H.H. Sheikha Moza and H.E. Sheikha Hind celebrate National Sport Day with Qatar Foundation

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, participated in QF’s National Sport Day activities this morning at Education City.

Her Highness and Her Excellency joined visitors at Al Shaqab’s Indoor Arena, where they toured the events and spoke with some of the participants.

The fun-filled program of activities, which included a walkathon and a 40km cycling event that started in Education City, highlights QF’s commitment to creating an active, sports-loving society, while encouraging the wider community to make long-lasting health and lifestyle changes.

Visitors to the Al Shaqab arena also enjoyed a range of high-energy pursuits, including volleyball, football, pony riding, tug-of-war, cycling exercises, and an array of stimulating puzzles and games for kids. QF’s Nutrition Clinic was also on hand to provide nutritional advice to visitors, alongside a number of health food vendors.

Machaille Al-Naimi, President of Community Development, QF, said: “Our National Sport Day program is part of a wider, year-round campaign that aims to promote healthy living as an integral part of the day-to-day lives of all Qatar’s residents. Other examples include ‘Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First’, a joint initiative with Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar; and also the ‘Diabetes Prevention Camp’ run by Qatar Diabetes Association.”

Also at Al Shaqab, Qatar International Golf Club organized a fun skills game, while QF’s innovative National Reading Campaign was present with games for children at the campaign’s colorful Reading Van, which also operates as a mobile library.

Mashaeel Khalifa al-Zarraa, a Qatari mother who took part in the walkathon, said: “This is a great event. I like how everyone is getting into the atmosphere of doing something sporty today and participating in being active and healthy. It’s great to see so many mothers, fathers and children come together and take part in different games. Every year I do something different for Sport Day, and this year I’m walking with my children – anything that gets us moving and gets the circulation flowing.”

Ibrahim Ali Al-Baker, a visitor who took part in the QF activities, said: “I would like to thank Qatar Foundation for organizing these various, fun-filled events for people of all ages and athletic abilities. I’m very happy to be able to take part in these festivities along with my children who have demonstrated a great passion for riding ponies, playing football, and reading.”  

Additional QF Sport Day activities included ladies-only fitness classes at Hamad bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Student Center, and QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE) schools celebrated with range of exciting Sport Day events, ranging from football to traditional games.

This year marked the sixth annual National Sport Day since its launch by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.