Doha: Qatar Celebrates First-ever National Sports Day
Pics: Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Feb 15 (Gulf Times): Qatar's first-ever National Sports Day was celebrated on Tuesday February 14 on a grand scale with a large number of residents and visitors taking part in several events hosted by government departments, public and private sector organisations and sports bodies.
The National Sports Day is a pioneering initiative by the heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who issued Emiri Decree No 80 for 2011 on December 6 declaring the second Tuesday of February to mark the occasion every year.
Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) had directed all sport clubs and federations to open the gates of their facilities for all community members to celebrate the day. This was in line with its strategy to promote sports, physical education and sustainable development, in compliance with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Both Qatari and expatriate families expressed their gratitude to the heir apparent for earmarking a day that places emphasis on healthy living.
A Qatari employer described the National Sports Day as an “investment as it helps his employees to refresh their bodies and minds, have a common cause to celebrate and exercise and return to work fresher and with a more friendly attitude towards each other”.
Hundreds of residents and their families gathered at the Museum of Islamic Art Park to take part in sport matches organised by the QOC.
Top government officials, including the Minister of Public Health Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani, participated in the marches from two points at the MIA Park and from Sheraton Park, finishing at the Oryx area.
A sports zone set up by the QOC featured table tennis, basketball, lawn tennis as well as virtual games for children. There was a tent for electronic shooting competitions in co-ordination with the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation.
The event was also used to promote the concept of healthy eating. Fruits such as bananas and apples were available for free at many locations along the path of the marches.
The participants got a chance to check their blood sugar level, weight, height and body mass index as well as other vital signs at booths set up by the Supreme Council of Health and the Hamad Medical Corporation.
Qatar Foundation hosted fun-filled activities at four locations on the Education City grounds. As much as 1mn calories, the equivalent of a 1,250 fast food meals, were burned collectively by participants.
Qatar University organised an integrated programme of activities around the theme “Sports is a Lifestyle” for participants, including people with special needs.
A mini marathon hosted by QNB had 3,500 entries in addition to 4,000 other guests who participated in other activities at the QNB Fun Zone and recreation areas.
Qatar Petroleum hosted a variety of activities at Al Ghazal Club. Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada attended.
Maersk Oil Qatar organised an integrated programme near Aspire ground having of activities.Sports ,games and served the food to the all participant.thousands of people attended the event
Heir apparent attends activities at tennis complex
Heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani yesterday attended National Sports Day celebrations. They participated in sports activities being held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex and played table tennis. the heir apparent toured the complex facilities. Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad also took part in activities of the Women's Committee, held at the Aspire women's sport hall.