Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has announced that it has completed preparations for the seventh National Sport Day (NSD) celebration, due to take place on Tuesday.

In a statement on Sunday, AZF said more than 20 sporting activities are “expected to attract thousands of community members of all ages and physical capabilities, as with every year, who are keen to take part in Aspire Zone’s activities”.

Whether attending alone or with family and friends, visitors can take part in Aspire Zone’s activities at its outdoor and indoor facilities from 7.30am to 4pm.

* Safety First

AZF’s National Sport Day activities draw an increasing number of people each year and, because AZF places safety at the core of its values, the organisation said it has never recorded a single incident during the past seven NSD celebrations. As with every year, AZF has taken several steps to ensure that visitors remain safe while enjoying themselves. These steps include:

1. AZF’s internal car parks to be closed all day: National Sport Day is an opportunity for families and friends to have a fun and active day in a safe and family-friendly environment. Given that AZF will be hosting outdoor activities, the organisation will keep its indoor parking spaces closed to the public from 3am on NSD to ensure that visitors, particularly children, can get involved safe from the risks posed by moving vehicles.

Aspire Zone’s visitors can park their cars in the parking areas near Villaggio, Al Furousiya Street or in the area near Aspetar Hospital. Shuttle buses will be provided to pick up visitors from the Blue Building near the Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar opposite Aspetar Hospital starting from 7am and drop them off near Outdoor Pitch 10.

2. Tips for staying hydrated throughout the day in Aspire Zone: For convenience, visitors can use Aspire Zone Foundation’s water cabinets, which are distributed across Aspire Park and near Aspire Dome. Dehydration can cause cramps and fatigue, so it is important to drink water before, during and after exercise to regulate body temperature and lubricate the joints. Staying hydrated also helps transport nutrients around the body, ensuring that participants have the energy to perform at the highest level. Aspire Zone Foundation also recommends that visitors pack healthy snacks and fruits to stay nourished throughout the day.

3. Seven checkpoints for emergencies and first aid: To prepare for any sudden emergencies, AZF will distribute seven checkpoints across its precinct where ambulances and first aid will be available.

* ‘Your Ultimate Guide’ to NSD in Aspire Zone

This year’s NSD celebration in Aspire Zone, spread across its world-class outdoor and indoor facilities, is expected to be one of the biggest in the country. AZF has said it is organising various thrilling sporting activities for community members of all ages and physical capabilities, scheduled as follows:

1. Outdoor activities

Fun Run: The Fun Run race, one of the most popular events in AZF’s NSD programme in previous years, is back by popular demand and will be open to all members of the community, including men, women, families, children and persons with special needs. The race comprises a 3km course around Khalifa International Stadium. Registration for the race will begin at 6.30am and last until 7.30am. The race will start at 8am in the designated area between Khalifa International Stadium and The Torch Doha. It is expected to finish at 11am.

Opening Ceremony (Warm-up): Four trainers from Aspire Active will mark the start of this year’s NSD activities with a series of ‘Step Choreography’ and ‘Be Strong’ demonstrations, followed by a 15-minute warm-up exercise in Aspire Park, near the kids’ playground, from 8am to 8.30am.

Children-only activities: Activities organised especially for children on Pitch 10, which overlooks the road between Aspire Zone and Villaggio, from 9am to 3pm include Boot Camp and Telematch competitions, 5-a-side tournaments, football, basketball, volleyball, martial arts and slacklining games. Face-painting, crafting and painting, maize cones, special gym activities, a kids’ football competition, pull the rope, jumping sack competitions, kids’ yoga sessions and a coloured ball box competition will also be set up on Pitch 10 from 8.30am to 12noon. Children can also enjoy pony rides, made available by the Racing and Equestrian Club, on the sand pitches behind Hyatt Plaza.

Dodgeball: AZF has teamed up this year with the World Dodgeball Association to introduce Qatar’s first-ever dodgeball competitions on Aspire Zone’s Pitch 10. Dodgeball joins the wide range of activities that visitors have come to expect from AZF. It’s similar to a handball game in which players in two teams try to throw balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves. At the start of the dodgeball event, from 9am until 10am, the World Dodgeball Association and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, will announce the official launch of the Qatar Dodgeball Federation. Dodgeball activities will continue until 1pm.

