Doha: On occasion of the annual Qatar National Sport Day, which marks its 10th year in 2021 the staff at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Secretariat, which has been headquartering in Qatar since its very establishment, paid a tribute to healthy lifestyle and environment by undertaking a variety of sports-related activities.
“Ten years ago, through Emiri Decree 80 of 2011, Qatar became the first country in the world to dedicate a full-day to sport and set an example of how human diversity should be embraced and celebrated through the universal popularity of sport. This wise decision reinforces sport as the ultimate tool to promote health and discourage inactive lifestyle, thereby building healthy communities and eventually healthier nations,” said Yury Sentyurin, GECF Secretary General.
The GECF is deeply embedded in the general and diplomatic community in the country. Its health and wellbeing policies see sport as having the inherent power to empower individuals. It uses sport to encourage people of all ages at the workplace to become more physically active, provide opportunities for recreation and personal development, build self-esteem, and fosters positive connections with peers.
“In a world undergoing tremendous changes, sport can also be used to reduce conflict, bridge differences and eliminate disadvantages, just as natural gas reduces energy poverty and brings social and economic prosperity. In fact, it is the inherent environmentally-friendly nature, affordability, reliability, accessibility, and flexibility that both sports and natural gas share in common,” added Secretary General.
As the world gets increasingly committed to limiting global warming to well below 2C degrees, the importance of environmental protection is evident in the success of various “green” initiatives in connection with eco-responsible behaviour, transition to carbon-negative energy systems, and circular economy principles.
As a global energy stakeholder, the GECF currently counts 19 Member Countries – leading producers of the cleanest fossil fuel with exciting potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions on a global scale. These Member Countries span four continents and together represent 71 percent of proven natural gas reserves, 44 percent of its marketed production, 53 percent of pipeline and 57 percent of LNG exports across the world.
“The Qatar National Sport Day is a great occasion for private and government sector to join hands and achieve their goals together, through collaboration.
Collaboration is one of the main guiding principles of the GECF as we believe in upholding the ideals of cooperation, tolerance, and endurance,” added Sentyurin.
Unlike previous years, in 2021, due to the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the GECF Secretariat staff carried out a range of activities on an individual basis, including bicycling, yoga, boxing, and water sports.
