Author and sports administrator Abdulla Y Al Mulla poses for a photograph with his book titled ‘Perfect Pitch’.
First-time author and vastly experienced sports administrator Abdulla Y Al Mulla is hoping his 80-page book titled ‘Perfect Pitch’ will help future generations to plan and deliver flawless Olympics and Asian Games editions.
Taking almost nine years to complete his ‘dream’ project, Al Mulla informs the readers about the ‘unexpected’ bloopers at top events like the Olympics or the Asian Games.
“In the book, I have highlighted incidents when things went wrong. Sometimes the organisers played the national anthem wrong, sometimes the wrong flag was raised. These incidents happen at big shows like the World Cups or Olympic Games,” Al Mulla said in a candid chat with The Peninsula.
“I personally featured at so many big events - like the 3rd West Asian Games in 2005, the Asian Games in 2006, followed by the Indoor Asian Games, the Winter Games, the Olympics ... you name it,” Al Mulla recalled. “I thought ‘why not have a book that talks about sports protocol’.
“Such a book could be used by the future generations when countries host mega sports events. This is the story of my book,” he added with his trademark smile in place.
Excerpts from a detailed chat with the author.
Q: Tell us something about your book? How did you come across the idea of putting together such a fine book?
A: This book has come in print form after eight years of hard labour and research. The gathering of information and relevant pictures took some time. I noticed that in so many countries like the United States, the United Kingdom or many other European nations, the Far East, especially Japan and China, I could not find a book that detailed sports protocol. There is literature on political protocol which is fairly normal. I thought ‘why not have a book that talks about sports protocol’. Such a book could be used by the future generations when countries host mega sports events.
Q: What exactly is sports protocol? Would you mind elaborating?
A: Protocol, as we know, is a very important element when countries hosts mega sports events. During an event or at a routine ceremony, so many ups and downs can happen. How you handle such ups and downs is what sports protocol is all about. In the book, I have highlighted incidents when things went wrong. Sometimes the organisers played the national anthem wrong, sometimes the wrong flag was raised. Such incidents have happened at big shows like the World Cups or Olympic Games.
Q: When did you start your project?
A: I started in 2008 as I began gathering information after the Asian Games held in Doha. I looked for pictures. I personally featured at so many big events - like the West Asian Games in 2005, the Asian Games in 2006, followed by the Indoor Asian Games, the Winter Games, the Olympics and even single-sport events like the 2015 World Men’s Handball Championships staged right here in Doha. I featured in so many table tennis world championships since 1997. I was playing so many roles as I took part in these events. I was the Director of the Tournament of the Qatar Open table tennis events for 10 years.
Q: Was it easy archiving your thoughts?
A: I had all these details in my mind. I thought I may forget the details with age (smiles) so I started writing them down. I started archiving my thoughts. I got great encouragement from various officials in Qatar. I talked to officials in the Ministry of Sport and they said ‘it is a good idea’. I even mentioned about my book to H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the QOC Chairman. I talked about the book to (former Secretary General of QOC) Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrehman Al Thani and he also liked my idea. When I got the blessing from Sheikh Joaan, the QOC Chairman, I registered the book with Ministry of Sports and Culture as that procedure is a must. If you don’t do that, then anybody could take your work and claim its theirs. It was done for copyright matters. I presented a copy to H H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and some of the other top sports officials in the country. I admire their support during my sports career since 2006 until now.
Q: What plans do you have now that the book is out?
A: Now I am going to distribute the book to all sports federations in Qatar. I will dispatch a few copies to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). I will make sure that if IOC President comes visiting, I will have a copy signed by him. The same goes for the OCA President. These are important people in the world of sports. I will send it across the Asian continent where important sports bodies function. This will be done as a matter of courtesy as I have friends all over Asia. I hope this book will get me good feedback when my friends and well-wishers read it. Once I get the feedback, I will have the book translated into Arabic language. That is also important because we have a big number of sport-lovers who prefer reading materials in Arabic. I can reach out to new audiences. Whenever I travel, I take copies with me and distribute these books to VIPs attending top sports events around the world.
Q: What’s so special about this book?
A: This book will be a big help for the next generation of sports lovers. I have been associated with sports since 1984, playing so many different administrative and media roles since then. This is my legacy. I want to transfer the wealth of knowledge that I possess now after three decades of association with various sports bodies. I have learned from so many capable colleagues in Qatar. I could name a lot of people. Sultan Al Suwaidi, Mohammed bin Hammam, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid, Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid, Abdulrehman Al Naimi, Yusuf Saeey, Hamad Al Marri, Nasser Mubarak Al Ali, Sheikh Mohammed bin Eid... these are just few of the many people who lifted my spirit as I worked in the sports industry. They really put a lot of effort. On top of this list comes the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. All the development we see in Qatar is because of the Father Emir. The investments made at that time, we are seeing the results now. I hope people will acknowledge my contribution.
Q: How does your family react to you writing this book?
A: I would like to add that I have to admire the patience of my family. I have been away from home to attend so many events and projects. I could not spend much time with them. But at the end we built a good name for our family. I have made history for my children and my grandchildren. When they see that I have written a book which is admired by everyone, they would appreciate my effort. They are very proud, even my mother.
