University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) celebrated Qatar National Sport Day with a full schedule of physical activities, competitions and fun in collaboration with Paris St Germain (PSG), BeBasketball, and TnT Athletics.
Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation president and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education HE Dr Ibrahim Saleh al-Naimi, UDST president Dr Salem al-Naemi, students, staff and their families along with university partner organisations and the external community participated in a diverse range of sport and wellness events.
In a bid to maximise participation and encourage attendees of all ages and interests to participate, the UDST campus was transformed into a mix of dedicated sport zones and sections for health and nutrition.
Highlights of the day included the PSG Kids’ football activities, BeBasketball Zone with ball drills and fun games, and sprint challenges with TnT Athletics. Attendees were able to watch the knockout stages of UDST’s Football 7 vs 7 male intramurals, as well as the finals of the UDST FIFA E-Gaming Competition.
A family fun walk and run allowed groups to explore the campus together on foot, and a diverse Nutrition Zone was set up at the Events Park picnic areas for guests to take advantage of healthy food options. The day ended on a high with the famous Bus Pull, where UDST’s strongest students tested their willpower and might.
Dr Salem al-Naemi, said: “Sport and wellness is so much a part of our university culture, and one way through which we develop well-rounded individuals with drive, resilience, and a healthy outlook on life. Sport and physical fitness also play important roles in the Qatar National Vision 2030, and the popularity of National Sport Day is a fine example of the country’s commitment to health and wellbeing."
Sport and wellness are significant themes running through life at UDST, which last month hosted the first ever GCC Universities Sport and Wellness Symposium. UDST was also the first university in the Mena region to be awarded the FISU Platinum Level Healthy Campus accolade.
Tony Martin, manager of UDST’s Sport and Wellness department, said: “We love sport at UDST, so Qatar National Sport Day is a highly anticipated holiday every year. It brings us together as a community with a good dose of competitive spirit, and an abundance of positive energy. This year our Sport and Wellness team, plus sport business partners curated a diverse programme, ensuring activities for all skill levels and interests. From competitive cricket and football matches, a fun family walk/run event, to nutrition awareness, our goal was to create an environment where everyone, regardless of background or ability, could find an activity that speaks to them.”
"UDST has a strong culture of sport and wellness. Students and staff can take advantage of state-of-the-art sport and wellness facilities including swimming pools, sports halls, turf and natural grass football pitches, a cricket ground, cricket batting cages, indoor and outdoor Padel and tennis courts, and a beach volleyball court. Two additional facilities that will soon be opened to the university and public community include our much-anticipated E-Gaming Room and Spin Studio. All of these facilities are available to the public as the university strives to make opportunities for health and well-being more accessible to the wider community, helping establish daily sports practice as healthy, habitual behaviour."
