University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) celebrated Qatar’s National Sport Day (NSD), with a full day of physical activities, competitions and fun across campus.
Students, staff and their families took part in a full line up of events.
President Dr Salem Al-Naemi, said: “At UDST, we are passionate about providing our students, staff and the community at large with opportunities to be active and healthy. Qatar National Sport Day is the perfect chance for us to go the extra mile, and a fine example of Qatar’s investment in human capital, and commitment to health and well-being. Sports and physical fitness play key roles in Qatar National Vision 2030, with regard to hosting international sporting events and also ensuring that citizens and residents have ample opportunity to excel and grow as athletes. We are proud that UDST has the Mena region’s only FISU Platinum Level Healthy Campus, and National Sport Day is a great way to celebrate and demonstrate our commitment to sports, the wellbeing of our student and staff community, and to the country.”
The day started early at UDST with a Terry Fox Run – an annual tradition started by the Terry Fox Foundation in Canada, in the form of a fun run to honour the late athlete Terry Fox, while raising money for charity. The Doha Terry Fox Run across campus at UDST was a resounding success and an opportunity for participants and spectators to donate towards cancer research in Qatar.
Swimming, basketball and football challenges were held concurrently throughout the morning, as well as Paris St Germain Kids’ football activities on the grass football pitch at the Event Park; a 9 x 9 student football tournament on the university’s turf pitch; a cricket tournament and the popular Battle of the Colleges, featuring students and staff representatives from individual colleges.
The day’s scheduled events ended on a high with the impressive Tahadi Bus Pull - a physical challenge where UDST students, staff and faculty tested their strength, might and willpower.
“The opportunity to bring our university community together and celebrate health and fitness on National Sport Day was fantastic. Sports and wellness are core elements of university life, as is the belief that we can achieve great things through collaboration and teamwork. The range of challenging team events and fun group activities on offer to students, staff and their families this year made it a very special holiday indeed. Moving one step further, we gifted the local community free rental of all sport and wellness facilities after 2pm, to encourage participation and share our love of sports with as many people as possible.” said Anthony Martin, manager of the Sport and Wellness department.
Sport culture is big at UDST. The men’s and women's varsity teams for multiple sports compete in both intercollegiate and community leagues, and tournaments across Qatar and the region. UDST has recently participated in the 9th GCC tournament for universities and higher education institutions and won six medals.
The University FITClub programme is the biggest club on campus offering one-on-one consultations, nutrition advice and exercise programming. UDST Sport and Wellness also supports accreditations in fitness, coaching and lifeguarding providing student employees work skills for future employment.
Students and employees can also take advantage of state-of-the-art sport and wellness facilities including swimming pools, sports halls, tennis courts, turf and natural grass football pitches, a cricket ground, indoor and outdoor Padel-tennis courts, and a beach volleyball court. All of these facilities are available to the public as well.
