To mark its seventh National Sport Day celebration, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has announced that it is organising more than 20 sporting activities for community members of all ages and physical capabilities.
This year’s celebration in Aspire Zone, spread across its outdoor and indoor facilities, is expected to be “one of the biggest in the country”, AZF has said in a press statement.
Speaking about this year’s programme, Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri, chairman of the NSD Organising Committee at AZF, said: “The team at Aspire Zone Foundation has worked tirelessly to organise a range of unique and thrilling family-oriented sporting activities designed to create an ideal sporting atmosphere in a family-friendly environment.
This year’s programme offers the perfect blend of sports and family fun that will bring local community members of all ages together to create memorable experiences.
“Our seventh National Sport Day celebration builds on AZF’s efforts all year round to promote a healthy and active lifestyle among the people in Qatar in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
lQatar’s first-ever dodgeball competition at Aspire Zone AZF said it collaborates with various local and international entities “year after year to introduce new and unique activities for families”. This year, dodgeball joins the wide range of activities “that visitors have come to expect from AZF”, the statement notes.
Dodgeball is similar to a handball game in which players or family members in two teams try to throw balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves.
The event will begin at 9am and last until 3pm.
It takes place on Football Pitch 10.
lJapanese Kendo demonstrations and Scandinavian Nordic Walk return for the second year. In collaboration with the Japanese embassy in Qatar, AZF is bringing back the Japanese Kendo demonstrations.
Kendo is one of the world’s oldest martial arts, which found its roots in Japan. Visitors will not only get to watch these performances, but will also be able to take part in them from 9am to 1pm on Aspire Zone’s Football Pitch 10.
Meanwhile, the Nordic Walk will take place from 11am in Aspetar’s West Wing.
Nordic Walking is a form of exercise whereby participants use especially designed poles.
Thanks to its low-impact nature, the activity can be enjoyed by non-athletes of all ages.
The Nordic Walk has been growing in popularity in recent years thanks to its many benefits, as it delivers total body fitness, increases cardio fitness, burns calories and activates 90% of the body’s muscles.
It is a ‘total body’ version of walking that can be enjoyed by non-athletes as a healthy physical activity.
Thanks to its low-impact nature, the sport is especially useful for the elderly and anyone with knee problems.
l Various children’s activities at Aspire Zone’s outdoor pitches. In addition to dodgeball and the Japanese Kendo, activities organised especially for children on Pitch 10 from 9am to 3pm include Boot camp and Telematch competitions, 5-a-side tournaments, football, martial arts and slackline skills demonstrations.
Face-painting, arts and crafts, maize cones, a skipping rope and obstacle courses will also be set up in Pitch 10 from 8.30am to 12noon.
l Challenge yourself and discover your potential at Aspire Dome. Aspire Dome, the world’s largest indoor multi-purpose arena, will house a variety of activities for families and friends.
Aspire Dome’s diverse and challenging activities attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Sprinting, hammer throwing and vertical jumps will be organised from 10am to 4pm at Aspire Dome’s Indoor Athletics Track, while football skills demonstrations activities will take place at the Indoor Football Pitch.
A set of entertaining multi-skill activities will be organised for little boys from 10am to 4pm in the Multipurpose Hall 01, while young girls can enjoy racket sports and gymnastic circuit activities in the Multipurpose Hall 02 from 10am to 1pm.
A series of ‘Team Building’ exercises that foster teamwork and co-operation will also be organised from 10am to 3pm at the Gymnastics Hall.
l The iconic Fun Run race to be one of this year’s highlights. The Fun Run race, one of the most popular events in AZF’s NSD programme in previous years, is back by popular demand and will be open to all members of the community, including men, women, families, children and persons with special needs, the statement adds.
The race comprises a 2.5km course around Khalifa International Stadium.
Registration for the race will begin at 6.30am and last until 7.30am.
The race will then start at 8am in the designated area between Khalifa International Stadium and The Torch Doha.
More information about Aspire Zone Foundation’s programmes and events is available on its social media channels, through the ‘Life in Aspire’ smartphone app or from the website, http://www.lifeinaspire.qa/NSD
Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri
