‘A trail to vibrant lifestyle,’ QES lauds DHFC initiative

The opening of Doha Festival City’s (DHFC) 3km 'Outdoor Leisure Trail' next month will encourage many Qatar residents, especially cyclists and mountain bikers, to exercise more and live an active lifestyle, Qatar Extreme Sport (QES) founder Farhan al-Sayed told Gulf Times.

“Having dedicated sports and recreational facilities around the malls, and like DHFC, attract and inspire people to stay fit,” he stressed.
Lauding the initiative, al-Sayed said that any new development in Doha or other cities with dedicated tracks for cycling, jogging and skate parks for skateboarding, longboarding and rollerblading has always been a great idea.
The QES founder noted that he plans to get in touch with the DHFC management to host regular events in mountain biking and extreme sports such as BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading, longboarding and free running once the project is ready.

He pointed out that holding regular sports activities, events and competitions in the country will also encourage the youth “to pick sport rather than a gadget.”
Al-Sayed also reiterated the importance of having a National Sport Day saying that Qatar is among the few countries in the world with a dedicated day for sport. “Thanks to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the state observes a sport day that encourages residents to take up sport and physical activity as their hobby,” he noted. “Qatar is considered as the sports capital of Asia as it hosts major sporting events in various disciplines.”
Like other sport groups and organisations, QES is working hard to keep children away from electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones, and encourage them to be physically active by organising year-round sporting events. While many of the projects in the country are designed with dedicated paths for walking, jogging and cycling, al-Sayed said the Trail provides a unique outdoor facility for cyclists, mountain bikers, enthusiasts, and walkers.
The Trail, which surrounds the QR6.5bn mixed-use development project, also features a running and walking path, as well as an adjacent cycling lane with technical trail features designed for mountain bikes. Winefredo David Jr, a member of Dirty Jump BMX – Qatar and mountain biker, told Gulf Times that many cycling and MTB groups are anticipating for the Trail’s opening next month.
“A lot of my friends are actually very excited to use this Trail, it is a one-of-its-kind facility in the country,” he said. “Giving people free access to use it will promote our sport.”
According to David, residents in the area will be the first to benefit from DHFC’s indoor and outdoor facilities designed to promote extreme sports and an active lifestyle.
“They will save more time from travelling to other venues far from their homes just to exercise, walk, jog, or bike,” he added.