On the Scene at Arab Games - Libya Vows to Rebuild Sport, Doha Olympic Ceremonies Musings, 1st Medals

New Libya Minister Makes Pledge to Rebuild Sport

Blaming Moammar Khadafi for the ruination of sports institutions in Libya, a new minister of Youth and Sports is vowing to see that they are rebuilt under the new government.

Fathi Terbil took his place in the evolving post-Khadafi government just 10 days ago. He spoke to reporters at a press conference Saturday at the Main Press Center for the Arab Games in Doha.

"Sport is but one of many victims of the totalitarian regime that had control," said Terbil. He says many institutions "existed only on paper".

"Now, after we have succeeded in liberating our nation, our homeland from the tyrant, we’re looking forward to walk in the footsteps of the modern world and lay down the foundations of civil life," said Terbil.

Terbil says the transitional government is trying to decide the proper role for the government to take with the direction of sport in Libya.

For the National Olympic Committee, which has a new president after the previous office-holder, a son of Khadafi's, fled the country,Terbil says the right balance must be struck between government and NOC.

Terbil says the NOC is taking the lead on preparation for the London Olympics and has helped organize the team in Doha for the Arab Games that numbers about 250.

The sports minister says Tripoli plans to bid for the 2015 Arab Games as part of the country’s rebuilding for sport.

Prediction: Doha to Stage Olympic Ceremonies

The producer of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Arab Games tells Around the Rings that Qatar will be the choice of the IOC whenever it votes to bring the Olympics to the Middle East for the first time.

That could be as early as 2020 with Doha one of the six cities applying to host those Games.

"Eventually the IOC is going to have to stage an Olympics in this part of the world. The Middle East is going to host an Olympic Games eventually. It’s an inevitability," Atkins tells ATR.

"I think if they look to thisregion in terms of stability, infrastructure, physical strength and a robust economy, and a willingness to engage and support sport, I don’t think there is a country in the region that has the track record that Qatar has," says the Australia-based producer.

Atkins said he would be happy to produce the ceremonies for a Doha Olympics, noting that he has a strong track record after producing the ceremonies for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha as well as the 2011 Arab Games. Atkins also produced the ceremonies for the 2000 Games in Sydney and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

"Relatively Perfect Conditons" for Opening Ceremony

Atkins says he is pleased with the outcomeof the 90-minute opening ceremony Friday night in Kalifa Stadium.

He described "relatively perfect conditions" for the show, in comparison to rain and wind which struck the opening ceremony at the 2006 Asian Games.

"You can do two and a half years of planning, but you can only do so much to mitigate against the weather," he said.

Although winds were an issue earlier in the week at a dress rehearsal, the air was calm Friday night.

"Inspiration: Journey to Light" was the theme of the ceremony watched by nearly 40,000 spectators and millions throughout the Arab world.

"The Ceremony aims to inspire Arab people to consider their past and their present, and to encourage them build a future based on dignity and pride in their culture, history and identity," says the media guide for the event.

Atkins says with the serious nature of recent events in the Middle East, he and his team wanted to produce a show that showed respect for the times.

Qatar with Early Medal Lead

As the first day of competition closes, Qatar leads the medal tally with eight, followed by Egypt with 7. Kuwait has five medals and Saudi Arabia and Iraq were tied at four each.

Written and reported in Doha by Ed Hula

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