Amiri Decree No. 80 of 2011 designated the second Tuesday of February each year shall be a National Sport Day in the State of Qatar where everyone is encouraged to participate in sporting activities with family, colleagues, friends and community members living in the country.
This year will be the biggest Qatar National Sport Day in the history of the initiative that was launched with an Amir Decree in 2011. The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani will lead the activities planned across the country. The government organizations, the private corporations, the academic institutions, the sport federations working under the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), shopping malls and sport clubs in Qatar will also take active part in the day’s activities. It is a day of engaging with the young and old in the country with sport activities, events or tournaments that not only bring out the competitive edge among those pursuing sport seriously but help the ones who want to break a sweat for a healthy heart, mind and soul.
Last year, HH the Amir walked around the Al Bayt Stadium Park’s walkway in the company of dozens of school students. The day’s event kicked off to raise awareness among young people on the importance of sport and encouraging them to adopt healthy lifestyles and take care of physical fitness. The Al Bayt Stadium Park has green spaces surrounding the entire venue which hosted the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 late last year. The Park also includes sport facilities, tracks for running and cycling, in addition to horse riding track. The park is one of the most prominent projects that is considered a legacy that will be used after the World Cup.
National Sport Day was established in 2012 with the aim of uniting the nation in a shared celebration of sport and inspiring people to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Qatar is one of the few countries in the world to dedicate a public holiday to sport and the number of people that turned up to join in activities in the past years show how it continues to be a huge success. “We are proud that Qatar is one of the few countries in the world and the first in the Middle East to dedicate a public holiday to National Sport Day,” President of the QOC, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, said. He continued: “Once again, National Sport Day will provide a unique platform to inspire and unite our nation through sport and share the Olympic spirit in one place. Qatar is committed to putting excitement and enjoyment at the heart of all the sporting activities on offer. We are determined to see an increase in physical activity in our country, not simply on the basis of the number of people taking part, but because of the wider value it will have for our collective health, wellbeing and happiness, as individuals and as a society.”
Speaking about National Sport Day last year, Secretary General of the QOC, Jassim Al Buenain said: “We can’t wait for National Sport Day! This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with all federations organising activities that will give everyone the opportunity to have a go at sport. When we say everyone we really do mean it! This is a day for all ages, all abilities and all our people to come together and enjoy the thrill of being active.” He added: “Whilst festivities like this are rooted in a desire to provide a fun and informal environment for all those who want to take part, they are also extremely important if we are to nurture our next generation of superstars. That’s why this year we will also be joined by Team Qatar’s very best athletes who will show the way and support everyone who puts their hand up to give a sport a go.”
Last year, football icon David Beckham attended the launch of a new Generation Amazing Community Club on Qatar National Sport Day. Located in Lusail – the city that hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ final on 18 December – the club provides sporting and educational activities for young people. It also teaches key life skills like communication, organisation, teamwork and leadership while aiming to promote gender equality and inclusiveness. Beckham, who represented his country at three FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, was the special guest at the opening and took part in a host of football activities and observed literacy classes and art workshops. “Community clubs like this one have the potential to change young people’s lives,” said Beckham. “It is great to be here today to see the valuable work that Generation Amazing are doing. I have no doubt that this facility will help young people achieve their goals.”
Qatar Foundation also celebrated National Sport Day 2022 with an array of community-focused activities and events – including the launch of an inclusive football tournament. The activities, which were sponsored by Ooredoo and ranged from fitness classes, Sport competitions, and exercise challenges – such as Zumba, boxing, and yoga – reflect Qatar Foundation’s (QF) commitment to encouraging healthy, active living, which it supports through year-round sport programs.
Qatari swimmer Nada Arakji said: “I am very excited for Qatar National Sport Day this year. It is an opportunity for everyone in the country Qatar to participate in sport, and it is such a great honor for me to be here in QF, especially as I am a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. It is so nice to be back and I am honestly very excited.”
Qatari taekwondo athlete Kaltham Al Mutawa said: “Sport has a major and important role in my life, and has helped me learn many things. I encourage all members of the community to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes, even just walking. I really hope that everyone enjoys sport, because it is really fun and full of benefits.”
Commenting on his participation, star weightlifter Fares Ibrahim said: “I joined Team Qatar to teach people more about weightlifting, which is one of the oldest sport in history and to let them, especially the children, try this sport and discover their talent in it.”
So when you step out of your home at this year’s Qatar National Sport Day on Feb 14, 2023, don’t be surprised to see citizens and residents walking, running or cycling around the Doha Corniche. You would also see casual games of football played around parks, folks engaging in miniature golf or playing cricket with a tennis ball, tackling tug of war competitions or doing yoga routines. And yes, it’s a public holiday so there’s school to attend to or office work to tackle.
The main objectives behind the Qatar National Sport Day are:
- To promote sport and physical activities and teach people about the sport and benefits of physical activities.
- To educate communities about promoting healthy lifestyle and reduce health risk associated to with leisure and inactiveness.
- To building a robust community is also one of the primary objectives of such sport events. The communities participating learns sportmanship, team work, unity, importance of fitness and growing together.
