DOHA: Sixty children aged 10 to 16 will participate in Katara’s first El Meyna competition from tomorrow.
The three-day contest opens at 4.30pm at Katara Beach but could be postponed depending on weather conditions, Ahmad Al Hatmi, Director, Katara Beach Administration, told a meeting on Monday.
The orientation meeting was held to explain to young participants and their parents conditions and the process of the contest aimed at educating children on their maritime heritage.
Participants were divided into five teams, each with 12 members, including the ship captain, (Al Nokhitha), boatswain mate (Al Majdami) and diver attendant (Arathif).
The teams will sail from Katara Beach to Safliyya Island and return to the beach for the conclusion of the event on Saturday at 5pm.
As part of requirements, the organising committee yesterday started to check the fitness of participants for swimming at Aspire swimming pool. The check continues today.
“The idea of the contest came from the last Senyar competition with the aim of preparing children to join Senyar.
“We want to teach children about Senyar and its importance to our heritage,” said Al Hatmi.
Children will also have a chance to participate in Fath Al Kheir when they cross 18.
The aim is to promote the Qatari maritime heritage among children to enable them to learn the job of their ancestors how they were committed when they were in the sea.
Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, said Katara is keen to maintain the Qatari maritime heritage by organising such events and festivals in a way that it would be transferred to generations.
“Also through these events and festivals we are imbibing old terms such as Senyar and Leshta and today we are highlighting the word Al Meyna,” he added.
The contest has many benefits and educational aims to promote good conduct and values like cooperation and group work by letting participants prepare their food, manage their lives while on the boat, and conduct group prayers and lectures on religion and national identity.
There will be no winners and all participants will be honoured since the goal of the contest is educational.
The Peninsula
