Qatar’s diplomatic, consular and representative missions abroad organised a wide range of sporting activities on the occasion of Qatar National Sport Day, which saw great participation and interest.
In Washington, DC the Qatar embassy in the US hosted an event to mark National Sport Day at FedExField Stadium in co-operation with the Redskins team and the Redskins Charitable Foundation.
A large number of school students from Maryland and Washington participated in the event, which was attended by team president of the Washington Redskins Bruce Allen and a number of current players, including Vernon Davis, Josh Norman and Chris Thompson, as well as other veteran players and members of the team’s executive committee.
In a speech on the occasion, Allen praised Qatar’s initiative in devoting a special day for sports and for its support for all sports activities that are concerned with the formation of the new generation.
Allen highlighted the role of the Redskins Charitable Foundation, noting that everybody is engaging in this day to support sports, health and wellness. He expressed pride at being able to help children from a large number of schools in the counties around Washington to adopt a new and healthier lifestyle.
Allen also expressed admiration for the designs of the Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums after he saw examples displayed in the inner hall of FedExField. He noted that members of the executive committee were also impressed by the designs.
On his part, Qatar’s ambassador to the US Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani thanked all officials, sports leaderships and students for taking part in Qatar’s National Sport Day celebrations and the activities organised by the Qatari embassy on the occasion.
The ambassador underlined that Qatar’s decision to devote a national day for sports in 2011 stems from its belief in the strength and effectiveness of sports in gathering people and its positive impact on the quality of life of individuals.
He added that Qatar is proud to be among the few countries around the world and the first in the Mena region to announce a National Sport Day.
Sheikh Meshal said sports is at the forefront and heart of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy aiming at consolidating its national identity, investing in human capital and building a flexible society guided by values inherent in sports such as commitment, work ethics, self-respect, honesty and the pursuit of self-excellence.
On his part, deputy chairman of the Qatari mission to the US Dr Hamad Mohamed Hussein al-Muftah stressed the importance of National Sport Day as it reflects Qatar’s attention to sports and the youth.
He noted that the embassy in Washington celebrated the Sport Day in co-operation with the Redskins team and the Redskins Charitable Foundation, with the participation of more than 500 children and students from different schools.
The students who attended the activities took part in various sports and physical exercises. At the end of the day, a number of students with special needs joined the activities accompanied by sports specialists to help them take part in a number of games and display skills.
The event was also an opportunity for students to learn about Qatar’s culture. Through a special pavilion, the students discovered Souq Waqif, which tourists visit to learn about Qatar’s heritage and culture. Qatar Foundation International also hosted a pavilion to introduce the audience on how to learn the Arabic language.
In New York, Qatar’s consulate general organised sports events that saw the participation of consul general Nasser Allenqawi, the diplomatic staff and employees. The programme included a football match.
Also, in Los Angeles, the consulate general organised a special event that was attended by consul general Khalid bin Yousuf al-Sada and diplomats.
The event included football for Qatari citizens in Los Angeles. Hundreds of children from Los Angeles schools were introduced to Qatar’s culture and the importance of the Sport Day in educating the community on the benefits of engaging in sports in daily life.
Meanwhile, in Tbilisi, the Qatar embassy in Georgia organised a special event to mark National Sport Day. Diplomats and embassy staff took part in the event, which included various sports activities.
In Bamako, Qatar’s embassy in Mali hosted an event that was attended by ambassador Ahmed bin Abdulrahman al-Sunaidi, Mali’s Minister of Sports Jean Claude Sidibe, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Mali and citizens.
In Istanbul, Turkey, Qatar’s consulate general organised an event that was attended by diplomats and consular officials. The activities included a football game.
In Tokyo, Qatar’s embassy in Japan organised activities that were attended by acting charge d’affaires at the embassy Abdullah bin Jassim al-Zeyara, second secretary Rashid bin Mubarak al-Khater and staff. The event included several sports activities, including walking.
In Mbabane, the embassy in Eswatini organised a number of sports activities with the participation of charge d’affaires Ahmed bin Tajer Mohamed al-Sada and embassy staff.
In Porto-Novo, the embassy in Benin organised a sports event with the participation of the diplomatic and administrative staff of the embassy. The programme included a football match.
In Nicosia, the Qatar embassy in Cyprus organised a sporting event that was attended by ambassador Sultan bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud and diplomatic and embassy staff.
In Karachi, Pakistan, Qatar’s consulate general organised a sporting event that was attended by consul general Mishal Mohamed Ali al-Ansari, diplomats, administrators and consular staff. The event included with a football match and some light exercise along with a discussion on the importance of sports in daily life and its positive effects on health.
Snapshots from the National Sport Day celebrations organised by Qatar’s diplomatic mission. In Washington, DC
