Officials at the event to unveil the activities lined up for National Sport Day at QOC headquarters, yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriil
Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced the events lined up for the 12th edition of National Sport Day (NSD) at Oxygen Park in Qatar Foundation during a media briefing held yesterday.
Addressing the event, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, Director of the Marketing and Communications Department at QOC, said, “QOC is committed to supporting sports and seeks to enhance participation in sport day activities year after year to ensure that sports are used as a means of positive change and the adoption of healthy and balanced lifestyles.
“QOC is aware of its duty and the value of its leading role in the field of managing sustainable events by organising activities related to events in accordance with the ISO standard,” she added.
Mohamed Issa Al Fadala, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at QOC, highlighted the importance of sport day and explained that the necessity of practicing sports must be part of daily life and not only on the National Sport Day.
Mashael Esmael Shahbik, Director of Events at Qatar Foundation, noted that on the occasion of NSD many activities will be held in four main locations in Qatar Foundation — Oxygen Park, Green Zone, Education City Stadium, and the Entertainment Center — to enhance community participation.
Elaborating on the activities, Abdullah Al Marri, Head of the Communication Unit of QOC, said the activities organised by the Qatar Olympic Committee in cooperation with sports federations include the fun run, weightlifting, archery, taekwondo, judo, karate, gymnastics, athletic (high jump, long jump, running), handball, volleyball, basketball, football, table tennis, paralympic sports, boxing, badminton, and fencing.
Also speaking during the event, Walid Mubarak, Director of Information Technology department at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and representative of the Council said, “The ‘Asian Games For All’ project aims to engage all Asian societies all over the continent to give everyone a chance to be involved in these games and live the experience regardless of age, gender physical capabilities. In the OCA we believe, sports is an activity that all the society should engage in and beside the competition aspect, it should be a fun activity to promote health and a better life.”
“The ‘Fun Run’ is a promotion for Hangzhou 2022, the 19th Asian Games and tomorrow we are there which is a special day for Qatar. We will promote a healthier life and we believe, Qatar is an advocate in the region for encouraging people to engage in sports."
Liu Zhizhong, Deputy Director of the Supervision and Audit Department of Asian Games Organizing Committee, said, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the OCA, the QOC and all our friends in the community who have been following and supporting our preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games which will take place from September 23 to October 8. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar.”
QOC aims to highlight the concept of unity in sport by inspiring community members especially younger generations to take up sport and welcoming people of all backgrounds, genders, and abilities to join the National Sport Day festivities. The event will be held with participation of National Federations, Team Qatar athletes, people with special needs, the QOC family, schools and community members.
