NSD shows Qatar's 'deep connection with sports'

A significant and unique event like Qatar National Sport Day (NSD) helps build bridges and enhance mutual understanding between people and cultures from around the world, Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan has said.

“We hope it (NSD) will create a bigger avenue for Qatar and Indonesia to have further co-operation and collaboration in sports,” he said, lauding Qatar for organising an annual sports day, which takes place every second Tuesday of February.In a press statement, the envoy noted that Qatar and Indonesia continue to enjoy friendly, cordial and long-lasting relations in the field of sports.Hassan said that the Indonesian Olympic Committee and Qatar Olympic Committee signed a memorandum of understanding last year to enhance co-operation in the sports field.This year, many Indonesians living in Qatar will again gather and exercise together – along with other communities – to mark NSD.The event this year, held under the slogan *Sports is Life, marks its 10th anniversary and underlines the key role of sports on people’s lives and society, and raises public awareness on the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.NSD Committee chairman Abdulrahman Musallam al-Dosari recently announced that all NSD events this year should be held outdoors, adhering to coronavirus (Covid-19) safety protocols imposed by the Ministry of Public Health.“Not many countries in this world have a sports day and make it as a national day. The way the government and people of Qatar are embracing sports is exceptional,” Hassan said. “It shows us how deep the connection of this country is with sports.”He added that sports, at many levels, “has been used as an effective tool to generate soft-power diplomacy”.“The success of Qatar in hosting many international events for example will give more prestige and a good image of Qatar in the international arena,” the ambassador said. “The FIFA World Cup 2022, of which Qatar is the host, is another example of how sports plays an essential role in diplomacy.”