The State of Qatar has put society’s welfare and public health at the heart of its development agenda. Qatar was also a trendsetter when it instituted a national sport day holiday in 2011. Ever since, the government has been using the occasion to raise awareness on the importance of sport and its role in the lives of individuals and societies.
Qatar’s citizens and residents celebrated the 13the National Sport Day yesterday, with healthy sports activities across the country. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also participated in the activities of the National Sport Day, by rowing on Bin Ghannam Island on the east coast of Qatar as part of raising awareness of the importance of practicing various types of sport and encouraging the community to pay attention to physical fitness.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani joined children at the Orphan Care Center (Dreama) to celebrate the occasion. Similarly, Speaker of the Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, and other members of the Shura Council and staff participated in sport day activities at Aspire Park, including walking, exercise, cycling and other sports.
The day sees government ministries, departments and private institutions organising sport activities for their staff, families, and community members.
As pointed out by Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, celebrating sport day every year reflects sport’s status in Qatari society with the resulting healthy culture that has become entrenched in most members of society year after year, and its reflection on the development of the human element, which is of great importance to the state in accordance with the requirements of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Building a healthy society is also the cornerstone of Qatar’s societal infrastructural development. The government’s efforts to promote community health has been recognised by the World Health Organization. Qatar is the first country where all municipalities have received the title of Healthy City from the World Health Organization, in addition to Qatar Foundation’s Education City being recognised as a Healthy Education City and Qatar University as a Healthy University. Healthy Cities approach aims to create and nurture physical and social environments, expand community resources, and foster mutual support among people. According to Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, Qatar has adopted this approach and translated it into strategic initiatives, policies, and best practices by following the ‘Health in All Policies’ strategic priority.
