Alarming rise in heart diseases
Dear Sir,
The report about increase in heart diseases (“Qatar study reveals high risk of heart diseases”, Gulf Times, January 29), is shocking but not surprising.
The lifestyle of Qatar’s residents, during the last decade or so, has changed from a qualitative one to quantitative one.
The latest gadgets, availability of most of the public services at the click of a button, more restaurants and their upsize meals (!), are all available in abundance in Qatar now. Social gatherings or family outings are centred around food or films or cultural programmes. As mentioned in the report, most of the people don’t have any real physical activity at all. The situation is alarming indeed. Physical exertion is often frowned upon in society.
There are many stadiums and sports clubs in the country. I wonder why residents don’t make use of these facilities provided by the generous state.
Every day in the Gulf Times Community pages we see pictures of cultural events, but hardly any sports activities. I surely haven’t forgotten the international sports events being held in Qatar periodically. But they are to be watched upon and not for taking part.
For residents to participate in sports-related physical activities, I urge various sports clubs in the country to be more proactive. These sports clubs must open up to the public and encourage them to come and make use of their facilities.
In this regard, Aspire Zone is setting an example, for sure.
Aspire Zone not only maintains very good facilities but also encourages the public to make use of them.
As a person who uses the world-class tennis courts at Aspire Zone and have overcome health issues, I request residents to make their move to sports now. Better late than never.
Shabeer Ahamed
PO Box 37177
Doha
