Alarge number of private and public establishments, companies and organisations celebrated National Sport Day with fun-filled and innovative activities.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) held health and sports-related activities for staff and their families at Nurses Club, Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
A walkathon was followed by basketball, lawn tennis, mini football and mini golf games for adults. Children celebrated the day playing on bouncy castles and enjoying board games. Free blood pressure, diabetes and body mass index, height and weight screenings were held for participants.
First aid demonstrations and tips on cardiopulmonary resuscitation through demonstrations on dummies and tips on healthy eating were part of the events.
Many employees and children also took time to write or draw a health message on a wall mural to commemorate the day. Face painting and drawing activities were other highlights.
HMC’s Blood Donation Centre organised mobile campaigns at Aspire Zone and near Sheraton Hotel Doha on the Corniche. HMC staff educated people on the importance of donating blood, offered general health advice and performed routine checks.
Hamad International Airport set up a sports activity booth with mini golf and mini football with prizes for winners.
It also organised a step counting activity to encourage walking as a form of exercise that can be easily incorporated into our everyday lives even when travelling. From the time passengers entered the terminal until they reached their boarding gates, the number of steps they took and the distance they covered were counted and the information was displayed on every boarding gate to see before they boarded their flights.
The airport also organised a Sports Day social media contest where people were asked to submit pictures of themselves participating in a sporty or healthy activity to win prizes.
Qatar Petroleum (QP) held activities for over 4,000 of its employees and their families at Aspire Zone Park.
Over 300 staff formed a human QP logo to signify unity in pursuing its strategic objectives. Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada visited the venue.
Activities included aerobics and Zumba, freestyle football, basketball hoops, zorb football, an inflatable obstacle course, wall climbing, and a boot camp combat course.
A play area was set aside for children under five, along with specific areas for drills and games.
Selected participants for QP’s weight loss challenge ‘Be Healthy, Be a Winner’ were formally announced and the winner will be awarded in next year’s National Sport Day.
Similar events were held in Dukhan, where QP staff took part in football, volleyball, golf, badminton, rugby and tennis competitions, water sports and a 5km walkathon.
Qatargas held events at the gymnasium at its head office building in Doha, in Al Gharafa Sports Club, Doha Golf Club, Al Khor Community and the winter camp in Sealine.
Sports like football, beach volleyball, basketball, table tennis and cricket were held. There was also a special area for children with bouncy castles, slides and other attractions.
People had the opportunity to have their blood sugar levels, blood pressure and body mass index checked in a dedicated area set by Qatargas’s Medical Department. Over 4,000 employees and families participated in the activities.
Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco) hosted activities for its employees at its club, Al Banush. Events included football and volleyball, track and field games, shot-put, discus throw, 50-metre, 100-metre and 2,000-metre races, kids games, lemon and spoon and Shoot the Basket.
Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) conducted sports, recreational, and informative activities for visitors at Katara Cultural Village and QRC teams took part in sports events organised by 46 institutions.
QRC ambulance vehicles and paramedics at Katara and Diplomatic Club received cases, including fatigue and injuries. Serious cases were moved by ambulance vehicles to hospital for specialised care.
Ashghal organised a special programme at Katara beach. Ashghal’s staff and those of affiliate companies and their families competed in games and tournaments, including beach football and beach volleyball. There were special activities for children.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar joined the festivities with a friendly football match featuring faculty, staff and students.
The Peninsula
