Preparation for Sports Day in full swing Monday, 30 January 2012 04:06

BY ARMSTRONG VAS

DOHA:  Preparations to host the National Sports Day are in full swing and there has been enthusiastic response — from both the public and private sector — to join in the celebrations said H E  Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary-General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).

Addressing a press conference at the QOC headquarters yesterday Sheikh Saoud said that the National Sports Day on February 14 will be held in cooperation with various government organisations, clubs, and municipalities.

“The National Sports Day will be held on February 14 with a walking programme on the Corniche and Aspire Zone, both which will begin at 9am. The walk at Aspire Zone is for ladies and girls. Different villages and cities outside Doha will team up to have their own programmes,” informed the QOC Secretary-General.

National Sports Day is a pioneering  initiative adopted by H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent, who issued the Emiri Decree No. 80 for the year 2011 on  December 6, 2011, concerning the State’s National Sports Day. The decree states that Tuesday in the second week of February each year will be the state’s National Sports Day.

Leading sports personalities from Qatar including ace rally driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah will also be involved in different programmes to be staged in different locations.

Sheikh Saoud said the QOC will provide all the information pertaining to the National Sports Day programme at one website.

“We are in the process of collecting information of different organisations, government bodies, municipalities and clubs hosting the National Sports Day. We will place all the data on the website. We will shortly issue a circular, which will come handy for people, who are looking for information on the National Sports Day programmes.”

The National Sports Day is part of Qatar’s vision to help domestic institutions create a healthy community and the feedback the QOC has been very encouraging.

“The Sports Day is for all people living in Qatar and call upon all of them to join in the celebration. We call upon all expatiates to have their own programmes and enjoy the day. Sports which fit in the culture of Qatar are welcomed. We are not controlling on what programmes they wish to have. Celebrate according to your means and possibilities. We are happy with response from both the private and public sector,” added Sheikh Saoud.

The National Sports Day is also part of QOC’s strategy to promote sports, physical education and sustainable development among the community that is in compliance with the Qatar’s 2030 vision.

The QOC had earlier announced that all communities and individuals will have free access to sport clubs and federations’ playing area on February 14.

Besides the Secretary-General of QOC senior officials from QOC, other sport institutions attended the press conference.

The Peninsula

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