The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani led the Sport Day celebrations yesterday by riding a purebred Arabian camel at Um Ethnaytein. He was accompanied by H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Adviser to the Emir.
DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani led the Sport Day celebrations by riding a purebred Arabian camel at Um Ethnaytein yesterday morning, while thousands of citizens and expatriates took part in a wide range of sporting activities across the country.
The day also witnessed the launch of several new initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle among the public such as the “Be Fit” competition on the Corniche and “Bil Afia” Wellness at Work Programme at Sidra Medical and Research Center.
The special ‘Sport Zone’ set up by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) on the Corniche featuring all day sport and recreation activities will remain open till February 16.
The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in sports activities organised by Qatar Orphan Foundation (Dhreima) at Al Arabi Sports Club.
He also took part in sports activities at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex and toured the facilities including the Heritage Village, the Kids Village and the VIP Village.
The National Sport Day officially started with a walk along the Corniche with the participation of high ranking officials — QOC Secretary General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of Health
H E Abdulla bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Minister of Justice H E Hasan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem, ExxonMobil President and General Manager Bart Cahir and famous Australian Olympic multi-medallist Ian Thorpe.
The “Be Fit” competition at the Sports Zone on the Corniche offering cash prizes worth QR250,000 drew a large number of people. Those registered with the competition have committed to a weight losing process, that will continue until the next National Sport Day, closely monitored by VLCC, co-organisers of the event.
Along with families, bachelors and single workers were also allowed to enter the Sport Zone without any restrictions.
Sidra yesterday launched its new Wellness at Work Programme, ‘Bil Afia” that will help employees improve general health and productivity, while creating a workplace culture focused on long-term well being.
The motto is: Eat Well, Live Well, Be well for yourself and for others.
National Sport Day events were also held in different spots in Doha and across Qatar, including at Aspire, Katara, Al Refaa, Museum of Islamic Art Park and all sports clubs. Dama, a traditional board game in the region was replayed at Katara Village, which also saw several other activities like yoga, cycling, sailing, beach soccer and beach volleyball
As the light of the day faded on the Corniche, a magnificent event concluded the first day at the QOC Sports Zone, with thousands of balloons lighting up the sky and offering a unique spectacle.
Al Refaa Street on the Shahaniya road witnessed special activities to mark the day with participation of several ministries and government institutions.
The Peninsula
