State institutions participated in the activities of the National Sport Day on Tuesday by organising sports events in which workers and their families took part.The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau's activities were held at Al Gharafa Sports Club, in the presence of its president HE Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa.
The programme included events for employees and their families, and a number of recreational competitions emphasising the moral values and the importance of practising sports and its positive impact on health and lifestyle.
The General Authority of Customs and the General Tax Authority jointly organised sporting events that constitute an added value to society, and at the same time carry a purposeful message based on spreading the positive spirit at all levels. The events were organised in accordance with the health directives announced by the Ministry of Health.
President of the General Tax Authority HE Ahmed bin Issa al-Mohannadi, Assistant President of the General Authority of Customs for Support Services Affairs HE Mohamed Abdullah al-Maadeed and Assistant President of the General Tax Authority for Tax Affairs Ghanem Khalifa al-Attiyah and a number of directors of departments and employees of both sides took part in a two-hour walk organised for men at Lusail Marina Walk. A women's event was organised for a number of customs and tax officials in a sports complex.
The Cultural Village Foundation - Katara saw a large turnout from different age groups and social segments (citizens and residents) who participated in the sports activities. General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said Katara has worked since the issuance of the Amiri Decree in 2011 approving the National Sports Day, to support the country's efforts aimed at spreading the culture of sports.
Saadoun al-Kuwari, a former rally champion, said sport had a great role for his health, as it helped him to quit smoking.He praised the demand for sports and called for encouraging young people to practise it, stressing that it is a way to prevent a large number of diseases such as obesity and diabetes, in addition that it can upgrade an individual to internationalism..
Msheireb Downtown Doha, the Heart of Doha, also witnessed sporting events, which included cycling, walking and children's games.
The State Audit Bureau held various sports activities, including a bicycle ride. HE President of the State Audit Bureau, Abdulaziz bin Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Emadi, stressed that the Sport Day reflects the wise vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, aimed at investing in the human element and building a healthy and productive society capable of actively contributing to comprehensive development for a better tomorrow, pointing out that celebrations marking the Sport Day this year come at a time when Qatar, thanks to this wise leadership, has turned into a capital of sports and a destination for athletes from around the world with the approach of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Al-Emadi added that Qatar has succeeded in achieving the goals of dedicating a sports day to the country by enhancing society's awareness on the importance and benefits of sports, which was reflected in the active and positive participation of various members of society in the activities of the National Sport Day over the past years and made sports part of their daily lives.
Qatar University also celebrated the day at its Sports and Events Complex. Sports activities, organised by the Student Activities Department at Qatar University, were launched virtually via the YouTube platform, with the participation of a number of officials and supervisors of activities at the university. Boys activities included warm-up and cardio exercises resistance, aerobic exercises, stretching exercises, exercises for children, and chairlift exercises.
As for the activities for girls, they included aerobics, stretching and preventive exercises using a chair and yoga.
Qatar University decided to transform the Sports Day into an interactive virtual, highlighting the role of the leading student athletes in organising the event and presenting most of the items included in the Sport Day, in addition to using student clubs to form an artistic mural for the Sport Day and directing a documentary film on the day, filmed and directed by the Film Club. It included the Sports facilities and highlighed the role of students in university life from the sports side, and its role in promoting sports culture.
President of Qatar University, Dr Hassan bin Rashid al-Derham, said in a speech on the occasion, "For years, the sport day has not been an ordinary day, but it rather has become a national occasion that is renewed every year, and is celebrated by the state and its various institutions because of its great importance in various fields, namely health and social awareness which Qatar University shares in realising its importance, and in order to revitalise various activities that enrich and distinguish this occasion, despite the circumstances and obstacles imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and in order to preserve public health, which is one of the goals of the Sport Day."
The university decided that these activities should be real, but from a distance, not virtual, and include various exercises such as fitness, ball training for adults, gym workouts for kids, and more.
He pointed out that this year's Sport Day has been of particular importance as it represents a stage between two tournaments: the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, which concluded nearly two months ago, and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will come a few months later.
For its part, the Public Prosecution participated in the activities of the National Sport Day by holding a variety of sports activities, in the presence of HE Attorney General, Dr Issa bin Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi and a number of the Attorney General's deputies and employees of the Public Prosecution.
Out of keenness by the Public Prosecution to organise sport events safely on the National Sport Day to limit the spread of coronavirus, effective measures were taken to protect the participants and organisers, with all group activities held in the open air.
Qatar Central Bank also participated in the country's celebrations marking the Sport Day. It organised a cycling march for the participants who were keen to attend the annual event, which is considered an actual translation of the directives of the wise leadership, to motivate everyone, citizens and residents, to practise sports on this day in an extensive manner.
Qatar Amateur Radio Society also participated in the activities of the National Sport Day 2022, where the QARS, under the sponsorship of the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund, set up a main station at its headquarters to highlight the day on air. A Qatari amateur was allowed to work from the QARS' station.
The Aspire Zone Foundation organised a variety of activities with the participation of a number of companies and educational institutions.
Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Zone Foundation Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi explained that the state's sports institutions, led by the Aspire Zone Foundation, did not fail to perform their mission, and were able to accommodate the various requirements of the public, as they focused during this day mainly on activities aimed at promoting physical activity as a daily healthy behaviour and to enhance awareness among the participants of the importance of sport and its role in the lives of individuals and societies.
Chairman of the Sport Day Committee at Aspire Zone Foundation Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri stressed in an exclusive statement to QNA, that the most distinguishing feature of the Sport Day activities in Aspire Zone is the provision of distinctive experiences and specialised programmes for the public.
The Qatar Red Crescent Society also celebrated the National Sport Day. It organised a sports event in co-operation with Al-Ahly Sports Club, which was attended by high-ranking officials of the Qatar Red Crescent, headed by Ambassador Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Qatar Red Crescent Society, Executive Director Faisal Mohamed al-Emadi, Executive Director of the Medical Affairs Sector Abdullah Sultan al-Qattan and a number of sector managers and heads of departments, in addition to male and female employees and their families.
Qatar Social Work Foundation and its centres participated in the National Sport Day, after a year-long interruption due to the precautionary measures to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, by organising a walking activity in the public square in Katara. It had theparticipation of various spectrums of society, including people with disabilities, families, youth, children and the elderly, and led by the leaders of the Foundation and affiliated centres.
The celebration included the organisation of various sports activities for children, youth and people with disabilities, to encourage exercise and enjoyment of physical activities in the open air and in a moderate climate, based on the Foundations efforts in line with the national vision of making sports a tradition in the lives of all members of society, regardless of their varying physical abilities and awareness.
In a related context, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Social Work Foundation Ahmed al-Kuwari stressed in statements that the Foundation is keen to follow in the footsteps of the state to improve people's wellbeing, take care of their health, protect their human capabilities and to encourage sports.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation organised special events for the National Sport Day at the Khalifa International Complex, where many entertainment matches and competitions were held. Another event was held at the Sheraton Hotel, which included many matches open to all ages.
The Qatar Committee for Rugby and Hockey also organised a number of activities at Katara Beach during its participation in the Sports Day, which included both rugby touch and beach hockey. In addition, there were also a number of other recreational hockey activities hosted at Al Bayt Stadium in co-operation with Al Dana Center for Girls and the Youth Initiative 2022, the Burling School Stadium, and the Al Markhiya Club Stadium. (QNA)
