Mohamed al-Khubazi. Right: Mohamed al-Khubazi, Sara Hamdi Masoud and Abdulrahman Abdulkader are all excited about their participation in the National Sport Day.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Qatar’s Para Champions Abdulrahman Abdulkader, Sara Hamdi Masoud and Mohamed al-Khubazi, have hailed the Paralympic activity that is taking place in the National Sport Day Sports Village. The Qatar Paralympic Committee have set up an athletics track in the Village and the athletes encourage the public to come down, join in and learn more about Paralympic sport and the activities available in Qatar for people with a disability.
Adbulrahman, Sara and Mohamed between them won five medals - three gold and two bronze - at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea. With the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships taking place in Doha in October this year, they believe that this is an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of Paralympic sport in Qatar and across the region.
Speaking from the Sports Village, Sara said: “Winning two gold medals at the 2014 Asian Para Games was one of the best moments of my life. This came after many years of hard work and dedication and I was so pleased that all the hard work paid off. Para-athletics has changed my life and I am so glad that I made the decision to get involved.
“I encourage everyone with a disability to try paralympic sports and National Sport Day is a fantastic opportunity to come down to the Sports Village and find out more about what is on offer. I want more people with a disability to realise that sport is for them and that it is the perfect way to raise self-esteem, increase confidence, learn new skills and stay fit and active.”
Doha will host the IPC Athletics World Championships from 22-31 October 2015 in the 12,000 capacity Qatar Sports Club’s Suhaim Bin Hamam Stadium. The competition will feature around 1,300 athletes from 90 countries and will be one of the last major competitions before the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Qatar aims to use its hosting of the event to increase opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport, to raise the profile of disability sport and to spread awareness across Qatar and the whole of the Middle East.
Speaking ahead of the IPC Athletics World Championships, Adbulrahman said: “I cannot wait to compete in the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha in October. Winning two gold medals for Qatar at the 2014 Asian Para Games was an amazing experience but competing in one of the biggest para sports events in the world in front of a home crowd will be a dream come true.
“The World Championships will be a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about para-athletics and disability sport in Qatar and across the whole of our region. I really hope that I will inspire others to realise that being disabled is not a negative thing and that you can strive and achieve so many things in spite of your disability.”
Since its inception in 2012, National Sport Day sees innumerable activities across Qatar for all ages and aims to give the people of Qatar an opportunity to take part in new activities and kick start a future of healthy living. The Sports Village is once again the main hub of activity in Doha, ensuring the whole of Qatar can celebrate sport together in an electric, festival atmosphere. It is open every day from 3pm to 10pm daily until National Sport Day on 10th February when it will be open from 8am-10pm.
In addition to the Paralympic Committee, over 10 National Federations are offering free activities and entertainment for every age and fitness level. The public are encouraged to pass by the Sports Village on National Sport day and try as many activities as possible. Some of Qatar’s sporting stars, including Sara and Adbulrahman, will be on hand to demonstrate their skills and pass on training tips.
Speaking about National Sport Day, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, Head of Media at the QOC, said: “The Qatar Olympic Committee Sport Village is bigger and better than ever with entertainment and exciting sporting activities for everyone. Our aim is to introduce as many people as possible to a whole range of sports with demonstrations and skill sessions. This way we hope to get all of Qatar trying new sports, meeting new people and taking steps towards leading an active and healthy lifestyle.”
