DOHA: Qatar’s fastest woman Noor Al Malki is supporting the upcoming National Sports Day celebrations as an ambassador of the event.
Al Malki shot to fame in the athletic world as the first female athlete to represent Qatar in the Olympics when she competed in London Games last year.
Today, she feels the National Sports Day initiative is a perfect opportunity to promote sports across the country and encourage people to leave sedentary lifestyle behind them and flock to indoor and outdoor gymnasia.
“My health is better, I can feel my body stronger, my immune system runs smoothly and my social life has bloomed. What else should I ask for?
“Practising sports, especially athletics, has changed my life, not to mention that I am far more recognisable than before,” she said.
“To be honest I haven’t done many things yet; I want to keep on running and, God willing, to become one day a role model for the generation to come” explains Noor who advises people, especially women, to embrace sporting life.
“I want to underline the necessity of practising. People mustn’t hesitate to put their sneakers on and join a gym.
“Practising sports will make them feel more energetic, more powerful and healthier,” Al Malki added.
As far as the nation’s ambition to become an international sports hub, Qatar Athletics Federation’s Best Female Athlete for 2011 says:
“Initiatives like the National Sports Day are advertising Qatar’s willingness to become a sporting nation, to encourage people to become sport-addict’
“We can show other nations that our society is adopting the sport culture and is open to fresh ideas for a healthier and robust life.”
On her ambition for the forthcoming post-Olympic season, she said: “I want to run as fast as I can. I admit that setting a new national record in the 100m with a sub-12 second timing is my main target along with success at the Arab Championships.”
The National Sports Day Ambassadors are a group of top elite athletes in Qatar who pledged their support to this year’s events.
Their skills, spirit and commitment to sport embody the values of the National Sports Day.
Barwa Real Estate Group & Subsidiaries and Qatar Rail are preparing to celebrate the Sports Day through several sports, social and cultural events.
The team handling the Sports Day in Barwa Real Estate has made preparations and lined up activities at the Diplomatic Club.
The Sports Day programme will target staff members and their families from the group, its subsidiaries, and Qatar Rail.
It will include competitions in football, basketball and volleyball, in addition to other sports and cultural activities.
The organisers have also finalised prizes for all participants who show enthusiasm and willingness to be part of the day.
“The Sports Day team has been holding intensive meetings with all stakeholders to put together a special celebration capable of delivering the main message which the Sports Day aims to convey,” said Hamad Rashid Al Kuwari, Director of Group Communication at Barwa Real Estate.
For more information about the National Sports Day, visit www.sportday.qa or Facebook: www.facebook.com/QatarNSD or Twitter: twitter.com/Qatar_NSD
The Peninsula
