Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation, marked National Sport Day today by organising a series of distinctive activities at Aspire Park and Al Bidda Park under the theme “I Chose Sport”.
HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, attended the events held at Aspire Park. Several health sector leaders, employees, their families, and a significant number of the public from all age groups also participated in the events.
The Minister of Public Health stated: “National Sport Day is an annual occasion that reaffirms the State of Qatar’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of its population. The day underscores the importance of sport in the lives of individuals and its fundamental role in promoting health and quality of life. It contributes to making physical activity a daily habit for members of society, and I am delighted to witness the strong community engagement with its activities, initiatives, and awareness messages.”
His Excellency further explained that the Ministry of Public Health, together with health sector institutions, continues to prioritise promoting daily physical activity to support both physical and mental wellbeing among community members. In this context, he noted that the Ministry launched the booklet “Recharge Your Energy at Your Office” on the occasion of this year’s National Sport Day, aiming to encourage employees to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle during office hours.
The minister called on all members of the community to make sport and physical activity an integral part of their lifestyle and to adopt healthier living practices.
In line with national priorities, one of the key targets of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy related to quality of life is to increase the proportion of adults engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week to 79% among males and 70% among females.
HE Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Hamad Medical Corporation, affirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to promoting healthy living across all segments of society. He noted that National Sport Day is intended to encourage individuals of all ages to engage in a wide range of sports and physical activities, helping them integrate these activities into everyday life.
He added that Hamad Medical Corporation places significant emphasis on the health and wellbeing of its employees, with the annual organisation of National Sport Day activities aimed at encouraging staff members and their families to participate in physical activities and to recognise their positive impact on physical and mental health. He stressed that this is achieved within a supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing alongside professional development, enabling the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to patients and service users.
Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, Managing Director of the Primary Health Care Corporation, stated that National Sport Day embodies the State of Qatar’s commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and reinforcing sport as a core component of a healthy daily lifestyle. She pointed out that the Primary Health Care Corporation views the occasion as a national platform for raising health awareness and promoting positive health behaviours across the community.
She further noted that regular physical activity plays a direct role in preventing many chronic diseases and improving overall physical and mental health. In this regard, she confirmed that the Primary Health Care Corporation works to integrate the concept of physical activity into healthcare services delivered through health centres, including awareness initiatives, preventive screenings, and health counselling, to raise health awareness and promote positive health behaviours across the community.
Health sector employees and their families participated in a wide range of sporting, recreational and awareness activities tailored for both adults and children. These activities were organised across two main areas at Aspire Park to ensure inclusive and age-appropriate experiences. The children’s area featured interactive and educational activities centred on learning through play, including games related to healthy nutrition, simplified awareness activities addressing obesity and diabetes, obstacle course challenges, augmented reality games, and a “Junior Paramedic” station. This station introduced children to basic emergency response skills, while promoting values of responsibility, calmness, courage and teamwork, and highlighting the humanitarian role of the paramedic profession.
Meanwhile, the adults’ area included various sports challenges focusing on balance, flexibility, strength and concentration, as well as football activities. It also offered health screenings such as vital signs measurements, body mass index assessments and diabetes testing, in addition to health awareness activities on obesity prevention, diabetes and tobacco control. First aid awareness and training programmes, a blood donation campaign and several other initiatives were also held.
The events organised at Al Bidda Park also included a variety of sporting activities and health awareness initiatives for participants.
On the occasion of National Sport Day, the Ministry of Public Health and health sector institutions continue to intensify their efforts to raise awareness of the importance of sport and physical activity, to enhance health and quality of life for all members of society.
