Reinforcing its position as the leading destination for sport and sporting events in the Middle East, Qatar will set a new benchmark for international youth sport in the region when it hosts Doha Gymnasiade 2009, in less than four weeks.
The competition is set to be the first international multi-sport event to be held in Qatar since Doha Asian Games 2006. Additionally, the competition will be the largest event of its kind since the Gymnasiade was first introduced in 1974.
The Doha Gymnasiade Organising Committee (DGOC) yesterday also announced the finalisation of the event schedule. The schedule has been specifically drawn to ensure a spectator-friendly format, enabling students, sport enthusiasts and aspiring athletes to experience world-class youth sporting action. Entry for all spectators will be free of charge to encourage local youth and community participation in the games.
“In line with Qatar’s sporting pedigree, athletes and spectators will experience the ultimate Gymnasiade in the history of the competition,” said Khaleel al-Jabir, Director General of DGOC.
“In addition to being the largest event of its kind, in terms of facilities, marketing and presentation and sheer scale, it is also the first international multi-sport competition to be held in Qatar, since Doha hosted the Asian Games three years back. Doha Gymnasiade 2009 is also significant for athletes and the global sports community, as it is the only international youth competition of its kind to be held from now until the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
At the core of the competition, is of course, the spirit of unity and friendship that brings together people from all cultures in a celebration of humanity.
“In order to provide students optimum opportunity to benefit from this rare sporting event, we have specifically developed a schedule that enables optimum audience attendance and are also allowing free entry for all spectators. Again, we would like to use the competition as an occasion to not just promote sporting culture, but also bring the eclectic community within Qatar and the wider region closer in cheering the champions of tomorrow,” said al-Jabir.
“Here in Qatar, we already have a system in place wherein the best athletes are transformed into elite athletes through national associations and federations. These athletes and other international athletes will continue to have the opportunity to train in the same venues and facilities that they watch their heroes and icons perform in,” he added.
Scheduled to take place between December 7-12, 2009, the Gymnasiade is the only major school sport event of its kind that brings together junior level athletes from all over the world to compete in athletics, swimming and gymnastics.
The Doha edition of the event will see nearly 2,000 students between the ages of 13–18 from more than 45 countries around the globe gather together to participate in the 14th Gymnasiade.
The event is organised by the Doha Gymnasiade 2009 Organising Committee (DGOC) in close collaboration with the Supreme Education Council and the International School Sport Federation. |
