London 2012 Paralympian Abdulrahman Abdulqader Abdulrahman has been announced as the first official ambassador for the National Sport Day, to be held on February 12 in Doha and across Qatar. Abdulrahman, who competed as the representative of Qatar in the shot put, discus, and javelin throw disciplines at the Paralympic Games last summer, is among a group of athletes who pledged their support for the National Sport Day. As the leading Paralympian in the country, Abdulrahman’s presence is central to the main concept of the event – that sports is for all, offering an opportunity for personal development. “In athletics, you compete not only against your opponents but against your personal records as well,” said Abdulrahman, who finished sixth out of 20 athletes in the discus throw in London. “Personal development is a key part of sports and can help everyone improve in every aspect in life. I hope the National Sport Day leads to more people embracing sports for life.” Inviting the people of Qatar to take part in the event, the Paralympian highlighted the way sports helped him overcome obstacles. “My disability does not prevent me from practising sports and achieving high performance levels, representing my country and raising the Qatar flag in international events,” he said. “Furthermore, it encourages me to challenge the best athletes in the world and prove that even a disabled person can achieve better results than non-disabled people.” The National Sport Day ambassadors are a group of athletes in Qatar who have pledged their support to the National Sport Day 2013. Their skills, spirit and commitment to sport embody the values of the event. The National Sport Day is celebrated every second Tuesday of February and is an initiative by Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Across the country, ministries, government departments, public and private sector organisations, and sports clubs will conduct sporting activities for all on February 12. The event aims to create awareness about sports and its health benefits. For more information, visit www.sportday.qa. Gulf Times

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