Muscat: As the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draws to an exciting final stretch, there have been hundreds of football fans from Oman who travelled by air to watch and experience the world’s biggest football festival in the neighbouring country.
Following the easing of restrictions earlier this month by the Qatari authorities, a few die-hard fans decided to take a road trip to Qatar. Times of Oman spoke to a couple of road travellers who described the experience as “worth a lifetime”.
It took less than nine hours by car for them to reach Qatar and it was a deal as it cost them just around OMR50 for the trip.
The fact that Qatar is the first Arab nation to host the World Cup gives a sense of pride to the Omanis and Arabs residing in Oman.
Moath Al Saeedi, from the Wilayat of Al Khabourah, who opted to drive down to Qatar said: “I was unable to book a flight ticket from Muscat to Doha. I was eager to go to Doha and I didn’t want to miss this great opportunity of watching a World Cup game between Morocco and Spain in Qatar on December 6. I decided to take road trip from Muscat. It took around eight hours to reach Doha. During the trip, I had to fill my fuel tank thrice and had to go past border crossings of Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.”
Moath said: “I set off from Muscat at 9pm on Monday. I got the fuel tank of my car filled for OMR8, and then crossed the border of the United Arab Emirates via Khatam Al Shakla land port in about three hours, covering a distance of 318 km. After a warm welcome at the Oman border post, I was welcomed on the UAE side where they even offered me dates and water.”
Having stopped for a food break, Moath then went for another refuelling of the car tank for OMR5. From Khatam Al Shakla, Moath travelled towards the Batha land port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which took him about 4 hours for a distance of 460 km.
Moath arrived at the Saudi border crossing by 4am on Tuesday and decided to take a nap. He made himself comfortable in a hotel and woke up at 7am to proceed to the border.
He added: “The border formalities were very quick and the Saudi officials even exempted me from insurance as I was travelling to attend the World Cup. Usually, one needs to spend around OMR14 for insurance that is valid for one-two weeks. After the border, I drove another 120km before stopping at another petrol pump. This time I got my tank filled for OMR7 and then reached the Salwa land port, which connects Saudi Arabia to Qatar. It took me around 8 hours to reach the Qatar border.”
At the Qatar border, there is a vast parking space for travellers who enter the country by road. Moath said: “We parked our cars and then shifted to the waiting buses, which took us to Doha. On the bus, I met many citizens of fellow Gulf countries, including Oman. I also saw a few expatriates from the Gulf countries. We all had one mission– to enjoy a World Cup match.”
He added: “The formalities at the Qatar border were also fast and elaborate arrangements had been made by the Qatari authorities for people to rest and enjoy snacks. We were also offered free SIM cards by Vodafone and even Ooredoo offered local SIM cards that give you Internet access. In less than an hour our bus reached the Al Masila area. From here one could go to different locations in Qatar. While departing, we had to come back to this point to board the bus that would take us back to the border post.”
Moath said: “From Al Masila, there are metros that take you to the stadiums and all travellers are allowed free access.”
Moath was overjoyed after being witness to one of the biggest upsets in the World Cup as Morocco shocked Spain to make history as the first Arab team to reach the quarter-finals.
Morocco went on to beat Portugal to make another history as they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
Mohammed Al Nasseri, from the Wilayat of Rustaq, was also delighted to have completed a trip to Qatar by road and watch Morocco upset Spain.
He said: “I first struggled to get air tickets for this game. When I found a seat, it was around OMR200 which was beyond my budget. I then decided to go by car and I spent only OMR45 on my road trip to Doha.”
Mohammed said: “I started at night so that roads would have lesser traffic. Though I was alone, I enjoyed the trip, listening to my favourite tracks in the car. I returned after two days of great enjoyment in Doha. The World Cup is a big festival and we are proud that Qatar has proved to the world that it can host the biggest football event in style. It is a proud moment for all Arabs. I hope Morocco will beat France to reach the final. We are all proud of Morocco as it made history by becoming the first Arab and African country to reach the semi-finals.”
Source: Times of Oman