Doha: The Qatar 2015 Organising Committee yesterday announced the launch of a nationwide schools programme that will work with 53 schools across Qatar to engage students with the sport of handball and encourage them to live healthy lifestyles.
Developed under the leadership of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar 2015 Organising Committee, and in cooperation with the Supreme Education Council (SEC), the programme will reach out across the country to increase awareness of handball among young people in Qatar, as the nation counts down to host the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship in January 2015.
With an ambitious programme that includes a schools tournament and a dedicated “Handball Activity Day”, the programme will also encourage each school to “adopt” one of the 24 participating countries in the World Championship and engage their students in discussions on handball and the geography, economy, environment and culture of the country. The events in the programme will help to broaden their knowledge of the world and enhance their interest in the sport.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Director General of the Qatar 2015 panel, said: “One of our main objectives is to generate interest about handball among pupils of all ages, and we will use this once-in-a-lifetime event to instil a lasting interest in handball. Our schools programme will engage students through a series of contests and competitions and encourage them to share our pride that Qatar is hosting this international event.”
Fawzia Al Khater, Manager of Education Institutes, SEC, said: “The Qatar 2015 Organising Committee seeks to engage students and young people as a key element of the tournament and we are honoured to provide all the support and encouragement for this exceptional sport event that is being held for the first time in the country. SEC supports sport in Qatar through physical education in schools, which is considered an essential source to supply sports clubs with future athletes for different types of sports.”
The Schools Programme, which kicks-off on November 9, will see 24 boys’ schools and 24 girls’ schools choose specific participating nations to follow during the run-up to the championship.
In addition, a further five schools will take part in the mini-tournament, which will take place in Doha on December 5 and 6 this year, running alongside the 17th Asian Clubs’ League Handball Championship.
A special “Handball Activity Day” on November 28 will provide each team with specialist coaches who will train the participating teams and teach families and members of the public the basics of the sport.
To generate interest and awareness, Fahed, the official mascot of the Qatar 2015 World Championship, will visit all 53 participating schools as part of the programme. During these visits, he will interact with the students, introduce them to the championship, host a number of special competitions and encourage a sense of sportsmanship and national pride.
Among the contests being launched is an art competition, which will encourage students to create a poster that links one of the participating countries to the sport of handball. There will also be a “best cheer” contest, which will reward schools that display the best sporting spirit.
To learn more about Fahed’s school visits and for updates on the schools programme, visit www.qatarhandball2015.com.
THE PENINSULA
