The graduation ceremony of the first group of this year’s ‘Tomorrow’s Officers’ programme was held at the Police College on Thursday.
A total of 300 students graduated in the group after completing the training programme, which included infantry, self-defence, fitness, archery and horse-riding, the Ministry of Interior said in a tweet.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Maj Gen Dr Abdullah Yousif al-Mal, adviser to HE the Minister of Interior and vice-president of the Supreme Council of the Police College, parents of the graduates and officials from the MoI.
Maj Gen Dr al-Mal expressed admiration for the skills of the participating students, reflecting the success achieved by the programme. He also valued the efforts made by the officers and trainers, from among the college staff, in preparing the students to attain this level. 
He highlighted the skills and military discipline the students showed during the parade of self-defence skills and arresting the wanted, which indicated that they learned about an important aspect of security work and the role played by the police in maintaining the security and safety of the country and all members of society. 
Maj Gen Dr al-Mal added that the programme came as part of the directives of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani to the Police College to set a plan to develop an interest among the youth at an early age, and train and rehabilitate them scientifically, intellectually, religiously and sports-wise during the summer vacation. 
The college started designing and implementing the youth programme from summer last year and the experience proved successful as they received some 2,000 students from the primary stage, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
He noted that due to the programme’s success and the parents’ satisfaction, the college continued to work this year to increase the number of students to 2,600. He thanked the faculty of police officers and trainers for the success of this programme.
The ‘Tomorrow’s Officers’ initiative includes training sessions, physical exercises, and various learning and entertainment programmes. The camp was envisioned in order to help the student community learn about the values of the country, groom them as ideal citizens and make them aware of their duties to the nation as well as the services rendered by the Qatari government. 
Students aged 9-11 years are given training in self-defence, archery, martial arts, swimming, horse-riding and shooting. Participants are given training in policing and military skills. Besides, learning sessions that help students acquire behavioural and leadership qualities and educational skills are also held as part of the programme. 
Head of training at the college, Maj Fahad Saeed al-Subaie, said the programme is implemented by highly qualified officers with long experience in dealing with young people. This year, the college ensured that the sports activities highlighted different social values such as ethics, honouring parents, giving, honesty, loyalty to work, serving the country and appreciating the State’s sponsorship of education, health, as well as the value of security and safety, he added.
The ceremony included a documentary film, presenting the programme’s daily activities, the training and the various sports and educational activities the students took part in. The students also presented a number of military and sports shows at the ceremony.
Further, the event featured a poetry recital and a speech on the participating students, expressing appreciation for the programme’s participants as well as reflecting their happiness with what they gained during the programme.
Parents attending the event also expressed their happiness with the programme and appreciated the attention given to their children by the ministry, represented by the college.
The two-week training programme had started on June 30.