The much anticipated finale of Qatar Open Youth Public Speaking Contest conducted by Qatar Toastmasters is scheduled for Friday, 6 May 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Top ten finalists selected from the preliminary and semi-final rounds will compete for the coveted title of the champion youth speaker of Qatar Open 2016. The event in its nineteenth year saw enthusiastic registration of 181 students from various schools / streams in Qatar. The preliminary round was conducted on 25 March 2016 and semi-final round on 15 April 2016 at the Birla Public School. The contest is open to all young adults of Qatar in the age group of 13 to 18 years.

This year witnessed record participation from more than 25 schools including independent schools of Qatar. Toastmasters' mission is to empower people to develop communication and leadership skills resulting in greater self confidence and personal growth. "Qatar Open is an opportunity to empower youth to focus on a key aspect of leadership - communication", noted Krishnamoorthy Nair, President of Qatar Toastmasters club. He added, "By providing a platform for confident self-expression, it unlocks human potential. Public speaking empowers the students to achieve their aspirations and equip them with vital skills to contribute to the society."

Qatar Open Chairperson Azeez Mohamed said: "This year there is tremendous response particularly from leading independent schools and international schools". Considering enthusiastic response from many new speakers, Qatar Toastmasters conducted three workshops in the run-up to the contest. Two workshops were scheduled exclusively for Independent school students with first workshop being conducted at Al Bayan Independent School for Girls by Rasha Abualhasan and the second at Al Ahnaf Bin Qais Independent School for Boys by Ehab Medhat. A general orientation workshop was conducted by Nevine Kamel at De Bakey High School. In these sessions, students were given insights on the various aspects of public speaking and speech preparation to help them prepare for the contest.

The event was coordinated by members of Qatar Toastmasters with support from the entire Toastmasters fraternity in Qatar and managed by Transmedia International. The event was featured in the QF Radio, covered by the Doha Film Institute and also prominently featured in the print, visual and social media.

Participants, parents and teachers admired the excellent opportunity being presented to the contestants. One parent described it as "an excellent experience for the children" and participants acknowledged it as "one which they look forward to every year". Many participants acknowledged the contest as an effective way of overcoming their fear of speaking in public.

The Qatar Open 2016 Chairperson, Azeez Mohammed said, “It gives immense satisfaction to see that the event has grown in stature over the years”. He added “We are as eager and excited as the contestants and look forward to a memorable and fitting finale to this year’s contest”.

To know more about Qatar Open and Qatar Toastmasters Club, visit http://www.qatartoastmasters.net

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QNE

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