Parasailing performances to enthral visitors at Aspire Park

Cultural activities, including a traditional ‘Ardha’ dance led by Aspire Academy student-athletes and staff, marked the Qatar National Day (QND) at Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) yesterday. The event, held at the Aspire Park, was attended by AZF CEO Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, Aspire Academy’s deputy director general Ali Salem Afifa, and other senior staff members from Aspire Logistics, Academy and Aspetar.The celebration also features a number of attractions such as a falconry and camel corner, family activities, Henna drawings and a traditional Majlis sitting. According to AZF, the QND activities will resume tomorrow (Saturday) with thrilling events lined up. From 3pm to 5pm, Aspire Park’s skyline will witness one of the biggest parasailing performances conducted by the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), members of which will descend in different formations into the park behind the lake near Al Furousiya Street. Lekhwiya’s special forces will also showcase outstanding horses and police dogs. These will include displays of various horse formations and barrier jumps, and a tent pegging demonstration, an ancient sport during which riders overcome an obstacle course while riding a horse and wielding a sword. Throughout the weekend after sunset, Aspire Park will also dazzle attendees with its beautiful display of maroon LED flowers on the lake, complementing the colourful decorations in place around the park.“The National Day celebration is a testament to Qatar’s success and its blessings, thanks to the leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” al-Suwaidi said.“More than 1,000 employees from 87 nationalities at AZF and its various member organisations (Aspire Academy, Aspire Logistics and Aspetar) were joined by our great student-athletes,” he noted. “They took part in marking this great day to express their love for the country that has given us so many opportunities and celebrate its ongoing achievements and growth.”  AZF, in collaboration with the Doha Film Institute (DFI), will display the ‘Dari Qatar’ film at 5:15pm on Sunday. Following the screening, DFI will choose the top five winners in the ‘short film’ competition launched earlier this month to mark QND. The short films are inspired by speeches from His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.