BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Qatari sports stars Mishal Al Naimi and Abdulaziz Al Kuwari are among the celebrities to attend the sixth edition of Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Fun Day organised annually by Reach Out To Asia (Rota).
“For this year’s event at the Museum of Islamic Art Park, celebrities, entertainers and sports stars are joining and helping Rota promote benefits of regular exercise, healthy diet and enjoying life,” H E Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Falah Al Thani, Rota board member, told a press conference held at the Qatar Foundation Recreation Centre yesterday to launch the event.
Other famous personalities who have already confirmed their attendance for the event scheduled for February 8 are Iraqi singer Rahma Riyadh, Bahraini actors Ali Al Ghrair and Khalil Al Rohaithi and Kuwaiti singer Bashar Al Shati.
More local and regional sports personalities and celebrities are expected to come to the community event which attracts thousands of people.
With the theme ‘Reach Out By Having Fun’, the family day partners with the final stage of the Tour of Qatar to give families opportunity to cycle at the same circuit used by professional cyclists, take part in fitness activities and watch celebrities perform on The Stage.
The circuit will see adults, children and celebrities jog, walk, cycle or wheelchair three kilometres along the Doha Corniche to help Rota raise funds to provide quality education to 48 million needy children across Asia.
“In particular, funds raised from this event will go to scholarships for students in Indonesia,” said Rota Executive Director, Essa Al Mannai.
He said that the event reflects “Rota’s mission towards education and highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”
In partnership with Flagship Sponsor Maersk Oil Qatar, Wheels ‘n’ Heels 2013 is making special efforts to promote Action on Diabetes, offering checkups and advice on preventing and managing diabetes.
“With our partners from ‘Action on Diabetes’, we will also be setting up our diabetes awareness village to compliment the event’s activities. A healthy lifestyle is a very important factor in preventing Type 2 diabetes, and we are pleased to join with Rota in this important event,” said Faisal Al Medehkah, Head of Social Investment, Maersk Oil Qatar.
Kids Zone will provide children non-stop entertainment, bouncy castles, face painting, fun games, interactive sports and performances by well-known singers and dancers.
The Childhood Cultural Centre will provide books and arts and crafts materials at the event.
There will also be an autograph signing session with local and international celebrities and sports stars.
In the Active & Health Zone, people will learn more about first aid, how to prevent accidents and get free health checkups.
Civil Defence staff will teach children the importance of road safety, traffic rules, fire safety and how to use a fire extinguisher. Aspire, Qatar Cycling Federation and Girls on the Go promise hours of fun sports and fitness activities.
There will also be a big screen for people to follow the day’s events and a food zone offering healthy snacks.
Present at the press conference were Abdullah Saleh Al Raisi, Deputy CEO of Commercial Bank, the leadership sponsor, and Sheikh Khalid Al Thani, Head of Qatar Cycling Federation.
Other organisations participating in the event include Civil Defence, Qtel, Qatar National Cancer Society, Qatar Institute for the Elderly and National Programmes. The event runs at MIA Park on February 8 from 2pm until 8pm.
The Peninsula
