AZF implements safety measures for NSD

Aspire Zone Foundation has finished its final preparations for National Sport Day, which takes place tomorrow, and will host a variety of sporting activities suitable for community members of all ages and needs, whether old or young, male or female.Aspire’s National Sport Day activities has drawn increasing number of people over the years.As part of the safety measures for this year’s edition, AZF will be closing their internal car parks, distribute water bottles, providing checkpoints for emergencies and first, and water cabinets.With an intention to enable families and friends to have a fun and active day in a safe and family-friendly outdoor environment, AZF will keep its indoor parking spaces closed to the public from 3am until 3pm on National Sport Day to ensure that visitors, particularly children, can get involved, safe from the risks posed by moving vehicles.Aspire Zone Foundation will also provide water bottles free of charge, to ensure respite from dehydration, which can cause cramps and fatigue.AZF has also recommended that visitors pack healthy snacks and fruits to stay nourished throughout the day. For larger meals with families and friends, all the restaurants and coffee shops in Aspire Zone will be open to the public as usual.To prepare for any sudden emergencies, AZF will have five checkpoints across Aspire Zone at which ambulances and first aid will be available.For convenience, visitors can also use Aspire Zone Foundation’s water cabinets, which are placed across Aspire Park and near Aspire Dome.‘Kendo’ demonstrationsAZF, in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Doha, have also finished setting up for the ‘Kendo’ demonstrations, set to take place from 9am to noon on pitch (10). Kendo is one of Japan’s oldest martial arts and involves participants competing using bamboo swords. Visitors keen to try ‘Kendo’ will be able to do so under the supervision of highly trained professionals from Aspire Zone Foundation.Speaking in an interview about the sport, Japanese ambassador to Qatar, Seiichi Otsuka, said, “Kendo’s popularity has been on the rise in Qatar in recent years. The Hayabusa Kendo Dojo club was founded by an enthusiastic Qatari young gentleman who developed passion for this sport. Currently the club has over 20 members actively practising kendo, ranging from 7 to 50 years old and spread over 10 different nationalities including Qataris.”He added: “Like all Japanese sports that encompass physical, spiritual and moral dimensions with a focus of self-improvement, fulfilment or personal growth, Kendo builds up confidence in self-defence, strengthens the physical body, requires respect even between opponents, and demands self-discipline.”Speaking about National Sport Day, Otsuka said, “Qatar is one of the few nations to dedicate a day for sports, which reflects the country’s aspiration for a better and healthier future for its people. I am very impressed to know about the Qatar National Sport Day in which the local community is encouraged to acquire a healthier lifestyle while enjoying the various entertaining activities going on around the country.“Qatar has proven its strong international presence in sports, becoming an important hub for sports events.“We believe that the World Cup 2022 is a great opportunity for closer cooperation between Qatar and Japan, especially in the preparatory stages, as the Tokyo Olympics are to be hosted in Japan in 2020. These two historical big events, which are of international significance, will be another motivating factor to bring both nations to closely cooperate, and to exchange knowledge and expertise in order to ensure their success as hosts.”