Doha: The Qatar British Business Forum (QBBF) hosted former Olympic and world champion athlete Liz McColghan at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. The Olympic silver medalist, former world record holder and BBC Sports Personality of the Year shared her experiences in developing athletics in young people from all communities in Qatar.
Since moving to Doha in 2014, McColghan has been committed to supporting the growth of athletics opportunities across the country. Two years ago she established Qatar’s only independent and international athletic club – Doha Athletic Club, and has worked to encourage women’s involvement in sports.
McColghan delivered an inspirational speech that followed her athletic journey from a young age in Scotland, which saw her become one of the most celebrated athletes in British history. She later moved into the world of coaching, supporting Team GB and her daughter who competed in London Olympics and has the qualifying time for Rio 2016 Olympics.
McColghan said: “Athletics has been a lifelong passion of mine from early childhood to after my retirement from competition. Sport created an opportunity to create an inner drive in me that no one thought was possible and I see similar drive in girls and boys here. By creating sporting opportunities, children learn life skills they can utilise in the workplace as adults. “It is a competing world we live in and we need drive, ambition and confidence to achieve our dreams.” McColghan addressed challenges women often face due to cultural and religious dress, particularly in relation to ‘no hijab’ rulings at international sporting events. Over the past few years, sports have become more accessible to women and girls and McColghan expressed commitment to nurturing and supporting talent within the community.
QBBF Chairman and CEO of Rumaillah Group, Emad Turkman MBE, said: “McColghan’s story is inspirational. She has faced challenges while developing her career as an athlete and a woman in sports. As a result, she is one of Britain’s most respected athletes and the work she is doing in Qatar to develop athletic talent does not go unnoticed”.
The Peninsula
