Doha, Qatar, Nov. 16, GNA - Mohammed Bin Hammam, President of Asian Football Association (AFC) has said that Qatar stands the best chance of being awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Gulf Peninsula is bidding for the 2022 World Cup alongside Asian duo of Japan and South Korea, Australia and the United States of America, but Hammam insists Qatar deserves the honour ahead of the other contenders. Speaking at a forum during the Aspire4Sport Conference which took place in Doha, the Asian football boss was unequivocal that the destination of the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup will be Asia while Qatar will serve the right landing spot.

"Japan and South Korea have hosted it before, same as USA. Australia has never hosted like Qatar, but I think Qatar has the upper-hand. Hammam, a Qatari added that the Qatar bid goes beyond football since its target is to enhance peace in the world.

He debunked reports that climatic conditions in Qatar during the period of the World Cup (June/July) will serve their biggest obstacle, adding "In the Gulf Region maybe July and August are very humid but our hotels never complain about lack of visitors in those months."

"South Africa organized one of the most successful World Cups recently yet we had temperatures as low as zero degrees, usually not ideal for football.

"I don't subscribe to the theory that climate should be a hindrance to the hosting rights of countries."

Qatar has promised the use of solar technology and a cooling system at matches to maintain temperatures of about 26 degrees, which will be suitable for football.

"The World Cup has never been played in the Middle East I think Qatar deserves to host it irrespective of size or weather." Hammam observed that Qatar's bid goes beyond the game and seeks to enhance peace in the world.

"It's a World Cup beyond the game itself. We have a very noble vision and deserve to be hosts."

Meanwhile, England, Belgium-Netherlands, Spain-Portugal and Russia are also contesting for the 2018 World Cup rights.

The decision will be decided by the Executive Committee of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) on December 2, 2010 in Zurich, Switzerland.

The four-day conference which is under way at the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome, the first of its kind in Qatar is being attended by sports professionals with discussions on sports marketing, sports tourism, sports administration and sports business amongst others. The Conference, under the theme: "Sports business, more than a game" ends on Thursday, November 18.