State institutions participate in Sport Day activities

State institutions participated in the 12th edition of the National Sport Day (NSD) activities held under the slogan "The Choice is Yours".

The NSD, which is held annually on Tuesdays of the second week of February, in response to Amiri Decision No. 80 of 2011, sees ministries and other government agencies, public bodies and institutions organizing sporting events in which workers and their families participate, to achieve awareness of the importance of sport and its role in the lives of individuals and societies, and to make it a lifestyle that is practiced throughout the year, as sport contributes to the development of life skills with its cultural and social dimensions.

Among the most prominent bodies that participated today in these events are the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development and Family, and the National Service Academy, with joint activities organized at the headquarters of the National Service Academy (Miqdam Camp), in the presence of HE Minister of Justice Masoud bin Mohammed Al Ameri, and HE Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Staff Lieutenant General (Pilot) Salem bin Hamad bin Aqeel Al Nabit amid the wide participation of employees of the participating authorities and their affiliated centers.

HE Minister of Justice said that this year's NSD carries deep meanings and connotations that reflect the wise forward-looking vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, when His Highness issued Amiri Decision No. 80 of 2011, to make Tuesdays of the second week of February of each year a sport day for the state, explaining that participation in the NSD comes after the country's historic and exceptional hosting of the first-ever World Cup in the region and the Arab world, which embodies the ambitious goals of the Amiri decision to organize the country's NSD.

The participating bodies held joint sports activities, especially establishing a healthy weight-measuring corner, and providing health and nutritional advice to the participants provided by specialists in the field of nutritional health, in addition to organizing large-scale sports competitions, which included walking, football games, tug-of-war, table tennis, and athletics that won the admiration of the audience.

The activities witnessed the embodiment of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's rational vision to build the country and the citizen, and implement national development plans on sound and balanced bases, as sport is one of the main pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030, which is a distinct and unique vision in its representations and reflections.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's rational vision reflects the leadership's interest in building the Qatari citizens, taking care of their health and developing them intellectually, mentally and healthily, and establishing an integrated sports infrastructure to serve the community, and strengthening the country's position globally, which was crowned by the impressive success of the state's organization of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The joint activities of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Justice, the National Service Academy and their affiliated centers were held at the headquarters of the National Service Academy for its integrated sports structure that targets all age groups of employees and their families, and various groups of society, including the elderly and people with special needs to embody the NSD's objectives.
HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi said that all kinds of sports have many benefits for every human, including physical, psychological, and mental health.

In a press statement on the occasion of NSD, Her Excellency noted that sport plays a vital role in developing students' characteristics and skills, such as perseverance, flexibility, and discipline, calling on student children to make sport an integral part of their daily lives for its positive impact on their health, life, and social skills in the short and long term.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education organized several different sports activities in the Old Doha Port Park, with the participation of HE the Minister, officials of the Ministry, schools, students and their parents, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, from different ages and groups of Qatari society.

HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education honored the winners of various sports competitions and activities from students and schools of all educational levels, which were organized by the ministry for the NSD.

HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi stressed the NSD importance in the life of society, calling for making sports activities of all kinds daily practices for their physical, mental, health, and psychological benefits, especially for student children.

In remarks to reporters on the occasion of the Ministry's participation in the NSD activities, Al Nuaimi said that the Ministry attaches great importance to sports activities as an important part of a student's life, adding that the education sector provides the students with science, information, and knowledge and also must provide them with sports activities because physical activity is vital for a healthy life.

The General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA), in cooperation with the United Development Company, participated in the 2023 NSD sporting events, which were Tuesday in the Pearl district, in an initiative targeting the GRSIA staff and their families, as well as the residents and visitors of Pearl island.

The events included a walking marathon, fitness exercises, and challenging games, in addition to some fun activities for children, and other activities aimed at promoting the healthy patterns of the participants, and urging them to adopt sound sports practices.

