Please note that this blog starts with the oldest entry first. This is to ensure that the reader is taken through the sequence of events starting from the beginning.
From the Begining!
This portion of the blog brings you, finally, the true and hitherto untold story of the Oryx Quest 2005, Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Happy New Year
Happy New Year!
I hope that everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Year despite the doom and gloom………
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Introduction
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But when things started to go horribly wrong in Qatar during the lead up to the Oryx Quest 2005 we were so embroiled in the project and so committed to making the event a success, it seemed impossible to do anything other keep forging ahead. Even with hindsight it is sometimes difficult to see what we would have done differently and what the outcome would have been. Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Al Jazeera
In answer to your question “Is there anything good about Qatar?” Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
The First Agreement!
On the 14th October 2003 a £6million sponsorship deal was signed with Qatar Sports International. Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
The Second Agreement!
So, with the sponsorship agreement signed and the payment schedule to be agreed, the commute between London and Doha intensified Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
I remember the first time I flew into Qatar. As we flew in over the flat featureless desert I wandered what I was getting myself into. The war in Iraq had just started and here I was in the Middle East, arriving in a tiny country I had never heard off, looking for sponsorship for my racing catamaran Maiden II…… Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Oryx Quest Qatar Launch
The Oryx Quest is announced in Qatar
In April 2004 QSI finally decided that it was ready to announce the event in Qatar and to that end they gave us a stand at the annual QSI Expo Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Maiden II arrives in Doha
On May 4th 2004 after four gruelling weeks at sea, which included bribing their way through the Suez Canal, fighting off Pirates with sub machine guns and bazookas (the pirates not the crew!), off the coast of Yemen and dodging Oil tankers, the crew of the newly branded Qatar 2006 complete with SAS guys arrived, relieved in Qatar! Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
The Skippers Conference
The Oryx Quest Skippers Conference – May 2004
At the beginning of May we invited all the skippers who were interested in competing in the Oryx Quest 2005 to attend a conference in Qatar. Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
HSBC Sponsorship
In July 2004 we finally signed the £3million sponsorship agreement with HSBC Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Settling down to life in Doha
In April 2004 Quest Project Manager, Mike and I had moved to Doha and set up the Quest office Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Brief
So, this is a really brief look at what happened whilst I decide what to do next……………. Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Thank you
Today I would like to say a very big thank you, Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Top Tips for doing busines in Qatar
Top Tips for doing business in Qatar…….apart from the obvious one – DON’T! Continue reading
Posted in Oryx Quest 2005
Qatar ‘bought’ the World Cup
So, finally the penny is beginning to drop that the Qataris are not nice people to do business with! I would like to congratulate the media elements that have had the courage to stand up and say what any of us who have done ‘business’ in Qatar (which translated means doing work there and not getting paid) have known for a number of years.
Hopefully this spotlight on the affairs of this corrupt and ruthless nation will help the many thousands of ‘slaves’ being held there in unimaginable conditions (yes it is them who will be building the stadiums) and the many of us who are owed money.
It is laughable that the World Cup is being held in Qatar in 2012. You cannot drink in public, hold hands in public, kiss in public and women can’t wear short sleeved T-shirts or shorts – so NOT great for anyone who wants to celebrate their team winning or in fact anyone who wants to keep cool in the 110 degree heat outside the ‘air conditioned’ stadiums. So much also for the carbon footptint of the World Cup!! Oh and by the way, don’t even think of booking a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex unless you are married. Actually come to think of it don’t book one with a mate either as homosexuality is against the law. Also you may like to think twice about hiring a car – unless you really like to live life on the edge! Admittedly there is no-where worth driving to so that’s not too much of a handicap.
Whilst I think about it don’t mention the BOMB that went off in an Ex-Pat Theatre there in 2004 and killed a British teacher. They like to call that the ‘incident‘. Also do NOT refer to Qatar’s Human Rights record or say that you have been checking them up on the Amnesty website. That does not tend to go down too well either!!
So, is there a worse place on earth to host a football World Cup??? I really cannot think of one. But HEY money and oil talk and that is all that matters apparently.
Daily Mail speaks out against corruption of the beautiful game.
Posted in Qatar World Cup
Qatar – the daftest World Cup venue ever!
Another great piece in the Daily Mail ’Your guide to the daftest venue in World Cup history’.
Will Qatar be stripped of the World Cup (hopefully) and America be awarded the 2022?
Posted in Qatar World Cup
After Dinner Talks
I have been asked if I do my talks about our experiences in Qatar as well as my motivational talks? The simple answer is yes!! I can pass on a lot of practical advice about doing business in Qatar and not making the mistakes that we made. However, our time in Qatar wasn’t all dreadful! There was the event that we put on which I think is interesting and also I have a LOT of funny stories about living and working there. We laughed a great deal about the absurdities and madness that is trying to get anything done in Qatar.
So, if you would like more information please do get in touch with me through my contacts page or go to my speaking website.
Posted in Motivational Speaking