Doha: The Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, organized a range of activities that combine sports, culture, and arts, held across Katara Corniche and the southern hills. These activities, which mark the 14th National Sports Day celebrations, were designed to engage all members of the community.
According to Qatar News Agency, the events witnessed extensive participation from various entities, including ministries, governmental and private institutions, sports federations, medical centers, and sports clubs. On this occasion, Director of Public Relations and Communications at Katara, Salem Mubkhout Al Marri, stated that Katara continues its pioneering role in promoting a sports culture by organizing a distinguished array of diverse activities in celebration of the National Sports Day.
Al Marri added that Katara is committed to providing a comprehensive sports experience for all members of the community, offering a variety of activities that cater to different age groups and physical abilities, ranging from team and individual sports to interactive fitness experiences, in collaboration with various ministries, official bodies, and private entities, as well as sports clubs. He pointed out that Katara launched its sporting activities with a 1,000-meter walking initiative for employees to promote health and physical activity. This initiative provided a great opportunity for employees to step away from their desks, recharge, and enjoy movement in an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
The activities featured a wide range of sports, including football, padel, beach volleyball, and marine sports, alongside general fitness exercises and health initiatives for the public. Beyond sports and culture, Katara dedicated special areas for children and families, fostering a spirit of participation and enjoyment for all ages. Participants engaged in competitions such as tug-of-war, musical chairs, and cycling contests. Additionally, there were artistic workshops for children, including painting sessions, as part of Katara’s efforts to enhance cultural and artistic awareness while instilling sporting values that contribute to personal development.
On the medical and health front, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) set up a specialized booth offering heart health screenings for both men and women, along with educational information on diabetes and hands-on training in CPR techniques. Similarly, Elite Medical Center provided general health checkups and dental examinations for both children and adults, while Kulud Pharmacy organized various health-related activities and distributed skincare products to attendees.
Assistant Director of Health Promotion and Community Engagement at HMC’s Hamad International Training Center Dr. Mahmoud Younis stated that as in previous years, Hamad International Training Center is participating in Katara’s National Sports Day events by offering a range of activities aimed at promoting health awareness and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among community members, including fitness exercises that integrate physical activity with basic CPR training, as well as “Kulluna” healthy heart campaign, which offers cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI screenings to help participants monitor their health. He added that they have also set up a dedicated children’s area featuring both recreational and educational activities, along with a section for various exercise and fitness equipment.
In the same context, Director of Public Relations and Communications at the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) Noor Shahdad stated that through this participation, NCSA aims to reinforce the concept of sports as a healthy lifestyle, in line with Qatar’s vision of building a healthy and active society, with a variety of activities suitable for all age groups, including designated children’s events such as ball jumping and billiards, alongside a dedicated space for younger children featuring entertaining activities like drawing and coloring. Shahdad added that NCSA also offered exciting sports competitions, including basketball and target shooting, as well as unique digital activities such as a cycling contest between two participants, a penalty kick challenge, and a light wall reaction game, providing an engaging and competitive experience.
The sporting events attracted a diverse audience, with participants particularly enjoying the rowing activity presented by Dragon Boat Qatar. The Doha Marine Sports Club (DMSC) also played a significant role, hosting events such as the Modern Sailing Tournament, the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival, and the Al Dasha Marine Sports Festival, in addition to beach volleyball competitions.