In partnership with the Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII), CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) is delivering a commentary training programme, offering Qatari residents with a passion for football, the perfect opportunity to get involved in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Training will take place at the Hamad bin Khalifa University in Doha, and delivered to small groups, between 4:00 – 7:00 pm from Sundays to Thursdays. Specific training sessions will be held on Saturdays (time to be arranged with participants).

Applicants must submit a 60-second audio recording of themselves commentating over a football clip of their choice, in English or Arabic and will be admitted to the training on the basis of their overall aptitude for commentating. Applications will not be judged on the quality of the audio recording, i.e. no professional recording is required. No prior experience of commentating is required either. The service, known as audio-descriptive commentary (ADC) has been implemented at many other major sporting events and is designed to primarily support partially sighted and blind people in enjoying a live match experience. The service will be available in both Arabic and English.

Blind football fan Faisal Al Kohaji, from Qatar, listened to the commentary during FIFA Arab Cup™ matches. He said: “The commentary allowed me to immerse myself in the game. I love football and I want to know exactly what’s going on with my favourite players, and how the team is performing, and this was one of the first times in the stands where I got to experience that. “In the past, I had to rely on the description of a sighted friend or make do by listening to a time-delayed video of the match on my phone, but this technology allows me to enjoy the action on the pitch in the same way as everyone else.” If you have any questions, or for more information, please email ttc@hbku.edu.qa or call 44540326.