Several government and private organisations have announced large-scale programmes to mark Qatar’s first-ever National Sports Day, which falls on February 14 this year.
As each day passes, more and more companies are disclosing their plans to make the event a memorable experience for their staffers and members of the public.
A government initiative being held under the patronage of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, National Sports Day aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle among locals and expatriates living in Qatar.
The Aspire Zone premises will be alive with many organisations including, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, Doha 2020 Olympic bid, Qatar Stars League, Qatar Football Association, Qatar Women’s Sport Commitee, Ministry of Finance, Al Jazeera, Q Media, Qatar Diabetes Association, Jaidah Group and others making use of Aspire Zone’s versatile facility to host their National Sports Day events.
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has collaborated with a variety of organisations within Doha and has created a packed schedule set to entice and excite employees and the community. This includes a Fun Run for the staffers and families of AZF and RasGas. As well as playing host to an array of exciting sports and fitness activities organised by other institutions, Aspire is conducting a multitude of activities for both the public and AZF employees. A highlight of the day includes “A Walk to Remember,” a 3km walkathon which is open to the community. Aspire Active programmes for their members include a Zumba extravaganza, multi-skill development centre activities and football skill development centres tournament.
Meanwhile, support of Aspetar Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital to the NSD will extend beyond the region’s first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital.
Aspetar will support the Qatar Olympic Committee’s activities at the Corniche by providing medical services and experts in various areas to advise the community on areas such as health, exercise, nutrition and other topics.
Aspire Zone Foundation president Hilal al-Kuwari said, “AZF is keen to unify the nation through sport and the National Sports Day is a great occasion for private and government sector entities to join hands and achieve their goals together, through collaboration.”
Qatar Airways will support the initiative by hosting a ‘fun sports day’ for its staffers and their families at Al Jazeera Academy in Doha, where teams will compete in a variety of activities, including football, basketball, tennis and volleyball.
There will also be a range of fun activities for children, including a penalty-kick competition and fabulous prizes on offer during the day.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways has a long tradition of supporting major sports and cultural events in Doha, and now we are looking forward to enabling our own members and their families to enjoy a day of healthy pursuits.
“As the State of Qatar prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, understanding and valuing the positive impact of sport on our own health, our community and our country, has never been more important.”
On the eve of National Sports Day, Qatar Airways’ bowling league will enter three of its teams to go head to head against other local companies.
Qatargas has set up an organising committee chaired by Ghanim al-Kuwari, Chief Operations Officer (Administration) to oversee the planning, preparation and execution of various sports activities for its employees on the sports day. Teams comprising employees from different departments in the company have been formed to take care of various arrangements like sports activities, logistics, volunteers, medical, security and media.
In the run up to the event, Ghanim al-Kuwari said “Qatargas is proud to be playing its part in this first Qatar National Sports Day and to contribute towards sustainable development through sport. We have planned several activities for our employees and their families to enjoy a day of fun and sport with their colleagues. We believe that such events will raise awareness among our employees regarding the importance of sport for a healthier life. I am pleased with the interest our workforce has shown and look forward to what on Tuesday will be an enjoyable day.”
For Qatargas employed Doha residents, the day will kick off with a walkathon and will then be followed with a variety of activities ranging from cricket, volleyball, football, basketball, table tennis at the Al Gharafa Sports Club, one of Qatar’s premier sporting facilities. Those interested in golf could participate in the gold challenge at Doha Golf Club. For Qatargas employees residing in Al Khor Community, an array of exciting activities are being organised. These range from traditional sports such as, cricket, tennis, badminton, table tennis and volleyball to the more unusual sports such as ‘family aerobics’.
Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), has announced its celebration of the National Sports Day with a “Mini Olympics” for all its employees at Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel.
Qapco Vice Chairman and CEO, Mohamed Yousef al-Mulla, yesterday said individual and group sport activities will be held on the beach area and at the outdoor venues. The activities will include games such as football and volleyball in addition to yoga and fitness exercises. Qapco employees and their families are invited to take part in the activities.
The Al Khor Community will organise a ‘Mini Olympics’ and an ever popular football tournament.
The day will begin with a five-kilometre family walkathon around the community, followed by an assortment of 13 sport tournaments and family activities.
Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB) has also planned ambitious programmes.
“This initiative ascribes to the values laid down in Qatar National Vision 2030 which calls for people and their communities to come closer through sport,” said Emad Mansour, CEO of QFIB.
With a theme focused around “A sound mind in a sound body,” QFIB is working with a Dubai-based firm specialised in team building development, focusing on leisure sport activities to organise the event. Activities will include a Mini Olympics for the staffers and their families in addition to several other sports activities, games and competitions.
Lulu Hypermarket Group has made necessary arrangements to actively participate in the National Sports Day activities. This is being organised in co-ordination with the Qatar Olympic Committee.
“The Lulu management has fully conceived the concept of sport and fitness, and we are putting in efforts not only to educate the community about the necessity of fitness but also the importance of healthy eating. With this in mind, the Lulu management is always looking to add to their ever extending range of organic, gluten free and sugar free products, low fat and low cholesterol foods,” a spokesman said.
The Landmark Group is planning to hold football, basketball, volleyball, cricket and softball as part of the celebrations. “Sports play a vital role and besides the physical exercise it contributes to good working climate,” said a communique. The events would spread over the next five weeks, for both men and women.
Landmark Group (Qatar) General Manager Suresh Sarma said, “Our employees are vital to our success and growth, and happy, motivated employees make for a better customer experience too. We believe in investing in our staffer’s job satisfaction and use a number of approaches to achieve this.”
Qatar Indian Fraternity Forum, affiliated to the Indian Cultural Centre is conducting a marathon as part of the sports day celebrations. It will be held at Majlis Taawon Street in Al Wakrah between Pearl Roundabout and Wakrah Sports Club roundabout.
The forum also held a full-day sports programme on Friday at Abdurahman bin Jassem Independent School, Al Wakrah. As part of the event, 100 metres race, volleyball, football, basketball, frog jump, three-leg race and kabaddi were held.
Gulf Times
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