Enjoying Qatar and the Sport

As the world's economy shifts ever eastwards LM wonders if the same is about to happen to sport or perhaps more accurately it's already started.

I'm in Qatar at the moment so while ole blightly continues to shiver in its Grey damp and cold conditions out here in Qatar all manner of sporting events are going on which presumably the red tops are keeping quiet about providing no coverage so I'm happy to step in and fill the gap in sports coverage.

Over the weekend while the UK thinks about attending a shivering cold FA Cup match with crap overpriced pies along with ubiquitous Alcohol, here in Qatar a fantastic football tournament called The Asia Cup is starting which has no Israelites because they were kicked out of the AFC a few years ago. My money if I were a betting person is on the Japanese although got a sneaking feeling about the Saudi's who must be feeling a bit bruised at not getting to the World Cup and have probably been offered a few oil wells as incentives to do well. The first match is between hosts Qatar and Uzbekistan.

However, if football under beautiful blue skies without some racist England Chav Effing his way throughout the game is not to your fancy then outstanding Tennis is on offer with Nadal and Federer in town.

Off the pitch in hotel corridors of World football's power structure you might not be aware that Doha has also been host to a very important if rather discreet appointment as Jordan's Prince Ali is elected Fifa Vice President. Ali, son of the late King Hussain of Jordan beat the South Koran Muppet ie usual English/American mouthpiece and critic of Blatter. With Qatar's Mohammed bin Hammam also on the FIFA Exec committee great to see Muslim influence growing in Sport.

Talking of hotel corridors I noticed a bit of excitement amongst the local Pakistani expat community here because the alleged spot fixing cricket crooks are facing the music at an ICC hearing also in Doha. A Pakistani sister told me the hearing was being held in Doha because one player had been done on a drug wrap so could not get into Dubai.

Given the above, what are you lot doing back home in "Great" Britain. Get on a flight now that prices are off peak and come over and enjoy fantastic weather, great sport all in a Halal Muslim environment. Having mentioned Halal, LM is feeling a bit peckish so with this hotel's Chef having outstanding culinary skills I do fancy the fantastic mouthwatering halal range on the international menu so I'll probably chose Oriental although avoid live lobsters. Oh and sorry about the naff T Shirt, don't know what it is about tourists that makes us wear suitably dodgy attire.