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Sports / Qatar Sport

Team Qatar Sport Village ready to add colour to National Sport Day

Published: 07 Feb 2018 - 12:31 am | Last Updated: 16 Nov 2021 - 11:38 am
A Qatari gymnast demonstrates his skills to schoolchildren during last year’s National Sport Day in this file photo. INSET: Young boxers show off their skills during the 2017 National Sport Day.

A Qatari gymnast demonstrates his skills to schoolchildren during last year’s National Sport Day in this file photo. INSET: Young boxers show off their skills during the 2017 National Sport Day.

The Peninsula

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) will join forces with a number of its National Federations to offer the public a wide programme of sporting activity in celebration of National Sport Day (NSD) on Tuesday 13th February, including a unique Team Qatar Sport Village.
The seventh edition of the special day, which has been emulated across the region since its introduction by Qatar in 2012, will see exciting sporting activities offered for all ages and abilities at the stunning Aspire Park, with the public encouraged to try new sports or pick up old ones.
Sports on offer will include activities ranging from basketball, gymnastics and athletics to taekwondo and weightlifting with the public simply needing to turn up at Aspire Park between 8.30am and 4.00pm on the day to get involved.
Speaking about NSD, QOC Secretary General Jassim Al Buenain said: “We can’t wait for National Sport Day! This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with 12 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.”
“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,” he said.  
Aspire Park has been one of the main venues for the NSD since the initiative started. It has held numerous public, private entities and international events since its conception. In partnership, Aspire is providing the needed space for the National Federations to exhibit their activities on NSD, which is integral to the smooth running of the day.
The 14 National sporting federations to form the Team Qatar Sport Village will include Gymnastics, Athletics, Weightlifting, Basketball, Judo, Taekwondo, Hockey, Tennis, Sailing, Fencing, Boxing, Wrestling, Golf, Table Tennis, Volleyball and School Sports. All federations will be organising taster sessions and demonstrations, providing an opportunity for the public to be active and discover hidden talents.
The Gymnastics Federation will be focal to all activations on NSD in a bid to inspire more young people to get excited and inspired by the sport. Team Qatar’s Ahmed Nabil will be on hand to meet the public and share his experiences for a chance to educate and spread the sport of gymnastics.
Further Team Qatar Olympic heroes will be joining in the Aspire Park NSD celebrations to share their experiences and advice with everyone, as the nation come together for a seventh consecutive year to participate in and enjoy sport.
Other National federations are also holding their activities across Qatar on NSD. The public are able to try out shooting at an open day at Lusail Shooting Range, golf activities will be taking place at Katara, together with handball, equestrian, rowing, cycling, triathlon, air sports, karate and rugby activities. A swimming open day will also be taking place in Hamad Aquatic Centre, while Qatar Women’s Sport Committee will hold its activities at its premises in Al Waab.
NSD 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 only 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.
The public can keep up to date with latest information regarding the NSD on the Team Qatar social media channels, as well as by signing up to the Team Qatar Club on www.olympic.qa/en/teamqatarclub where exclusive content, offers and competitions are available.