IQPC World Stadium Congress 2012 in association with GORD, the authority for knowledge on sustainability in MENA region, hosted yesterday at the Sheraton Doha, Qatar following the big success of 2011 and in line with Qatar's efforts to create the best world cup to happen.

Dr. Yousef Al Horr, Founding Chairman for GORD, was the first to speak among other delegates representing Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, Qatar Olympic Committee, Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence and CH2m Hill. Dr. Al Horr made the opening presentation explaining how to achieve sustainability in building sport facilities through QSAS standards. GORD developed QSAS Sports Manual, the green system to design and build stadiums indoor and outdoor, to meet and exceed FIFA Environmental Protection Plan as it embraces environment by reducing air pollution considering human health and comfort as a priority.

The objectives of QSAS Sports Manuals are:

To Meet and exceed the FIFA Environmental Protection Plan

Qatar 2022 LOC's Environmental Sustainability Guidelines for the tournament will cover the following core areas: water, waste, energy, transportation, procurement & climate change.

To be significantly advantaged

when delivering designs for green buildings and infrastructure for the hosting of the tournament by the employment of the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS).

Dr Al Horr said that QSAS SPORTS MANUALS are the first & only design guidelines developed in the world to address sport development challenges.  Initiatives by international systems such as LEED, BREEAM among few to mention; lack objective measures for different criteria, have No scoring or point system & they are mainly based on a series of guidelines that are evaluated; however, not measured.

Dr Al Horr added, “the objective & scope of QSAS Sports Manuals cover the following:

• The scheme can be used to rate all types and sizes of sports facilities including outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas, and outdoor courses.
• The scheme can be used to rate any buildings or venues that are designed to host a sporting event with different functional components for athletes/competitors, support staff, and spectators.
• The scheme shall be applied for each of the following three phases – Design, Construction, and Operations.
• The scheme shall take into consideration various operational modes – for peak versus non-peak usage.
• The scheme framework shall be comprehensive and flexible and would have the capacity to be adapted to rate sports facilities elsewhere.”
• Al Horr also highlighted “QSAS Sports Manuals advantages" such as: 

Best Mix merit
QSAS Sports combines the best methods from existing established systems and standards resulting in a new customized tools. 

Scope – Sports Specific Scheme
It can be used to rate all types and sizes of sports facilities including outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas, and outdoor courses.

Comprehensiveness
QSAS Sports includes a rating system for each of the following three phases – Design, Construction, and Operations.

Adaptability
While QSAS Sports is being developed for initial use in Qatar, the rating system has the capacity to be adapted to rate sports facilities worldwide.

Ease of Use
The QSAS measurement method provides all information required including referenced tools/calculators/ guidelines to facilitate the assessment process.

Dr Al Horr concluded his speech by saying that QSAS's assessment system is unique in comparison with other international standards as it considers cultural and economic values, as well as management and operations for venues, as a “building's legacy is very important," spoke Al Horr.