Winning students along with the minister of health, dean of WCMC–Q and other distinguished guests. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
Fifteen Independent and private schools took part in the knowledge-based physical competition ‘The Challenge’ as part of the ‘Your Health First Campaign’ organised by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) at the Aspire Dome yesterday. This was one of the events of the first phase of the campaign launched in June 2012 that runs for five years.
HE Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani, Minister of Public Health and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH); Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q; representatives from supporting organisations such as Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil Qatar Inc, Vodafone Qatar and Oxy Qatar were present on the occasion.
The participating schools, selected by the Supreme Education Council, fielded a team of 10 students who participated in a series of fun and educational games. The students also held an exhibition on the theme of healthy eating. Nearly 200 posters were on display at the exhibition which were judged by members of WCMC-Q faculty and the Supreme Council of Health. Hamada al-Sayed Ghazi of Hamza Bin Abdul Muttalib School was awarded first place for his poster on the dangers of smoking. Dana Hassan Badar, of Al Bayan Girls Preparatory School, came second and Jihad al- Idrissi, of English Modern School, third. The first place winner got an iPad while the other two got a mini iPad each.
Speaking on the occasion, HE al-Qahtani said that the five-year campaign was aimed to educate both the Qatari and expatriate communities about healthy lifestyles. He explained: “’The Challenge’ aims to encourage schoolchildren and youth to opt for healthy lifestyles and this is extremely important for the sustainable development of this nation.”
He added that SCH had actively supported the campaign since it was launched in June 2012 as it significantly contributed to achieving Qatar’s National Health Strategy (NHS) 2011-2016. He also applauded the partnership and co-operation between private and public sectors in Qatar.
Dr Javaid Sheikh said: “’The Challenge’ has always been about educating our young people and their families about the facts pertaining to a healthy lifestyle, but doing so in an enjoyable way. Today, there has been lots of laughter, lots of fun and lots of exercise but I believe that every student has also learned a little more about the importance of staying healthy.”
He added that the message would spread across Qatar to create a healthy population that would contribute in the future to a knowledge-based economy.
The physical fitness event saw lots of competitive action as the teams raced against each other in a series of activities. Many of these involved dressing up in costumes that are related to science and healthy lifestyles.
The schools that took part in the event were Omar Bin Khattab Preparatory, Lebanese School, English Modern School, International School of Choueifat, Al Yarmouk School, Cambridge School, Qatar Academy, Al Jazeera Academy, Lycee Bonaparte, Doha British School, AbuBakr Assedeeq Boys Preparatory, Al Bayan Girls Preparatory, Hamza Bin Abdul Muttalib School, Abu Obaida School and Amna Bint Wahab Preparatory School for Girls.
AbuBakr Assedeeq Preparatory School won among the boys schools while International School of Choueifat came first among the girls schools. Each member of the winning teams received iPad minis. Lycee Bonaparte and Abu Obaida School came second and third in the boys’ event while Lycee Bonaparte and Cambridge School came second and third in the girls’ category. Members of the winning teams received medals while all participants received a certificate of appreciation. ‘The Challenge’ will be an annual event hereafter with the participation of more schools.