Arab Games mascot unveiled

Pure-bred Arabian horse named ‘Al Wathnan’ will be the mascot for the 2011 Arab Games to be held in Doha from December 9-23. The mascot was launched in a glittering function at the Qatar Equestrian Federation in Doha yesterday. The mascot unveiling ceremony was attended by HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani (president of Arab Games Organising Committee), Khalid al-Mohannadi (executive director), Abdulrahman al-Dosari (marketing director) and Abdulla Youssef al-Mulla (official spokesman of the Arab Games 2011 and Media & Broadcasting director) in addition to QOC directors, Arab Games directors, ambassadors, NOC’s delegates, Federation presidents and representatives from event sponsors - Qtel and Ezdan real estate.The Arabian horse was chosen as the mascot due to its strength, agility, movement, speed and determination. The name Wathnan is derived from ‘Al Wathna’ a species of pure Arabian horse. Horses have been an integral part of the Arab community at all stages and such relationship was characterised by great warmth and understanding. The Arabs were well known for their horse riding skills and the horse usage in festive activities. Speaking at the occasion, al-Dosari said: “The launching ceremony was a great success and it coincided with the Chefs de Mission seminar here in Doha. This also shows the ongoing preparations of AGOC.” Al-Dosari affirmed that Qatar’s commitment to organise an exceptional Arab Games would set new standards of success in the Arab sports record. The official mascot of the Arab Games 2011 named: ‘Wathnan’ will be contributing to the promotion of Arab Games 2011.He also stressed that Qatar has made all arrangements and preparations to create history in the Arab Games and the marketing department, in particular, has planned activities and programmes including schools visits, special programmes in public places and malls, in addition to booklets about the mascot for children and adults.