Pedro Martins, 54 years old, is an experienced Portuguese football coach, with experience at clubs such as Vitória de Guimarães, Rio Ave and Marítimo, having achieved greater international prominence playing for Olympiacos, in Greece, where he won championships and regularly participated in European competitions.
The Portuguese coach is currently in charge of the Al-Gharafa SCwhich led to notable results, including a third-place finish that marked the club’s best performance in over a decade.
On a sporting level, the impact was immediate. Competitions were suspended and several games postponed, in a situation that the technician compares to the most critical phase of the pandemic. “We played on the 26th, on the 28th these two games were cancelled. Yesterday we were supposed to have the Champions Elite games, they were also all postponed. We don’t really know when we will return. Our round would probably be on the 6th, I believe it will be postponed. Then afterwards they will organize the championship, as we did a little during the Covid period.”
As for international travel, Qatari airspace is closed. “Right now everything is closed to go out. I know that some Portuguese left here via bus to Saudi Arabia, because there they still keep the space open, I think Jeddah and Riyadh still keep the space open and can fly. But here in Qatar everything is closed.”
Pedro Martins maintains regular contact with other Portuguese people in the country, including professionals linked to airlines and the energy sector. “I am part of a group at the embassy, I have many friends who, in the meantime, I have also made friends here, who are in the same conditions.” Mutual support has been important, especially in the early days. “Several of my colleagues live in the towers, and in that aspect they are not as safe as the houses between the towers. We are getting together in these houses, because it is more comfortable mentally.”
Schools and most services are closed, with only essential services remaining. “Everything is closed. The only thing is basic services: hospitals, supermarkets and little else. Even restaurants are practically all closed, although everything hotel-related is open.”
Despite the limitations and uncertainty, the coach guarantees that, for now, he is not considering leaving the country. “I don’t feel that insecurity. And even if there is some open airspace, I have no intention of leaving here. As long as I feel this way. There are people who are more sensitive, they are more scared, I understand, I understand perfectly. I have friends who are more apprehensive, but quite honestly at this moment I have no intention of leaving here because for me there are still conditions to continue.”
The management of the working group has been carried out with prudence and sensitivity. “Yesterday we had our first training session. On the one hand, it was good because after four days they finally left home. We’re talking about people used to competition. It was an indoor training session, we didn’t go to the field. It was good for them to get out of that routine, but the group felt a little uncomfortable.” The players’ main concern is their families. “Everyone was unanimous: especially those who have children, the biggest concern is the children, who feel more apprehensive.”
In the case of the Portuguese coach, the immediate family is safe. “My wife traveled to Portugal when this happened, she wasn’t here. And my children lead a normal life in Portugal.”
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