President of the National Cyber Security Agency Engineer Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki (second left, back) during the Sport Day activities at Katara.
Doha, Qatar: The Cultural Village Foundation ‘Katara’ marked this year’s National Sport Day with enthralling and vibrant events such as sports, culture, and health, featuring strong participation from numerous organisations, including ministries, government, and private entities.
The Peninsula explored the diverse activities at Katara, which included football, padel, beach volleyball, and marine sports in addition to exercise and health initiatives.
Deployed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to engage the public in several exercise activities, Hassan Salman, Senior Coach at Fit Island told The Peninsula, “We are here to make aware of the challenges for people to stay fit and show them that sports are good for life, health and wellbeing.”
He stressed that “Taking part in fitness activities makes a person look not just healthy but much younger too.”
Salman also lauded Qatar’s government and ministry officials for hosting the National Sport Day every year and encouraging the citizens and residents to attend sporting activities.
The National Cyber Security (NCSA) also organised a number of events and activities for kids such as Tug of War, basketball, and spinning exercises.
“It’s so good to be here and the kids especially are having fun,” said Hiba El Salam, an employee of NCSA, adding that every year the entity hosts a pavilion for children and families in Katara.
She mentioned that “Kids are always in school and this one day could be a fun day for them where they meet other kids at the same and make sure that they have more physical activities, especially since the weather is currently good.”
Ahmed abdelmouti, an expat from Sudan, expressed his delight in participating across various booths and pavillions at Katara. He said, “Well this is the second time I am attending Qatar’s National Sport Day and I have been enjoying the outdoor games thoroughly including football and basketball.”
“When you move around and engage in some kind of exercise, it boosts your fitness level and health, he added.
Apart from sporting activities, Katara also witnessed the pavilion of Hamad Medical Corporation and other hospitals and pharmacies promoting the prevention of safety measures in order to stay healthy.
Abdulnasser Slim, Resuscitation Officer at Hamad International Training Center said, “We are trying to combine sports with a healthy lifestyle, and food.”
He noted, “There is a big population gathering here due to Sport Day and therefore we have decided to merge sports with teaching like Zumba and physical training and we also teach the public how to do a chest compression in case of cardiac arrest, because without CPR, the patient or the victim will have no chance of survival.”
“We are here to deliver a message - Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, we have games for children to have fun and a CPR station for education in addition to Zumba training on the stage and vital body examination in our booth to do medical tests and ask any health-related questions,” Slim told the newspaper.
In a statement to the media, the Director of Public Relations and Communications at Katara, Salem Mabkhout Al Marri, said, “Today, Katara continues its pioneering role in promoting sports culture by organising a distinguished group of diverse events on the occasion of National Sports Day. At Katara, we are keen to provide a comprehensive sports experience for all members of society, as we offer a range of activities that suit different age groups and physical abilities, from group and individual sports to interactive fitness experiences, in cooperation with various ministries, official and private bodies, in addition to sports clubs.”
Besides, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) organised a series of sports events in celebration of National Sports Day at its pavilion in Katara.
The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of a large number of the Agency’s employees, their families, and the general public.
On this occasion, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, President of the National Cyber Security Agency, said that the importance of the Sports Day is evident in the state’s approach and interest in building a healthy and physically fit society, as sports are one of the vital pillars to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 through its impact on community health and strengthening the social bonds.
He also expressed his gratitude for being part of the event and underscored Qatar’s global leadership in the field of sports. He remarked that Qatar has firmly established itself as an international hub for major sporting events, championships, and athletic activities.
Furthermore, he reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to promoting a strong sports culture among its employees, fostering a spirit of teamwork, and cultivating an environment of team spirit and mutual support.
At its Katara pavilion, the NCSA organised a diverse range of sports activities, blending technology, digital engagement, and physical games designed for families and children. Additionally, group games were held to instill values of cooperation and encourage active participation across all segments of society.
