HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attend the National Sport Day events at Qatar Foundation.
Doha
HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), joined thousands of spectators to celebrate National Sport Day at QF.
Their Highnesses watched participants enjoy a range of physical activities designed to inspire healthy living and enjoyment of sport, and thereby support delivery of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
They also witnessed a table tennis tournament for people with special needs, a basketball for children and adults as well as a range of traditional Qatari games such as sack races, rope pulling and Dahrouri.
The highlight of this year’s activities was the walkathon through Education City. Under the theme of ‘Unlock Your Inner Athlete’, each stage of the route included educational activities to inspire people to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.
The walkathon was inaugurated by Saad al-Muhannad, president, Qatar Foundation. Al- Mohannadi said “Modern-day lifestyles and everyday pressures can have a negative impact on physical and mental health, and I believe that sport is vital to counterbalancing these effects.Therefore, through its various centres, programmes, and initiatives, Qatar Foundation is focusing on integrating sports and exercise into everyday lives in order to encourage the population to become more active.”
The walkathon featured 47 activities along its 3.8 kilometre route which enabled visitors to learn more about Education City and the role that QF plays in promoting education, science and research, and community development.
Jassim Telefat, group executive director, Capital Projects and Facilities Management at Qatar Foundation, said: "It is great that traditional games have been introduced at the celebration. My generation enjoyed them when we were children and we are pleased to be introducing them to younger people today.Our event also allows Qatar Foundation to showcase Qatari culture and heritage to the wider community, including those from outside Qatar."
Mohammed Khamis, a newcomer to Doha, said: “I have only been here for ten days and am so pleased I brought my three children to Education City as they are having a wonderful time. I have just finished the walkathon and it is fantastic. I am very impressed with Qatar as a country, and proud we have such a forward-thinking country as Qatar in the Arab world.”
The Qatar Foundation cricket ground hosted a collection of activities throughout the day, including the annual Friendship Cup cricket tournament between Qatar Foundation and RasGas which seeks to strength social ties between the workers taking part. The stadium also witnessed tug of war competitions and cricket games for children too.
