Qatar will mark the 2022 National Sport Day (NSD), encouraging the community to stay active and embrace a healthy lifestyle while adhering to health guidelines amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Ten years after celebrating the first National Sport Day, the event has become popular encouraging people of all ages to stay healthy and active. This year the event is marked under the theme ‘Sport is Life.’
“‘Sports is Life’ was chosen because sports have a benefit on health in general, and also help mental health, increase self-confidence and keep you away from Isolation. It helps make new friends,” said Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, Adviser to the Minister of Sports and Youth.
“Ten years after organizing the first sports day, awareness about practicing sports has increased, and this is reflected in the community. All the public parks and gyms are always full with people exercising,” added Al Dosari.
National Sport Day is a pioneering initiative adopted by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who issued the Amiri Decree No. 80 for 2011 on December 6, 2011, concerning having a day dedicated to sport. The Decree states that the second Tuesday of every February shall be a sport day that encourages everyone to participate in sporting activities. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of sports in society and make it an essential part of daily life.
To limit the spreading of COVID-19, all individual and team sports activities this year are held in open-air venues only. In line with health guidelines, several government and private entities have scheduled a slew of events to engage the public during National Sport Day.
There are deals and offers at hotels and gyms across Doha. Also, there are free workouts offered on this day.
3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum offers a range of events and activities online for the whole family at 9 am, 11 am, and 2:30 pm. The public can join them live on Instagram (@321QOSM) to explore their physical literacy. The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum team will even show participants how to email their scores to them at [email protected] for a chance to win special prizes.
Qatar Foundation will host free fitness sessions in Education City throughout NSD, including boxing, cycling, football, and Zumba. Interested participants public can sign up through the Education City app now.
Also, Qatar Foundation’s first car-free day will coincide with NSD. Staff, students, and visitors making their way to Education City will need to park their cars in designated spots around campus and then walk or use alternative modes of transport such as scooters, bikes, and the Education City Tram to reach their final destination.
Meanwhile, the public can tune in online to Sidra Medicine’s classes throughout National Sport Day. Running between 9 am and 3.45 pm, interested participants can join yoga instructors via sidra.org.
Furthermore, Sahtak Awalan (Your Health First) — a Weill-Cornell Medicine Qatar’s recently launched Fitness Box located at Al Rayyan and Airport Park, offers free workouts throughout the week. The 15 to 20-minute sessions run from 3 pm until 9 pm on Tuesdays and don’t require booking.
“Everyone at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and its flagship health campaign Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First is a keen supporter of Qatar National Sports Day as we strive to empower everyone in Qatar to live their healthiest lives through our many innovative programs and events,” Nesreen Al Rifai, Chief External Affairs and Development Officer at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, told The Peninsula.
The Fitness Box concept offers sessions for people of all ages for free. The classes will be aired on the big screen for everyone to follow and can be done at any fitness level, with instructions in Arabic, Urdu, and English.
SOURCE – https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/02/2022/ten-years-on-national-sport-day-inspiring-healthy-nation
