FROM LEFT: Ambassador of Kuwait Hafeez bin Mohammed Al Ajmi; Ambassador of Turkey Dr. Mustafa Göksu; Ambassador of Pakistan Syed Ahsan Raza Shah; and Ambassador of Indonesia Ridwan Hassan
Doha: The Ambassadors of different countries have hailed National Sport Day, terming it a ‘unique event’ which reflects country’s interest in healthy society.
Ambassador of Kuwait to Qatar, Hafeez bin Mohammed Al Ajmi, said National Sport Day reflects the interest of the State of Qatar in sports and community health, its role in building people, and its impact on all areas of life.
“We are very happy to see a sister Gulf country that takes its success as a model in dedicating a sport day every year, as this event has become popular with all who live on the land of Qatar of all ages, citizens and residents, who are keen to spend a distinguished sports day embraced by all regions of the country,” said the Ambassador.
Al Ajmi added: “I would like to point out that Qatar is successfully moving towards hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the great achievements we are witnessing in infrastructure and others have become the admiration of everyone. Let us all rejoice in holding the largest sporting event, after the impressive success we witnessed in organising the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, which reflected the extent of creativity and accuracy in preparation and organisation.”
In his message, Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar, Dr. Mustafa Göksu, said Qatar’s Sport Day reflects Doha’s interest in sports and the health of society, its role in building human well-being and its impact on all areas of life. “It is a great occasion to raise awareness of the importance of doing exercise as a part of everyday life. Sport is an important way for humans to maintain a healthy life. At the same time, it is the most appropriate asset for disease control.
"As the coronavirus epidemic continues to spread around the world, sport has become increasingly important to us to strengthen our immunity.” Sport Day, the Turkish Ambassador said, is crucial in this exceptional circumstance. “It is the only outlet for most people and I am one of them. As celebrating my second Sport Day in Qatar, I would like to appreciate this initiative and unique event once again, which is also in lines with Qatar’s ambitions to organise the 2022 World Cup.”
Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, H E Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, said Islam lays great emphasis on the essential need for a human being’s good health and emotional wellbeing. “Our religion accords health as the fundamental right of every human being, prioritising the importance of keeping good health.”
He added: “It is indeed praiseworthy that the people of the State of Qatar, under the guidance of their visionary leadership observe the second Tuesday of February of each year as National Sport Day. Sports and exercise are essential for achieving individual and collective excellence. It adds to enhanced performance by promoting healthy competition, team work, perseverance and discipline. Sports boost physical as well as mental health of society.”
The Ambassador of Pakistan further said that a designated and State-sponsored sport day promotes and educates the citizens on ways to reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes.
“Qatar has emerged as a sporting capital of Middle East and will be hosting the first ever FIFA World Cup 2022 in the region. It will also host Asian games 2030, besides hosting other major sporting events. Qatar houses some of the best sporting venues and stadiums in the world. The development of the sports infrastructure in Qatar has been remarkable.”
For Indonesian Ambassador, H E Ridwan Hassan, today’s celebration “shows deep connection of this country with sports”.
“Qatar Sport Day is important as well as a unique event. Not many countries in the world have a sports day and make it as a national day. The way of the government and the people of Qatar in embracing sports is exceptional,” he explained. The Ambassador likewise explained how the day plays a vital role in the society. “It has been used at many levels as an effective tool to generate soft-power diplomacy. The success of Qatar in hosting many international events for example will give more prestige and good image of Qatar in the international arena. The FIFA World Cup 2022, where Qatar would be the host is another example how sports play essential roles in diplomacy. It will bring and bridge people from around the world into better understanding,” he said.
Moreover, H E Hassan also emphasised that the sports cooperation between his country and Qatar has lasted for a long time. “In 2021, Indonesian Olympic Committee and Qatar Olympic Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in sports field. We hope it will create bigger avenue for both countries to have further cooperation and collaboration in sports.”
The signing was between Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani on behalf of the president of Qatar Olympic Committee and Raja Sapta Oktohari, President of Indonesian Olympic Committee. The MoU is aimed to increase athletes’ participation in sports events held by both countries and promote the exchange of information and views on sports, as well as physical activity-related issues, among others.