Japanese Kendo: In collaboration with the Doha Kendo Club, AZF is bringing back the Japanese Kendo demonstrations. Kendo (Way of the Sword) is one of the world’s oldest martial arts that found its roots in Japan. Visitors will not only get to watch these exciting performances, but will also be able to take part in them from 9am to 12noon on Aspire Zone’s football Pitch 10.

Nordic Walk: The Nordic Walk will take place from 11am to 1pm at Aspetar’s West Wing. Nordic Walking is a form of exercise whereby participants use especially designed poles. Thanks to its low-impact nature, the activity can be enjoyed by non-athletes of all ages. There will be a limited number of walking poles and they will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis. The Nordic Walk has been growing in popularity in recent years thanks to its many benefits, as it delivers total body fitness, increases cardio fitness, burns calories and activates 90% of the body’s muscles. It is a ‘total body’ version of walking that can be enjoyed by non-athletes as a healthy physical activity. Thanks to its low-impact nature, the sport is especially useful for the elderly and anyone with knee problems.

‘Namat’ health tips: Namat, for a healthy lifestyle, one of Aspire Zone’s initiatives, is organising three sessions across Aspire Zone to spread awareness on the importance of physical activity and health. Aspire’s experts and times to answer questions and best practice tips on physical activity and public health. They will be placed in two stations from 8am to 11am, the first station will be near Burgeri Restaurant and the second near Aspire Lake. The third station will be set up from 11am to 1pm in the area near The Torch Doha.

2. Indoor activities at Aspire Dome

Challenge yourself and discover your potential at Aspire Dome: Aspire Dome will house a variety of activities for families and friends. The ‘Challenge the Champion’ activity, comprising sprinting, hammer throwing, vertical jumps and simulated bike races, will be organised from 10am to 4pm at Aspire Dome’s Indoor Athletics Track, while the ‘Football Performance and Science Activities’ - which feature football skills demonstrations - will take place on the Indoor Football Pitch from 10am to 4pm.

A set of entertaining multi-skill activities will be organised for little boys from 10am to 4pm in Multipurpose Hall 01, while young girls can enjoy racket sports and gymnastic circuit activities in Multipurpose Hall 02 from 10am to 1pm. A series of ‘Teamwork Challenges’ that foster teamwork and co-operation will also be organised from 10am to 3pm at the Gymnastics Hall.

Aspire Football Tournament: Another highpoint of the NSD celebrations are the final matches and awarding ceremonies of the Aspire Football Tournament. The tournament involves young players representing Qatar Football Association’s registered teams, and will be held on Aspire Zone’s outdoor pitches 3, 4 and 5 from 9am until 12noon.

* Local entities choose Aspire Zone as their preferred NSD celebration venue

AZF also extends support and utilises its outdoor and indoor world-class facilities to host various sporting activities organised by more than 22 local government and private entities, who have chosen Aspire Zone as their NSD partner this year.

Some of the local entities taking part include the Qatar Olympic Committee, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, National Human Rights Committee, Q-Post, Muntajat, Qatar Primary Materials Company, Qatar Charity, Alrayyan TV, Racing and Equestrian Club, Dolphin Energy, Sports Corner, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Company – Nissan Qatar, Alfardan, ENSRV Group, Behavioural Healthcare Centre, Kids Academy, Al Jameel Medical Centre and Gulf Laboratory & Radiology, Ideal Solutions – Qatar & UK, KEO International Consultants, Azadea, North Oil, Siemens and Astad.

More information about NSD activities in Aspire Zone can be found on the ‘Life in Aspire’ mobile app, the website, http://www.lifeinaspire.qa, or through its social media channels.

Emergency contacts

In cases of emergency, visitors can contact the numbers provided below:

Department              Phone number

Security                      66593023

Ambulance                 33383511

Missing children        4413 8295

Safety Department     5551 2484

Lost and Found          4413 8295

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