Early morning sports activity at Aspire Park. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar will be bustling with sports activities today as thousands of citizens and residents throng various locations to mark the sixth National Sport Day aimed at raising awareness on the important role sports play in the society.
Due to weather conditions, some outdoor activities have been moved to indoor venues such as Qatar Foundation's events from Oxygen Park to Al Shaqab. Among the main events are the march for men on the Corniche at 9am and women’s march at Aspire Park in addition to marches in other locations under the supervision of clubs and municipalities.
A plethora of sports and health and fitness activities will be held across various locations including Katara, Aspire Zone, Qatar Foundation, Asian Town, the Museum of Islamic Art Park, Asian Town and The Pearl-Qatar among others.
Katara will be hosting more than 80 activities at its esplanade with the participation of over 70 associations, federations, and institutes. A variety of sports and games and competitions as well as medical check-ups and health tips are among the activities in store for Katara’s visitors.
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) and its affiliated member organisations has promised one of the biggest NSD celebrations in the country which offers the blend of sporting activities and family fun.
Sports facilities to open to public
The activities which will be spread across Aspire Zone will include unique sporting activities, available in Qatar for the first time such as innovative Eastern and European sports.
Qatar Foundation is organising at Al Shaqab “The Game of Games” set to challenge students’ and staff’s physical and mental stamina.
At the Asian Town, the day’s activities comprise a cricket match, volleyball tournament, marathon, tug-of-war and basketball match among others.
The Pearl-Qatar has set up various zones including Yoga and Aerobics Zone, Kids Zone and Warm-up Zone for sports activities catered across different ages.
Over a dozen activities are also in store for residents in Al Khor and Al Wakrah such as walkathon, running and cycling races, and football matches.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports has instructed all clubs, playgrounds and sports halls to be accessible today for everyone to exercise and disseminate awareness on the importance of sports.
Supervisors of neighborhood playgrounds were also directed to open them for everyone in order to promote the entertainment and sports activities that will take place and allow all entities and ministries to use sports facilities during the day.
Qatar Olympic Committee has also directed all sports associations to postpone their events and competitions scheduled today in order to allow for the participation of all entities, citizens and residents.
Meanwhile, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has joined hands with around 40 hotels to offer various packages to residents and visitors from yesterday until tomorrow. The offers include free access to hotel gyms, gym membership discounts of up to 50 per cent, and free gym classes, among others.
National Sport Day was introduced by Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani through Emiri Decision No. 80 of 2011 declaring the second Tuesday of February annually to be national sports day to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle and promote sports among the population.
