The National Sport Day programme developed by AZF and its member organisations – Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Logistics – encompasses a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Visitors looking to participate in activities on the outdoor pitches and open fields at Aspire Zone, whilst those who prefer indoor activity can sign up for any number of exciting activities which are to take place in Aspire Dome, the largest indoor multi-purpose dome in the world.
Amateurs, non-athletes and all members of the community can participate in the events. “AZF and its member organisations have some of the most experienced and highly regarded sporting professionals and specialists in the world. We’re continually looking for ways to draw on their experience and expertise for the benefit of all members of the community. National Sport Day is an ideal opportunity to spread awareness about the wide range of programmes and initiatives that we offer and which take place all year round. It is also the perfect time to give visitors a chance to trial some of the world's foremost technologies, and give them an insight about the life of a professional athlete by experiencing themselves the facilities and venues at Aspire Dome, ” said Mr. Abdullah Al Khater, a senior member of the organising committee for the National Sport Day.
Visitors to Aspire Zone can try a wide range of activities, including ‘Beat the Champion’, a series of “come and try” sport science tests.These include trials and tests in the 20M sprint, a throwing speed exercise, vertical jump, and 200M stationary bike race. Together, these test the endurance, stamina and agility of participants all under the watchful eye and close supervision of Aspire Academy’s renowned experts.
Teams from Aspire Academy will evaluate participants’ performance and compare it against top tier athletes including Olympic superstar, Usain Bolt and basketball legend Michael Jordan amongst others. Participants will be awarded certificates depending on their level of performance. The ‘Beat the Champion’ event will take place on the Indoor Athletics Track at Aspire Dome, starting from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Meanwhile, individuals and family members, particularly children, can enjoy Aspire Academy’s ’12 Goals’ activity, designed to teach participants’ basic climbing skills and football tricks. Organised under the supervision of Aspire Academy’s Education and Student Care Department, this activity will be held in the Gymnastics Hall in Aspire Dome, from 09:00 am to 3:00 pm.
A full size football pitch will also be ready for those who looking for some footballing action. The event, which is a part of ‘Football Performance & Science’ activities, comprises several football trials where players’ performance is monitored using the latest innovative technologies designed to measure the accuracy of shots on goal as well as players’ speed and agility. This will be held at the indoor football pitch at Aspire Dome, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Participants will also be able to take part in a set of multi-skill activities in athletics, squash, fencing and table tennis, all under the supervision of Aspire Academy’s Multi-Sport Skill Development Programme’s renowned coaches. These will take place in the Multi-Purpose Hall 1 and squash courts, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.
For women looking for comfortable and private training sessions, Aspire Academy’s Multi-Sport Skill Development Programme has allocated a dedicated space especially for them. This will include a range of activities such as gymnastics and basketball, situated in Multi-Purpose Hall 2 in Aspire Dome from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.
Participants taking part in National Sport Day will also be able to enjoy several fitness and gym classes, delivered by coaches from Aspire Active from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm in the Volleyball Hall and Men’s Fitness Area in Aspire Dome.
Another highlight of the National Sport Day celebrations will be the final matches and awarding ceremonies of the Aspire Football Tournament. More than 350 young players from the Aspire Academy and Qatar Football Association’s registered teams are expected to participate. The tournament will be held on Aspire Zone’s outdoor pitches 3, 4 and 5.
This year’s celebrations include more than 28 activities and will be taken place across Aspire Park, the outdoor pitches and Aspire Dome. Events to take place on pitch 10 include the popular annual ‘5,000 Steps Journey’ and ‘Fun Run.’ New additions to this year’s programme include ‘Nordic Walk’ and Kendo demonstrations and other group activities friends and families can enjoy together. The Foundation is also organising the ‘Aspire Staff Walk’ for its employees around Aspire Park.
AZF is also hosting the activities by more than 18 public and private sector entities in which the employees of the organizations as well as the general public are expected to participate. Qatar Football Association and El-Jaish Sports Club are two of these organizations.
More information about AZF's programmes and events is available on its the website (lifeinaspire.qa/NSD ), social media channels, or through the ‘Life in Aspire’ smartphone app.
