Promoting sports has been one of the priorities of the Qatari government. From organising world class events to supporting the local athletes, country’s sports officials are doing their best to boost sports in the country as well as in the entire region, and they have achieved remarkable success over the years with their hardwork.
In this regard, special emphasis is also being given to promoting the community sports by organising several competitions throughout the sports calendar every year. One of the most popular events among such contests is the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Beach Games, the third edition of which is underway at the Cultural Village Katara.
Initiated in 2021, the QOC Beach Games is growing every year and this year’s edition is witnessing more than 800 participants from across the country taking part in seven disciplines including football, volleyball, 3x3 basketball, boxing, karate, swimming and aquathlon. The top QOC officials are leading from front to make these Games a great success. On Friday, QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain also attended the opening ceremony of the Games along with other officials.
The Organising Committee has allocated QR500,000 in prize money for the winners. The interest for the Games among the community was such that registration process for the Games went smoothly and quickly. “Qatar Olympic Committee is always keen to add new games annually amid the rising turnout from public. We started our first edition with three games, followed by five games in the second edition, and the number has been raised up to seven games in this edition due to a huge response from all community members,” said Mohammed Hamad Al Meanis, the Games’ Head of Marketing and Communication Committee, prior to the kick off.
By hosting this multi-sporting event, the QOC aims to promote culture of beach games inside the Qatari community; increase base of participants and keep its success alive after hosting the incredible inaugural ANOC Beach Games in Doha. More than 1,200 athletes from 97 NOCs took part in the global event in 2019. It was a fantastic six days of competition, which engaged the local population and those around the world in 13 exciting and youth-focused sports.
Meanwhile, the QOC Beach Games are accompanied by entertainment and educational programs allocated for all age groups, with purpose of boosting sustainability campaign and to tell both citizens and residents about their part in preserving the environment and beaches in Qatar. Apart from increasing the base of athletes, such community events also promote the sports activities among the citizens and residents, which are integral to a healthy society.
