Chairperson of Qatar Foundation H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser interacting with a child during National Sport Day (NSD) activities held yesterday in Education City.
Doha, Qatar: Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF) H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attended National Sport Day activities yesterday at Qatar Foundation’s Education City, where thousands of community members gathered to promote sports and fitness as a vital aspect of daily life.
Education City was transformed into a vibrant sports and activities hub, hosting a wide array of inclusive events to promote sport and wellness. It became alive with exciting events such as the Education City Triathlon, featuring swimming, cycling, and running, and the Education City Run, offering race options for all ages.
H H Sheikha Moza and Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani touring NSD activities at Education City.
H H Sheikha Moza also flagged off the cycling race part of Education City Triathlon and she also toured different activity areas along with Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani.
The Education City Stadium was the setting for a range of women-only activities, which attracted a large number of participants.
H E Sheikha Hind alongside Zainab Al Eqabi, a para-athlete and Volkswagen Middle East’s brand ambassador, awarded the winning teams in the Women’s and Girls’ Football Initiative, sponsored by Volkswagen Middle East.
Chairperson of Qatar Foundation H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser touring National Sport Day activities at Education City yesterday.
“I’m thrilled to join Qatar Foundation’s National Sport Day event in Doha with Volkswagen. As a Volkswagen ambassador and a passionate advocate for sports and wellness, I believe that staying active is not just about physical health – it also strengthens our minds, fosters a sense of community, and inspires positive lifestyle changes,” said Al Eqabi.
Volkswagen Middle East-sponsored activities in Education City were designed to meet the needs of all members of the community, whatever their age and physical fitness.
H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani with the winning teams in the Women’s and Girls' Football Initiative, sponsored by Volkswagen Middle East.
The Women’s Fitness Challenge at the Education City Stadium highlighted an exclusive obstacle course for women.
Communication Outreach Specialist at QF Dana El Ghazal, speaking to The Peninsula, said, “The response from women participants during QF’s National Sport Day has been overwhelmingly positive. When comparing our data from 2023 to 2024, there has been a 140% increase in unique participants,” adding that this year has seen more participation.
Attributing the increase in women participation to exclusive facilities, El Ghazal said, “We wanted to ensure we had facilities that are exclusive to women to encourage and maximise their participation, and foster a safe space where they can really excel. I think this sudden surge of interest is a testament to our commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging community and environment, specifically tailored to women.”
El Ghazal said, “We’re transforming the Education City Stadium to become a hub for women and to participate in sports on a regular basis. Also all year long at Education City, we have a very rich weekly community programmes that are tailored to women which includes volleyball, basketball, football, swimming, squash, tennis, and the list goes on.”
Dana El Ghazal, Communication Outreach Specialist at QF
The Family Zone at Oxygen Park provided a unique blend of team challenges and fun activities, and an array of fitness classes were also offered to the participants.
Advocate for Community Sports at QF Ghalya Al Harami said, “We are blessed to be part of a country that recognises the importance of sports. We all have come together here to spread awareness, knowledge and good vibes. We encourage people to start today and see the progress grow as they move on and move forward.”
Referring to the increase seen in community participation in activities, Al Harami said,
“National Sport Day is a nationwide initiative where we see lots of huge organisations participate.
As for QF, a number of activities are offered for people of all ages and fitness levels. Because of these events, QF has created a huge community involving lots of running groups, volleyball, fencing, cycling and a lot more. This year, there are more events exclusive for women.”