President of the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority Turki bin Mohammed Al Khater said that sport is an essential pillar for positively developing the human being, adding that NSD is an opportunity to consolidate these cultures in society and develop an awareness of the concept of preventive health.

He called on everyone to make sport a way of life and not a passing annual event to build a society full of vitality and activity and consolidate a generation capable of continuing the path of success that the country is witnessing at all levels to serve its development strategies and visions for sustainable development.
In turn, the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) organized various activities on the occasion of National Sport Day (NSD), along the waterfront and Katara Beach, with the wide participation of several ministries, government and private agencies and institutions, and a wide public attendance.

Among the most prominent entities that participated in these events were the Qatar Football Association (QFA) in cooperation with Qatar Shell, the Qatar Rugby and Hockey Committee, Hamad Medical Corporation, the Ministry of Sports and Youth's Al Reyada Girls Center, Doha Bank and Qatar Insurance Company.

Organizing Committee Chair for NSD activities in Katara Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Tamimi said in a press statement that Katara has become a favorite destination for sports enthusiasts on NSD, especially for families, for both citizens and multinational residents, explaining that this is due to Katara's multitude of facilities, vast spaces, as well as its waterfront and beach allowing for all kinds of sports in a beautiful family atmosphere, stressing the organizing committees keenness on good organization, and providing comprehensive services to the public such as providing transport vehicles for visitors, especially for the elderly and people with special needs, in addition to providing security, health and safety services.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Katara's information director Salem Al Marri said that Katara becomes a distinguished destination on such occasions, due to its facilities and services, adding that Katara aims every year to bring something new, such as this years events which include innovative sports activities and new participating entities, working in sports, awareness, or entertainment, making Katara's program on the NSD a comprehensive one.

Al Marri thanked the public who attend NSD activities and events year after year and remarked that more than 20 governmental, sports and private agencies took part, including a number of ministries, official bodies, sports federations, and health centers, in addition to private companies.

In addition, QFA, in cooperation with Qatar Shell, set up a variety of sporting games, activities and events for the family in Katara, in addition to games suitable for people with special needs, in addition to setting football fields, together with a theater.

The activities organized by QFA and Qatar Shell aimed at raising community awareness of the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, especially in the country's NSD.

In this context, QFA Marketing and Communication Director Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari said in a statement to QNA that QFA is keen to participate in the activities of the NSD, with the aim of motivating employees and the public to practice physical activity and maintain their health and fitness, indicating that QFA's organizing NSD activities come to promote a culture of sports for all.

In turn, the Qatar Women's Sports Committee, headed by Lolwa Al Marri organized several activities and events on the occasion of the NSD, amidst large participation of members and players of national teams and families who were keen to enjoy practicing sports in a family atmosphere and to benefit from the modern sports facilities in the hall.

Sports activities varied between football, volleyball, gymnastics, volleyball, athletics, recreational games for youngsters, walking, and others.

Qatar Women's Sport Committee President expressed her happiness at the success of the Qatar Women's Sport Committee's participation in the NSD, saying that the Committee is an integral part of the state's social fabric since women make up half of society and are also interested in sports and a healthy lifestyle, indicating that NSD aims to achieve a series of goals, most notably raising awareness, promoting and consolidating a culture of sports.

Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, participated in the NSD activities organized by the QF in Education City.

The QF revived the activities of this day to encourage individuals of all ages and abilities to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle. The QCDC took advantage of this occasion to present a number of interesting and appropriate physical and mental activities for children of all ages, during which they learned a number of skills, such as teamwork and interaction with their peers, and the importance of a healthy life and its positive repercussions on the individual's professional future.

In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on this occasion, Director of the QCDC Abdullah Al Mansoori stressed that the NSD is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the importance of sport and healthy life, pointing out that sport is able to bring people together, break barriers, and develop feelings of belonging to the community.

