Ministries, Institutions and Authorities Mark Qatar Sport Day

Doha, February 11 (QNA) - Qatari ministries, institutions and authorities marked Qatar Sport Day on Tuesday to implement the Amiri decision No. 80 of 2011 that allocated a sport day for the State in order to encourage employees and their families to participate in sporting activities, while adhering to the standards and conditions stipulated in the Amiri decision regarding the country's Sport Day. The Ministry of Public Health, the Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation organized festive activities, on the occasion of the Sport Day, including sports and awareness activities on the importance of sport, physical activity and its many benefits to physical and mental health. HE Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari and the heads of the health sector participated in a joint event on the occasion of the Sport Day at Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City, amid a large participation of employees. The event included a walking exercise in addition to a number of exercises and medical examinations for the employees, and a football match was organized between a number of employees of the Ministry, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation. HE the Minister of Public Health stressed that the country's sports day contributes to health promotion and emphasizes the importance of sport and its role in the lives of individuals and societies, noting that the Sport Day is being held as Qatar is preparing to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and that it supports health. Dr Al Kuwari explained that the Sport Day demonstrates the great interest of wise leadership in the health and well-being of citizens as a priority, as the Sport Day initiative serves healthy goals through the large participation of social groups of all ages in sports activities, while increasing awareness to make exercise a daily behavior for individuals. The participation of the health sector in the Sport Day comes in implementation of Amiri decision No. 80 of 2011, which stipulates that the second Tuesday of February every year shall be a Sport Day for the State. For its part, the Public Prosecution participated in the ninth edition of Qatar Sport Day with sporting activities held on the Doha Corniche, in the presence of HE Attorney General Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Mari, a number of deputy prosecutors and Public Prosecution employees. The events included walking, volleyball, and a number of other sporting activities in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, entertainment and fun. HE Dr Al Marri affirmed that Qatar Sport Day is a creative initiative that attaches great importance to the sport field thanks to the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. In a press statement, His Excellency said that the State of Qatar has provided all the capabilities and potentials to allow all members of society to practice sports everywhere in modern infrastructure and facilities, where many places and facilities have been allocated for the practice of physical activity. HE the Attorney General praised the Sport Day initiative that was launched by HH the Amir, saying it confirms the interest of the State and the wise leadership in promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness among all members of society to make sporting activity a daily practice. Director of Public Relations and Communication at the Public Prosecution Yousef Saif Buhindi said Sport Day is one of the strategic pillars set by the State of Qatar within the framework of achieving its National Vision 2030 that is concerned with human development and preserving the health of the individual and society. The National Human Rights Committee (MHRC) also celebrated the national sport day by organizing various events and sports activities, children's competitions and a lecture on yoga and its importance in the framework of human health behavior. Vice-Chairman of the NHRC Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari stressed the NHRC's keenness and interest in participating in the Sport Day for the State, as exercising is a basic human right, expressing regret that many in the world, especially children, are deprived of the equipped facilities that motivate them to practice sports. Dr Al Kuwari added, in a press statement on this occasion, said many countries encourage sports but Qatar in the only country that has a day dedicated for sports, in which all groups and segments of society participate, and provides open arenas and sports stadiums, parks and amusement facilities for exercising sports. He pointed out that many countries have praised this unique Qatari sport initiative and that the NHRC is keen to celebrate this occasion as an official annual sporting event to highlight the value of sport and its physical benefits which are reflected positively and directly on human behavior in all areas of his life. Celebrating this occasion every year confirms the wise leadership's interest in sports in all its forms, he added, saying that the interest of Qatar in sports is in line with that of the United Nations in the importance of harnessing sport for sustainable development, making and building peace and tolerance, mutual understanding and harmony, while reducing tensions, inequality and prejudice. The NHRC Vice-Chairman praised the great attention the State attaches to sports of all kinds and types, noting that Qatar has repeatedly affirmed its keenness to pay special attention to the need to respect human rights standards and laws in organizing major sporting events, including the World Cup tournament to be hosted in 2022. For his part, NHRC Assistant Secretary General Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali stressed that the Sport Day reflects human, social and cultural values and represents an important milestone during the year not only for the purpose of exercising sports but also for assessing and planning sports behavior during the new year. He described the State of Qatar as the sport front of the world and its focus in all that related to sport after it hosted international competitions and championships, made successive successes and won the world's confidence in hosting the World Cup 2022. Al Jamali explained that the NHRC celebrates every year the country's Sport Day based on the fact that exercising sport is a basic human right, and this includes the right to health and to life itself. Aspire Zone Foundation's (AZF) National Sport Day (NSD) celebrations included activities organized by AZF and its member organizations: Aspire Academy, Aspetar, and Aspire Logistics and will include more than 20 unique events for all members of the community to enjoy. Moreover, AZF hosted more than 18 entities participating in NSD celebrations. The 2020 edition of NSD at Aspire Zone comes in partnership with Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Gas, Sports Corner, KidZania, Aspire Active and Saleh Hamad Al Mana Company (Nissan). As with previous years, 2020's plans prove that Aspire Zone Foundation really does offer something for everyone, no matter their age or level of fitness. NSD activities program is demonstration of the unique AZF trilogy, which brings together Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Logistics, where there will be many activities that are based on sports science that a team from Aspire Academy provides such as foot-volleyball, yoga exercises and multiple sports skills. "Run&Bike", is a new activity presented by the Aspetar's team for the first time, while Aspire Logistics team organizes many community events, especially the obstacle-course race for children and teenagers, fitness relay for adults, wall climbing and many other event. All these events are open to all members of civil society. Aspire Dome hosted a variety of activities for families and friends, including running, hammer throwing, and plyometric challenges. Aspire Dome's activities typically attract up to 2500 people because they offer such a diverse and rewarding set of challenges for all ages, increasing endurance, strength and flexibility. In addition, the Sports Science and Football Performance department at Aspire is organizing several football related activities, including shooting, dribbling, fitness challenge, football matches and more. These activities are suitable for all age groups and fitness levels. The dome will also witness a range of fun sports activities and challenges for all family members, including basketball and challenging barriers, etc. as well as events for children under 10 years, such as children's gymnastics, wall climbing and other challenging activities by the Multi Sports Development Program. AZF's three member organizations; Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Logistics join forces to provide a sporty day full of innovative activities such as foot-volleyball, "Run&Bike" and obstacle-course race. "Run&Bike" is a new event presented by Aspetar's experts this year, where participants can form a team of two, one runner and the other a biker, each cycle and run every 2 km to finish around 4 km together. The Fun Run activity, one of the most popular events in AZF's NSD program in previous years, is back by popular demand and will be open to all members of the community, including men, women, families, children and persons with special needs. It will include a 2-kilometre course around Aspire Zone that will enable participants to experience AZF's various venues and facilities while getting fit and having fun. CEO of the AZF Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi praised the great turnout on various activities organized by the Foundation today, adding that the AZF has introduced games this year to create a qualitative shift in the practice of sport through providing sport halls to motivate them to be a part of the daily life of each individual. He pointed out that the AZF is distinguished in the activities that it holds every year because of its excellent sporting facilities, its sports and social activities, stressing that the AZF held today unique events to celebrate the Sport Day with the participation of many authorities and institutions in the country. At sports and events complex in Qatar University, many activities and events were organized by the QU to celebrate Qatar Sport Day in partnership with Qatar Charity and the Planning and Statistics Authority. At the beginning of the event, HE QU President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham opened new gym at the sports and events complex in Qatar University. The events included a friendly sports match between Qatar University and Qatar Charity, in addition to several competitions and activities including football, basketball, volleyball and handball, as well as tennis and squash competitions, in addition to several health activities organized by the QU's medical wing that included measuring blood pressure, measuring oxygen in the blood and psychological counseling. In a statement, QU President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham affirmed that the QU commemorated this day with many activities as the state-of-the-art gym was inaugurated, and will be a qualitative addition to the QU's progress in order to create an active, effective and enriching student life to establish a sports generation that combines beneficial science and sound physical health. For his part, HE President of the Planning and Statistics Authority Dr Saleh bin Mohammad Al Nabit praised the activities of the Sport Day. Within the activities of the Sport Day 2020, the Planning and Statistics Authority in cooperation with Qatar University and Qatar Charity participate in the activities of this day, in recognition of the importance of enhancing national commitment in the field of human development - one of the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 - which aims to develop the population of the State of Qatar so that they can build a prosperous society. He added that sport is one of the key sectors on which the 2018-2022 second national development strategy is based - a strategy that has adopted promising projects in this sector. He pointed out that organizing the celebration of the Sport Day for all age groups is a necessity to build bridges of communication between all groups of society, prepare a healthy generation and promote intellectual and mental functions, all of which can help in enhancing human development. Meanwhile, the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan) and the centers under the umbrella of the Qatar Social Work Foundation in cooperation with the Qatar Foundation participated in the Sports Day activities in the park of the Qatar Foundation. The Sport Day events were attended by CEO of the Qatar Social Work Foundation Amal bint Abdel Latif Al Mannai, Executive Director of the Ehsan Center Mubarak bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, and a number of managers and employees of the centers affiliated to the Qatar Social Work Foundation. United Development Company (UDC), one of the leading Qatari public shareholding companies and the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Islands, celebrated National Sport Day in participation with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor & Social Affairs (ADLSA), the General Retirement & Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA), and Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool). The event took place simultaneously in Costa Malaz and Porto Arabia districts, where employees, residents and visitors of all ages took part in a variety of sports, entertaining and challenging activities. The activities included football, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, walkathon, obstacle games, wall climbing, foosball tables, among many other recreational games and activities. Every year, UDC regularly hosts public sports-related events across The Pearl-Qatar to encourage residents and visitors to partake in sports activities. The Pearl-Qatar remains an ideal location to lead a healthy lifestyle with plenty of green spaces, public parks, sea-facing facades, and various amenities and gym facilities that support a broad range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities across the Island. On this occasion, HE Minister of Administrative Development, Labor & Social Affairs Yousuf Mohamed Al-Othman Fakhroo said: "Every year on the second Tuesday of February, our beloved country Qatar is transformed into a vast arena to engage in sporting activities in an atmosphere full of energy and vigor." He also added: "The government's interest in sports, spearheaded by His Highness the Emir, has become clear to the entire world as sights are set on Qatar on this day every year, where sports become the drive to an active and healthy society. It is therefore necessary for all of us, individuals and organizations, to mark this annual occasion by spreading the culture of sports further in our society, by making it a way of life for citizens and residents of the State of Qatar." UDC Chairman and President of the General Retirement & Social Insurance Authority, Turki bin Mohammed Al Khater, urged participants to embrace sports as a lifestyle, noting that it will help protect them against chronic diseases and their dangerous complications. He said: "National Sport Day promotes awareness of preventive health notions and instils a culture of 'a healthy mind in a healthy body' among community members. Thus, I invite all participants to engage in sporting activities as a daily routine rather than on certain occasions, in order to build a vibrant society in line with the State's development policies and National Vision 2030". (QNA)