Qatar Airways is cheering on Team Qatar athletes as the official airline partner of the largest-ever Qatari Olympic team. The men and women will compete in beach volleyball, equestrian, boxing, swimming, athletics, weightlifting, shooting, judo, handball and table tennis.
As the official airline of Team Qatar the carrier is also sponsoring Bayt Qatar, a hospitality house designed to provide a Qatari cultural element to the events.
Bayt Qatar’s venue is designed to “bring the soul of Qatar to the heart of Rio”, according to the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). Located in Casa Daros, a former museum, the venue will provide a special Garangao night for children, featuring an outdoor souq and special exhibitions and film screenings. Qatar Airways will also host a photo corner and booth where guests can experience the airline’s hospitality.
A social media campaign promoting the QOC’s presence is currently running using the hashtag #YallaQatar, and led by the president of the QOC HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani. The Committee is running the social media campaign so that Qatar residents can post their encouragement to the country’s athletes and share their thoughts about the competition.
Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar al-Baker, said: “We are so proud to be supporting the Qatar national team and to be present in Rio.
“As the national airline of the State of Qatar, we are committed to growth and development and supporting the communities in which we serve through various initiatives including sport, culture, education. The entire airline group will be cheering for Team Qatar and wishes them well every step of the way.”
Commenting on QOC’s partnership with Qatar Airways, Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, secretary general of the Qatar Olympic Committee said: “It is a very exciting time for Olympic sport in Qatar and we are thrilled to have such a supportive partner join us ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Our Team Qatar athletes have been working incredibly hard to ensure they are in the best shape of their lives and this support will give them a timely boost in the final stages of their training. We hope that the whole nation will join Qatar Airways in getting behind our athletes and celebrate their incredible achievements in the true spirit of Olympism.”
Qatar Airways Cargo has also supported the Qatar Olympic team, transporting over 12 tonnes of equipment and other specialised items.
A Facebook contest is currently offering one lucky winner the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Rio to watch Team Qatar at the Olympic Games.
Fans are encouraged to like and comment on the Team Qatar video on the QOC’s Facebook page and to insert the hashtag ?#YallaQatar for the chance to win a round-trip pair of Business Class tickets from Doha to Brazil flying with Qatar Airways, as well as hotel accommodation for five nights in a five-star hotel, two Samsung mobile phones with an international data package, tickets to the Rio Olympic Games to cheer on Team Qatar and unlimited access to Bayt Qatar.
The winner of the Facebook contest will be selected at random today.
Handball player Abdulrazzaq Murad of Qatar poses ahead of the Rio Olympics. (Photo by Konstantinos Zagkas/Qatar Olympic Committee)