Sport is a tool for building bridges and establishing relationships, and enhancing the spirit of teamwork, and includes valuable skills in the workplace and during a persons career as well, he said, expressing his hope that the QCDC will be a source of inspiration in the education process about the importance of preserving their physical health by adopting a healthy lifestyle, not just for one day a year, but for a lifetime.

He indicated that the center's participation in this year's NSD activities reflects the QF's efforts to build an active and healthy society, and its constant endeavor to encourage individuals to make healthy life decisions, and to include physical activity in their daily lives, as the QF occupies a leading position in raising awareness of the importance of sports and physical activity as part of its mission in community development, spreading health culture and values of social responsibility.

Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) participated in this year's NSD activities through a range of activities, which reflect its commitment to support sports and the efforts made to transform it into a way of life, in line with Doha's transformation into a capital of global sports.

A large number of the bank's employees were keen to participate in the activities announced by the Qatar Central Bank, which included a bicycle parade on Doha Corniche, and a number of other sporting events in Souq Waqif Park, including football, volleyball, tennis, and tug-of-war.

On this occasion, CEO of Qatar International Islamic Bank Abdulbasit Ahmed Al Shaibei said that this year's NSD comes with a different flavor, after the great success achieved by the State of Qatar in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, a success that was based on HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's vision, guidance and unlimited support.

The success achieved by the State of Qatar at all levels in organizing the World Cup will remain a great legacy from which the future generations draw pride, lessons, determination and self-affirmation, and provide their best for the sake of the advancement of Qatar and its people, he said, highlighting that the State of Qatar has turned into a global sports destination for all from worldwide, and in various sports. Qatar's successes and organizational and sports capabilities have been proven, and its facilities that follow sports standards, and comply with sustainability standards are examples of development, he added.

Al Shaibei explained that QIIB is always keen, based on its strategy in the field of social responsibility and community service, to be in harmony with community activities that provide added value, foremost of which are various sports activities that represent and provide great positive values for the individual and society, such as cooperation, determination, pride, determination, tolerance, empathy, increased productivity, and much more.

He highlighted that the Qatar National Vision 2030 laid down the basic principles for what we find today in terms of the prosperity of sports in the country. The main goal of the Qatar National Vision 2030 is the human being, and achieving his aspirations and needs according to the best standards and principles, Al Shaibei added, highlighting that the presence of a successful, productive, healthy and fit person means building a strong and cohesive society capable of giving, building and developing the country.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal), in cooperation with the Qatar Basketball Federation, also participated in the 2023 NSD activities at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center Park, by organizing a number of sports and recreational activities for the parks visitors, its employees and their families.

On this occasion, HE Chairman of the Public Works Authority Dr. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, confirmed that Ashghal's participation in the NSD is not limited to organizing sports and entertainment activities only, but rather goes beyond that by providing an integrated infrastructure that helps the masses to practice sports throughout the year, noting the set up of many parks that have various sports facilities, including game areas, sports equipment, pedestrian, running and cycling paths, in addition to constructing 2,131 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths across the country, which have contributed to changing the lifestyle in Qatar.

For his part, Public Relations & Communications Dept. Manager Abdulla Saad Al Saad, said that Ashghal participates in the NSD by organizing various activities at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center park, such as basketball and cycling, in addition to walking, in addition to providing two playgrounds for Padel for adults and one for children, as well as a number of fitness equipment, with reference to the creation of a play area for children to spend quality time with their parents.

Al Saad thanked the Qatar Basketball Association for its constant cooperation with Ashghal in all sporting events, and for the success of Ashghal's participation in the country's NSD.

President of Qatar Basketball Federation Mohammed Saad Almeghaiseeb expressed his happiness in cooperating with Ashghal in all the sporting events it organizes or participates in, praising the good organization of the 2023 NSD activities.

On the sideline of QNSD2023 , the winners of 'Inta Gadha' competition launched annually by the Public Relations and Comunication Department among employees, have been honored with the aim of raising fitness level and reaching ideal weight.