DOHA: Several government entities and organisations have announced their programmes to celebrate National Sport Day tomorrow.
Qatar Foundation (QF) unveiled over 40 activities for its students and the public, at a press conference yesterday.
These include programmes for special groups such as women, children, people with disabilities, and families and for the public.
Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director, Community Affairs, QF, said women-only activities include boxercise, spinning, aerobics, cross training, mats pilates and circuit and those for the disabled include interactive wheelchair basketball and table tennis.
Children’s activities include street basketball tournament, football skills and running competitions. Students and adult activities are beach volleyball and football competition, frisbee, running competition, street basketball and rowing, while walkathon and QF Ride (E-bikes) are open to all. “QF invites all residents to attend its celebrations. QF will demonstrate how a few small steps towards a healthier lifestyle can bring out the sportsperson in each of us, with the theme ‘Unlocking Your Inner Athlete’,” he said.
Al Nuaimi said QF is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports and other physical exercises in line with the objectives of National Sport Day and Qatar National Vision 2030’s human development pillar.
ENVIRONMENT Ministry
The Ministry of Environment has completed preparations to mark the day in Barzan park.
Minister of Environment H E Ahmed bin Amer Al Humaidi will attend the celebration that begins at 8am. The ministry’s officials and employees, their families and the general public will take part, reports QNA. Mohsen Zayed Al Khayareen, Director, Public Relations and Communication, said the ministry has prepared programmes, including country race, and table tennis, football and volleyball competitions, to raise awareness about sports.
Ooredoo
Ooredoo has lined up a schedule to engage with people across Qatar, including competitions and shows and exercise classes for children at Museum of Islamic Art Park. Highlights include a new ‘Snow Area’ for visitors to get a taste of the cold with snowball fights and a snow slide.
For children, ‘Speed Painting with Jean Francois’ and Disney’s Wish Upon a Dream have been arranged. Football and shooting tournaments, land-rowing, arm and sumo wrestling, family treasure hunt, among others, will also be organised, said Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Director, Community & Public Relations. “This year, Ooredoo is all about encouraging everyone to get fit through fun activities. We have pulled out all the stops to provide our biggest National Sport Day event yet and hope everyone will take part.”
HMC
Hamad Municipal Corporation (HMC) is hosting health and sports-related activities for staff and their families. The program includes a walkathon around Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City (HBKMC) starting at 9am from Nurses Club, and a mini football tournament at the club from 2pm to 4pm. It is also holding activities, including basketball, mini golf, and children’s games, in and around HBKMC from 9am.
Participants will have the opportunity to check blood pressure, body mass index, height, weight and diabetes. Staff from the Nutrition Department will provide healthy eating advice.
Ali Al Khater, Executive Director, Corporate Communications Department, HMC, said as the principal public healthcare provider, HMC is playing an integral role on the day on a wider community and staff level.
“HMC is striving to implement Qatar National Vision 2030 which highlights the need to build a healthy society to meet the country’s growth and development goals. “HMC is proud to be participating in activities for the day for the fourth consecutive year. The day highlights Qatar’s commitment to a healthy future and we are pleased to be joining other government entities and organisations in supporting the occasion.” Aisha Al Khulaifi, Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, HMC, said: “We are encouraging our staff and their families to get involved and make every effort to lead a healthy life.”
Qta
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has also invited the public and hotels and tourism companies to a walkathon, organised in cooperation with United Development Company at the Pearl-Qatar.
It aims to allow participants to tour the Pearl-Qatar, a synonym for Arab Riviera, in the heart of Doha. “The event is part of QTA’s efforts to engage with the public and the hotels sector, boost sports tourism in cooperation with private and public sectors, and promote Qatar as a world tourism destination capable of attracting tourists from around the world to attend and take part in world-class sport activities,” said Saif Al Kuwari, Director, Public Relations and Communications Department, QTA.
Sport Village
The Sport Village is again the main hub of activity in Doha and is open from 8am to 10pm on National Sport Day.
The Qatar Paralympic Committee and over 10 national federations are offering free activities and entertainment for every age and fitness level.
The public is encouraged to try as many activities as possible. Some of Qatar’s sporting stars, including Para Champions Abdulrahman Abdulkader, Sara Hamdi Masoud and Mohammed Al Khubazi, will demonstrate skills and provide training tips.
Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Head of Media, Qatar Olympic Committee, said, “The Sport Village is bigger and better than ever with entertainment and exciting activities for everyone. Our aim is to introduce as many people as possible to a whole range of sports with demonstrations and skill sessions. This way we hope to get all of Qatar trying new sports, meeting new people and taking steps towards leading an active and healthy lifestyle.”
The committee has set up an athletics track and the public is invited join in and learn more about paralympic sport and activities available for people with disability.The Peninsula
