By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani joined citizens and residents yesterday in the activities to mark the fifth National Sport Day (NSD), the biggest annual sport celebration in the country.
The Emir visited the Simaisma Youth Centre and played football with children whom he urged to engage in various sports.
He watched children take part in horse riding, camel riding, tug-of-war, and traditional archery organised by Nomas Center of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee and H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani were among the hundreds of participants at the NSD activities at Education City under the theme ‘Unlock Your Inner Athlete.’
The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers also celebrated the occasion through a walkathon on the Corniche and sport activities at Al Makhiyah Sports Club.
It was a fun-filled day for citizens and residents who were glutted with many choices of venues to go to engage in physical activities to spend the holiday.
Those who opted the Corniche had the opportunity to take part in a walkathon and watch marine activities such as sailing and water skiing as well as weightlifting and handball among other sports.
Several ministers were also seen participating in activities held for thousands of citizens and residents across the state.
The Cultural Village Foundation- Katara, the venue which hosted the most number of events, saw the participation of the Minister of Industry and Energy, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and Minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi.
Thousands of people thronged to Katara to watch and get involved in over 80 wide-ranging activities combining sport competitions, health and wellness activities, entertainment for children and wholesome food.
The Katara Esplanade and the beach teemed with people taking part in activities lined up by ministries, sport federations and private companies under the slogan ‘Be the Champion’. Events included basketball, football, beach handball, table tennis, karate, boxing, biking, yoga, weightlifting and horse riding. Some indoor activities such as chess, film screenings and exhibitions were also held. Health and wellness companies provided free medical checks and health tips for visitors.
A large number of sport and fitness enthusiasts also flocked to Aspire Zone to benefit from its world-class facilities.
Aspire Zone Foundation organised activities for all segments of society, including football, 3 on 3 basketball, fitness activities including 5,000-step journey, Fun Run and 200m bike race, among others. Nineteen ministries, government entities and private companies chose Aspire Zone for their programmes.
Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari attended the event which, for the first time, saw the gathering of employees of the ministry, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation. Activities at Museum of Islamic Art Park, the Pearl-Qatar and Asian Town also saw a big number of people in attendance. Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali took part in sport competitions in Asian Town. To maximise participation, sport clubs also organised activities across Qatar.
The Peninsula
