Schools Olympic Programme to focus on sports and investment

The Schools Olympic Programme (SOP) will explore the theme of “Sports and Investment” during the school year 2012-2013, it was decided at a meeting of the organising committee recently.Held annually as a collaborative effort of the Olympic Committee, Supreme Education Council, Qatar School Sport Association and Qatar Paralympics Committee, the Schools Olympic Programme aims to spread a culture of sports and to engage the entire community in an active and healthy lifestyle while retaining local values and traditions. This year’s Schools Olympic Programme partner is Enterprise Qatar, whose aim is to raise awareness about the business of sports and encourage Qatar’s younger generation to look to sports as both a healthy activity and for future careers. The meeting of the Organising Committee was led by Khalil al-Jaber, director of Sports Affairs, Qatar Olympic Committee. Al-Jaber confirmed that the committee began setting up its new strategy and work plan immediately following the fifth edition, which closed in June 2012. He said: “The Qatar Olympic Committee is developing various programmes for our sixth year and forming committees to handle the sports competitions and associated attractions and activities in coordination with Supreme Education Council and other partners.” “We are shaping this year’s competitions and various events to enhance the theme of ‘Sports and Investment’, while exploring ways to translate the public’s interest in sports into sports-related investment projects with financial returns and positive social impact.”The Schools Olympic Programme saw a 400% increase in student participation in its fifth year. Launched in 2007 with 7,000 students, enrollment reached over 20,000 students from 370 schools in the 2011- 2012 programme.