QU brings the community together on National Sports Day

Qatar University (QU) staff, faculty, students and their families joined people all over Qatar yesterday in celebrating National Sports Day, in line with the Emiri decision for the day to be observed on the second Tuesday in February each year.

Through the Sports Activities Department, QU conducted a series of sporting and fitness events on its campus and at Katara Cultural Village (Katara) as part of its contribution towards the national effort to promote sports and healthy lifestyles throughout the community. Themed “Sports Unite Us”, the activities were organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Community College of Qatar (CCQ), and Katara, the official host.

At QU Female Sports Hall, QU female students and staff participated in a friendly football match with their colleagues from CCQ. The program also included a march activity, fitness, aerobics, Zumba and yoga sessions, and children were catered with games and sport-related activities. Also on the program was an exhibition featuring healthy nutrition booths, and health awareness and medical and nutrition awareness corners. At Katara, the activities program included a walking march for kids and adults around the area of Katara, a paragliding show performed by a team from QU Air Sports Club, cultural and traditional games, and beach activities such as volleyball and football, as well as sports activities for adults and kids.

A sideline exhibition featured sports booths presented by QU coaches, faculty and students, and a health booth and healthy nutrition corner presented by members from the Physiotherapy and Sport Injury Unit at QU Sports Activities Department in conjunction with QU colleges of Health Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Sport Science Program at QU College of Arts and Sciences. Visitors were briefed on the importance of exercise for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They got free testing of body composition, vital capacity, upper body strength, lower body power, core body muscular endurance, and agility.

Qatar Minister of Municipality and Environment H.E. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Rumehi said: “The National Sports Day, which is celebrated since 2011, is an initiative to encourage the practice of various sports activities within the community, in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. It also aims to shape the generation of future athletes who are equipped with the capacities to host and organize the FIFA World Cup 2022. We, at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, are keen to support the National Sports Day by providing sports equipment and facilities in a number of public parks across Qatar and by creating an environment that encourages the members of the community to practice sports. In this regard, I invite everyone to participate in the activities of the National Sports Day and to contribute to raising awareness on the health benefits of sports and physical activity.”

QU Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr Khalid Al-Khater said: “The National Sports Day aims to promote the culture of sports within the community and to highlight the health benefits of sports. It also aims to motivate and encourage the community members to exercise and practice sports in their daily life.” 

QU Chief Strategy and Development Officer Dr Darwish Al-Emadi said: “In celebrating the National Sports Day, we demonstrate the importance of sports in the State of Qatar and we raise the community awareness on the benefits of sports and physical activity at the health, psychological and behavioral levels. This national event also contributes to highlighting the importance of integrating sports in the everyday life. In this context, Qatar University continues to be a key partner in advancing a culture of sports among students throughout their academic journey.”

QU Student Services and Activities Director Mr Abdulla Al-Yafei said: “We are proud to be part of this national event which demonstrates QU’s commitment to strengthening strong links with the society and to raising the community awareness on the importance of exercise for a healthy lifestyle. In sharing these activities on this special day, QU is contributing to highlighting the health benefits of sports and fitness in line with the National Health Strategy and Qatar Vision 2030.”

CCQ President Dr Ibrahim Al-Naimi said: “The Community College of Qatar is keen on participating in the Sports Day celebrations every year to stress the importance of sports and their vital role in shaping every individual’s life and the society as a whole. Moreover, the Sports Day provides a great opportunity to promote team spirit and further enhance social ties among CCQ faculty, staff and students. The theme of this year’s celebrations is of a special nature, with a variety of heritage-based physical games aiming at reviving those games and passing them on to the younger generations. On the other hand, CCQ will also organize special entertainment activities, in collaboration with Qatar University, for women and children. Needless to say, this year’s celebrations witnessed unique and valuable contributions from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Qatar University and the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya).”

Lieutenant at Lekhwiya Mr Nasser Al Jaber applauded the efforts of QU and the partnering institutions in organizing the events to celebrate the National Sports Day. He said: “Sport is at the top of the priorities of the growth and development process led by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Sport has become a lifestyle at a time when social and health changes are taking place in the society. It is one of the main pillars to build a community, an essential component of the public culture, an influential element in the development of a country in various fields, and a tool to produce a better future.”