More than 2,000 students from 25 schools learned about the three equestrian disciplines to be part of Arab Games Doha 2011 – dressage, jump, and endurance – during an interactive event at the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) yesterday.
Wathnan official mascot of the Arab Games Doha 2011
Present on the occasion were senior officials from the Arab Games Organising Committee (AGOC) and QEF. Wathnan, a traditional Arabian horse and official mascot of Arab Games Doha 2011, made a surprise appearance at the programme.
Qatari Equestrian star Ali Bin Yousef al-Remehi, gold medal winner in the jumping competition at the equestrian games in the 15th Asian Games, Doha 2006, entertained a large audience of excited schoolchildren with his best moves in jump and dressage.
Hamad bin Mohammed al-Attiya, President, Cultural Committee, spoke on the importance of horses in Arab culture, as well as the role played by equestrian sport in major sporting events in Qatar.
“I would like to thank QEF for their contribution in adding value to the youth of Qatar by educating them about the equestrian disciplines, which are not only very popular sports in the Arab world, particularly Qatar, but also very important in Arab culture,” said al-Attiya.
“We are proud, as a nation, to host the Arab Games in Qatar this year and welcome our Arab brothers, and strengthen the bond between Arabs through sport. We thank all who participated in organising this visit and introducing the young generation to jumping, dressage, and endurance. The only way children will become interested in different sports is by learning more about them, which is exactly what’s happening here,” he said.
The pure-bred, white Arabian horse, representing Wathnan at the event, also performed a series of classical moves as al-Rehemi walked the audience through the various aspects of the three equestrian disciplines.
Hussein al-Abdulla, Head of Spectator Services, AGOC, said: “Through sport Qatar is investing in people, developing skills and expertise as the nation responds to a common goal of hosting major events.”
“We look forward to seeing other sporting federations organise such events where children can learn and be entertained, while developing a passion for sport and understanding the spirit of competition at the same time,” he said.
In the lead up to the Arab Games, AGOC has organised several activities designed to involve the different Arab communities within Qatar, including Ramadan tents, art and story competitions, children’s publications, athlete visits to schools, athlete coaching clinics, and activity stations across shopping malls in Qatar.
One of these efforts include Wathnan – a children’s activity book based on the adventures of the Arab Games’ mascot. Complete with stories, quizzes, and facts about Arab Games Doha 2011, Wathnan children’s magazine is a part of AGOC’s wide range of creative initiatives designed for the youth in Qatar, as means of involving them in the upcoming multi-sport event. The first edition of the interactive, comic book style, activity book, was published in October. A total of three issues will be published until the start of Arab Games Doha 2011.
Titled A Lesson In Humility, the second edition of Wathnan children’s magazine has been launched and distributed to schools and youth centres across the country by the Arab Games Organising Committee (AGOC) – the organising body of Arab Games Doha 2011, scheduled to run from December 9–23.
“The purpose of this magazine is to stimulate thinking and creativity in young children, as they learn about an event that is both socially and culturally important to Arabs, as well as teach them ” said Hassan al-Mohammadi, Manager, Communication and Promotion.
