held in December 2002, which attracted 15,000 visitors and 250 exhibiting companies from 32 countries.

"QSi 2004 will be critical for international sports businesses seeking to take advantage of the rapidly growing Asian and Middle Eastern sports industries - including Qatar itself, which has earmarked US$1 Billion in enhancing its sports infrastructure, both in preparation for the upcoming Doha 2006 Asian Games and for the future use of the Qatari people," said Khalifa Al Subaey, Executive Director of QSi.
As in 2002, QSi 2004 will be the largest multi-faceted sports based event in Asia, comprising a sports business Expo, a conference and workshops, where international sports business executives and sporting professionals can network and do business. In addition, high profile sporting events will be delivered to build upon the successes of QSi 2002, where European champions AC Milan played and the world's richest Athletics event, where Gebre Hailesellassie won US$1m for the world's best 10km time.

The QSi Expo 2004 is managed by international partners Fairs & Exhibitions Ltd. Sharla Hancock, project manager, said "we are already obtaining commitments for national pavilions from countries like France, the UK, Germany and China. There is substantial interest in the show which isn't surprising given Asia's - and Qatar's - unparalleled sports infrastructure and equipment needs".

"For example, the 2006 Asian Games, requires approved international suppliers for items such as seating, lighting, specialist floorings, sports equipment, roofing, score boards, networked communications and cabling, IT and event management services."