Qatar National Sports Day is a special day for all citizens in Qatar which promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle and urges everyone, young, old and in between to take part. As a national holiday, it brings communities together through sport and the principles of team building, inclusion, unity and participation.
To celebrate Qatar National Sports Day the Embassy of the State of Qatar partnered with Sheffield FC Foundation and Leeds United College at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield as part the Embassy’s outreach programme and community sports engagement initiatives.
Over 260 children from schools across Sheffield and Leeds took part in an exciting array of sporting activities, from long jump to badminton, basketball to hockey and even martial arts.
The day was launched by Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims, and attended by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield Anthony Downing who greeted and welcomed His Excellency Ambassador Yousef Ali Al-Khater to the city of Sheffield.
His Excellency Ambassador Yousef Ali Al-Khater commented on the importance of day’s activities, adding, “we are so excited to have this young generation coming to celebrate this special national day.”
The Embassy of the State of Qatar is actively working to support grassroots communities across the UK, to help encourage healthy living and activity in a positive way.
His Excellency also noted that “as an active sportsman myself, it is a great personal ambition to encourage everyone to participate in sporting activities and so on Qatar National Sports Day, we want to support local schools across the UK in their efforts to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. We want to foster ambitions and inspire the next generation to be the best they can be and, most importantly, to have fun whilst playing sports.”
As part of the Embassy’s continuing efforts to support local schools to encourage an active healthy lifestyle in children, the Embassy donated to local school sports departments, through the Sheffield FC Foundation and Leeds United College partnership to ensure that schools have the right resources to succeed in their initiatives.
In addressing the excited spectators at the English Institute of Sports in Sheffield, His Excellency expressed the common values and passion for sports shared by Qatar and the UK.
“Both Qatar and the UK share a great love for sports and we know what can be achieved when you encourage everyone to take part in sports, which is why Qatar has a special day dedicated to just sports and we are excited to have this young generation celebrate Qatar’s national sports day”
To leave a positive legacy of the 2022 World Cup, the Supreme Committee uses the power of sport to positively impact lives and create sustainable social development in communities so as to deliver the Generation Amazing Legacy programmes.
Qatar’s Generation Amazing Legacy aspires, to encourage education on healthy eating and maintaining an active lifestyle through sports; to create a positive long-lasting legacy that reduces health risks and brings communities closer together through sports.
Michael Flanagan from Meadow View Primary School expressed his excitement at the school being part pf Qatar National Day, “we thought it was a great opportunity to give our children an experience that they would not usually get in school. Lots of the activities that we have done today are part of our curriculum but we just don’t have the resources. To give them a taster today has been absolutely brilliant, it’s been fantastic.”
Qatar National Sports Day Celebrations at Westway Sports Centre
The Embassy of the State of Qatar embarked on additional celebrations for Qatar National Sports Day with a variety of sporting activities for staff, friends and family.
His Excellency, Ambassador Yousef Ali Al-Khater began the day’s activities by welcoming everyone to what he promised to be a fun-filled day of sports and activities.
The event comprised of a full day of friendly, competitive activities, including football, climbing, table tennis and other multi-sports activities, with staff, friends and family playing and competing in various sports.
‘I am delighted to see so many of our colleagues’ friends and family so full energy and eager to join in today’s sporting celebrations.’ His Excellency, Ambassador Yousef Ali Al-Khater commented.
“Today, we are here to not only celebrate Qatar National Sports day but to also spend the day understanding the importance of being active in our daily lives, to reconnect with friends and colleagues through sports and to have a good time together.” His Excellency, Ambassador Yousef Ali Al-Khater.
His Excellency was eager to show his own sporting prowess as he took part in the day’s football tournament, and while his team did not take the trophy home they had a great time trying.
During the day staff enjoyed a healthy lunch and spent time enjoying each others’ company, “it is great to get together with colleagues and friends and enjoy a day of playing games and having fun,” Embassy member of staff.
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More Information
Qatar National Sports Day with Sheffield FC Foundation and Leeds United College Video
Qatar National Sports Day at Westway Sports Centre Video