* Despite Covid-19, Qatar remains world’s sports hub: Dr al-Shaibei
QIIB participated in this year’s National Sport Day (NSD) events in a manner that reflected the new circumstances related to the spread of Covid-19, and in line with the requirements and guidelines related to sports activities and events approved for NSD 2021.
In a statement, the bank said it encouraged all its staff members to work out individually in open areas in line with the precautionary measures that do not hinder the practice of sporting activities such as walking, running and biking, especially in parks, on walking trails and designated bicycle tracks, which are given a lot of emphasis by the State to encourage everyone to practise sports in a safe manner and create a healthy and interactive community.
 

QIIB CEO Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad al-Shaibei

QIIB CEO Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad al-Shaibei and a number of senior executive management members led bank participants in the activities as they took part in the events, fully adhering to safety protocols and complying with the health requirements.
Dr al-Shaibei said, "National Sport Day has a special significance to our country, which has become an international sports hub. For this reason, celebrating this event amid the current pandemic reflects our country’s determination to get on with life and adopt new measures and controls that shall not stand in the way of looking after our health and physical fitness.
“However, such measures and controls are applied to serve individuals and provide them with a suitable environment and conditions under different situations and circumstances, including contingencies.”
He added. "It is true that group sports are important and beneficial and echo the real meaning of participation, interaction and communication at social, human and cultural levels. Yet, the current circumstances emphasise the importance of exercising as it boosts the individuals immune system, strengthens their determination, helps them cope with pressure, and makes them much more productive, interactive and able to give.
"QIIB is keen to participate in various activities that underline the positive values represented by sports, which will enable the whole society to share a strong sense of strength, cohesion, productivity and interaction in various indicators and trends."
Dr al-Shaibei noted that despite the pandemic, Qatar has remained the world’s sports hub and organised a number of international and regional championships, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security, which has contributed to Qatar's great successes in various fields.
He stressed, "Qatar National Vision 2030 has laid the basic foundations that kindled interest in sports, for the national vision’s primary focus is on the individual and how to achieve his aspirations and needs according to the best standards and principles. Creating successful, productive, healthy and fit individuals means creating a strong, cohesive community capable of giving and building and developing its country."
QIIB's officials and employees who participated in the National Sport Day expressed their interest in taking part in the events despite the new circumstances, the statement noted. They stressed the importance of complying with the prescribed health and safety requirements for combating Covid-19 pandemic and returning to a normal life.
The National Sport Day organising committee has laid down the conditions and guidelines related to this year’s events and activities, which require that sports activities must be conducted individually and in the open air only, while applying social distancing and maintaining a distance of at least 3m during each sports activity.
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