Collecting Oral History Qatar Olympic & Sport Museum Luis Henrique Rolim Silva • Head of Research International Museum Day Celebration Doha, 18th 2010

Al Wakra – football 70s We used to challenge: the loser pay the Pepsi [soft drink]. We play for Pepsi; Pepsi cola or Miranda or whatever it is. The losers pay for the winner team […] we really play real football; even it is just for amateurs but still challenging. It is fun. We play every day. Every day we play football! Summer time starts after 4 [pm]; winter time after 2:30 [pm]. We play up to al Marab; the sunset. There was not light system. We use to play with the daylight. Whenever has daylight, has football! Whenever doesn’t has daylight, the football stop.

Is it true? How do you believe in the story of someone? Who is talking? What is your relation with this person? When is talking? Why is telling this for you? How is telling the story?

Is it true? How do you believe in the story of someone? It is a mix of factors It is subjective issue How can I control all or perhaps understand the factors?

Demystifying concepts The “true history” or “official history” History of the books Idea of “histories” Context Different interpretations

Demystifying concepts Representation of the past event Critical review of the source (inside and outside) “One history of my lecture” but not “the history”

Interviews The same interview? Subjective Thematic Past representation through the people that lived that past event Oral History

Oral History To understand the past through oral reports of people who lived during specific moment in the past Memories To treat in the same way that we treat the written sources

Research Project Preliminary questions: Why we will do this? What is the purpose? With whom we will do this? How we will do? When we will do?

Qatar Olympic & Sport Museum Oral History Project Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history To preserve the Qatar sport memory and contribute to construct the Qatar sport history Interviews with people who helped or/and help to create the sport in the country

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history Why we are doing? Unique opportunity to talk with the Qatari sport pioneers Qatari cultural practices Oral tradition: Majlis

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history What are our purposes? To preserve heritage for the future generations about the people who did/do the sport in the country; To create a Qatar sport history through interviews with the people who did/do the sport in the country; To present a Qatar sport history connected with the culture of the country and make the QOSM a Qatari window to this country for the world.

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history Who can be interviewed? Qataris and non-Qataris Targets: Authorities; Athletes; Coaches; General staff; And fans, supporters, etc.

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history How we are doing this? Thematic interview Interview is not-structured General guideline Interview procedures: recorded document by voice and video

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history Interview procedures: recorded document by voice and video How do you like to appear? Where do you like to do it? Do you speak Arabic or English? How long can be? Alone or with your team partners?

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history What will happen with the information? Ethical Procedures Agreement Form

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history Transcription steps: Literal Transcription Return to interviewee read and check Fidelity Check Delivered one copy

Collecting memories, preserving the Qatari sport history When we are doing our project? Collecting preliminary interviews and potential interviewees

Qatari sport voices I stayed [working] with handicap from a long time, but this day, it was the best day in my life: when we get this building. They finished handball game; they go play, same players, same teams they go play volleyball. They finished… they go play basketball. I [was] born in Rayan Club. I grow up in Rayan Club. I played many games in Rayan Club. I started by volleyball, then I played basketball. I tried to play football but I was not good enough; so they kick me out! We brought people here from Europe, to school the people [to be] judge, [teach] the rules of this sport. When we get the other from [His Highness] Sheik Hamad that we want to have the Asian Games; I thought: it is not easy; I thought: it is dream!

Final Remarks Collecting histories and the importance to use a research project First step to construct the history A representation of the history in a specific moment

Luis Henrique Rolim Silva lsilva@qma.org.qa / (+974) 7114781 Shukran! Thank you! Luis Henrique Rolim Silva lsilva@qma.org.qa / (+974) 7114781 International Museum Day Celebration Doha, 18th 2010