ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, Qatar, will next month host the Annual Bawasil Camp for Children with Diabetes in association with the Qatar Diabetes Association.
The aim of the camp, which is held under the patronage of H.E Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, is to help diabetic children and their families to live normal lives without being isolated from others. Doctors, nurses, nutritionists and counsellors will provide round-the-clock supervision and expert advice in understanding the concerns and needs of children with diabetes.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Hamaq, Executive Director, Qatar Diabetes Association, explained: “Our mission is to create a safe and loving camp for children with diabetes, to address the pain, both emotional and physical, caused by this condition, and to give the children the confidence to reach their full potential.”
The goals of the camp are: to facilitate the exchange of personal experiences; to assist children in handling their feelings about their illness; to help children to gain a sense of independence; to teach children how to inject themselves with insulin; to teach children how to observe and correct fluctuating blood sugar levels; and to discuss good nutrition and exercise.
Around 75 children aged seven to 15 from across the Middle East, as well as Iran and Pakistan, will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, from sports such as swimming and table tennis, to artistic pursuits such as cooking.
Dr. Thomas Flock, Director General, ASPIRE, said the Academy was honoured to host the Annual Bawasil Camp for Children with Diabetes: “Just as ASPIRE encourages young people from all around the world to come together to identify their talents, develop their potential and achieve their goals, so the Annual Bawasil Camp helps children with diabetes to do the same. We share a common vision: that children and young people will strive for excellence and gain the skills and knowledge to live their lives to the full, no matter what their personal circumstances are.”
Dr. Abdullah Al-Hamaq added: “At the Annual Bawasil Camp, children from a variety of national backgrounds have a rare opportunity to interact with their peers from a wide variety of national backgrounds who share the common experience of living with diabetes. It is our hope that they will have a joyful, wonderful time and that they will return year after year for this much-anticipated winter event.”
The Annual Bawasil Camp for Children with Diabetes will be held at ASPIRE from 17th to 21st January 2006.
For more information about Qatar Diabetes Association, please visit www.qda.org.qa
About ASPIRE
ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence, is a world-class organization that aims to identify, educate and train world-class athletes to compete in professional sports at the highest levels. ASPIRE provides exceptional facilities, including full educational and recreational facilities, advanced dormitories, an amphitheatre, lecture halls, seven outdoor football training fields, and state-of-the-art weight rooms and physiotherapy. The Academy is distinguished by a philosophy which aims to develop the whole student, providing them with full academic and sports development so that they have the widest possible range of opportunities in adult life. ASPIRE TODAY, INSPIRE TOMORROW
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
