Doha – Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva should watch the first half of the final of Emir Cup, the football championship in Qatar, on Saturday (15), alongside the emir of the country, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, according to the Brazilian diplomatic corps.
The cup should be disputed by teams Umm Salal and Al Rayyan, at Khalifa Stadium. Al Rayyan is managed by the Brazilian Paulo Autuori.
The match should be the last engagement of the Brazilian president in Doha, prior to travelling to Iran. Lula should only watch the first half not to delay his agenda in Tehran. He is currently in Moscow, Russia, and arrives in Qatar this evening.
Lula’s watching the match was only confirmed yesterday, in the evening, and was met with great enthusiasm by members of the government of Qatar. The country aims to host the 2022 World Cup and the presence of the president of the country that has won the Cup five times and is going to host the 2014 World Cup is very welcome.
Apart from coach Autuori, both teams have Brazilian players. Professionals connected to football make up around 70% of the Brazilian community residing in Doha.
Also tomorrow, Lula should end the Brazil-Qatar business seminar, which has the support of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, and should have an official meeting with the emir.
*Translated by Mark Ament
