Doha: An array of events and activities will be held today across the country to celebrate Qatar’s National Sport Day (NSD) 2023, where citizens and expatriates can participate.
The slogan of NSD this year is “Choice Is Yours.”
The activities span several sport events, including football, basketball, tennis, taekwondo, cycling, and swimming. Free sporting sessions and social competitions have been planned in parks and public areas.
Many government ministries and private sector companies will organise activities and sport day events for employees and the general public.
The major venues marked for the national sports celebration include sports clubs, public parks, Cultural Village Foundation, Katara and Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF).
During a media briefing yesterday, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced it would host many events at Oxygen Park in Qatar Foundation. The activities include the fun run, weightlifting, archery, taekwondo, judo, karate, gymnastics, athletics (high jump, long jump, running), handball, volleyball, basketball, football, table tennis, paralympic sports, boxing, badminton and fencing.
Katara will host about two dozen institutions such as Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Hamad Hospital, National Cyber Security Agency, and Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS). They will hold various sports activities from 8am to 5pm at Katara beach.
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) will welcome the public from 8am to 1pm. The foundation highlights its role in promoting the culture of sports through a great variety of activities.
Aspire Zone announced the details of the activities, which include more than 10 sports activities in Aspire Park, including volleyball and football competitions, Taekwondo and Tae-Boxing performances and classes and several other activities.
Al Bayt Stadium Park will host 12 companies participating in various sports and cultural events that serve the community in the northern side of the country. The activities include football matches, padel competitions, cycling, and others in collaboration with Juventus Football Academy, Nomas Center and Seashore Group. The activities will be held from 8am to 1pm.
The Amiri Resolution No. 80 of 2011 designated the second Tuesday of February of each year as Sport Day for the state when everyone is encouraged to participate in sporting activities with colleagues and family.
The first National Sport Day was held in 2012. The day’s primary purpose is to promote sports and to educate the local population on ways to reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes.
The day is also viewed as an opportunity to bring communities closer through sports based on team building, inclusion, unity, participation, fitness and health principles.
