Family of Five Desert Rodents Makes a Comeback, Set to Enliven the AFC Asian Cup 2023!”
“Desert Rodent Family Returns: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Mascots Saboog, Tmbki, Freha, Zkriti, and Traeneh Set to Charm Fans Again!”
Fans fondly recall the family of five desert rodents that stole the spotlight as the official mascots of the AFC Asian Cup in 2011. Saboog, Tmbki, Freha, Zkriti, and Traeneh are back to once again be the face of Asia’s most prestigious football tournament, marking their return after debuting twelve years ago when Qatar last hosted the AFC Asian Cup. The familiar characters took center stage at a special ceremony in Doha where they were unveiled as the mascots for the much-anticipated Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
Hassan Al Kuwari, the Marketing and Communications Executive Director of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Local Organizing Committee (LOC), sees the return of these iconic mascots as a testament to Qatar’s long legacy of excellence in hosting mega sporting events. “The mascots of the 2023 Asian Cup invoke wonderful memories from 2011, but also embody the excitement and energy of what will certainly be an amazing competition,” stated Al Kuwari. “The five characters are inspired by Qatar’s natural environment and present us with yet another wonderful opportunity to showcase our culture and heritage to football fans from around the world.”
Qatari artist Ahmed Al Maadheed is the creative mind behind these beloved characters. Al Maadheed, when crafting the characters, aimed to attribute distinct characteristics to each family member, mirroring the diverse roles football players assume during a match. Additionally, he sought to create a set of characters resembling a traditional Qatari household while paying homage to every corner of the country.
Get ready to be charmed once again as these iconic mascots bring a touch of Qatar’s culture and heritage to the global football stage during the highly anticipated AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. Follow the excitement and updates on Qatar2023’s social media channels.
“Jerboa Family: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Mascots Unveiled for an Inspiring Journey”
Qatari artist Ahmed Al Maadheed shared his vision, saying, “From the very beginning, we wanted to do something that inspired families and young people to be a part of the Asian Cup. We wanted to dig deep into our rich ecological heritage and find an animal that could represent the best of what happens on the pitch and also in our daily lives, and that was the jerboa.”
Emphasizing the significance of teamwork in football and family life in Qatari society, Al Maadheed expressed, “We decided to present a family of jerboas, each with its own distinctive personality, as a way of acknowledging the importance of teamwork in football, but also acknowledging the importance of family life to societies in Qatar.”
The jerboa family, conceptualized by Al Maadheed, has been brought to life through an anime-inspired animation produced by Katara Studios for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. Leading up to the event and throughout the tournament scheduled between January 12 and February 10, 2024, audiences will be treated to an animated work that evokes the nostalgia of iconic cartoons of the past. Directed by Fahad Al Kuwari, the accompanying song is performed by Qatari artist Dana Al Meer and the legendary Tarek Al Arabi Tourgane.
As the AFC Asian Cup approaches, the jerboa family promises not only to capture the essence of football but also to resonate with the warmth of family bonds. Stay tuned for this captivating animated journey celebrating the spirit of unity and sportsmanship. Follow Qatar2023 on social media for updates and exclusive content.