As seen on Swiminfo today.......so much for citizenship eh?! And we complain about masters "superteams"!
Draganja Changing Allegiances to Qatar
ZAGREB, Croatia, December 7. WHILE South Africa’s Roland Schoeman has spurned an offer to switch his allegiance to Qatar, the same cannot be said for Croatian Duje Draganja. The sprint sensation, a 24-year-old, recently accepted a lucrative offer to swim for the Middle Eastern nation, which has been chasing high-profile athletes by offering significant sums of money.
Before accepting the offer from Qatar, which is believed to be at least $1 million, Draganja gave Croatian swimming officials the opportunity to keep him swimming under his homeland’s flag. Ultimately, though, the Arab nation won out and Draganja is expected to race for Qatar at next year’s World Short Course Championships in Shanghai, China.
Parents
Former Member
Qatar snapshot
Area: slightly smaller than Connecticut, Population: 863,051 (July 2005 est.), Land: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel, Ethnically: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% (60% guest workers?), Religion: Muslim 95%, Language: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language, Government: traditional monarchy, discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters.
Business: Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil production: 790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.).
Military: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals (2005).
OK let’s see: 60% of the population is guest workers, the military is primarily a non-native force, and now they want to buy athletes to produce Olympic medals. Makes sense.
Qatar snapshot
Area: slightly smaller than Connecticut, Population: 863,051 (July 2005 est.), Land: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel, Ethnically: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% (60% guest workers?), Religion: Muslim 95%, Language: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language, Government: traditional monarchy, discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters.
Business: Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil production: 790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.).
Military: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals (2005).
OK let’s see: 60% of the population is guest workers, the military is primarily a non-native force, and now they want to buy athletes to produce Olympic medals. Makes sense.
