Here is a look at some of the activities in Qatar for tomorrow's National Sports Day
Qatar has been celebrating National Sports Day (NSD) since 2012 on the second Tuesday of February. Now in its seventh year, the events have grown in numbers and in stature. This year, the NSD falls on February 13, tomorrow, and the entire country is gearing up to celebrate it in right earnest.
With NSD being such a large event, it is quite easy to get confused and a bit overwhelmed. Don’t panic because we at Qatar Living has a list of things to remember right here.
National Holiday
The Emiri Diwan has declared February 13, Tuesday, as an official holiday. But instead of lazing away at home, head out and join one of the innumerable activities around the country on the day.
Activities around the country
1. Team Qatar Sports Village
NSD has everything to do with sports and the country’s highest sporting authority — the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) — will be in charge of the biggest event of the day.
The QOC, in collaboration with different sports federations under its umbrella, has set up a Team Qatar Sports Village at the Aspire Park.
Functional between 8.30am and 4pm, the village will feature sporting activities and demonstrations by the national federations of Gymnastics, Athletics, Weightlifting, Basketball, Judo/Taekwondo, Hockey, Tennis, Sailing, Fencing, Boxing/Wrestling, Golf, Table Tennis, Volleyball and School Sports.
Several federations will also host other events for NSD. While the Lusail Shooting Range will let people try out shotguns, Katara will host golf lovers. While an open swimming day take place at the Hamad Aquatic Centre, the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee will hold its activities within its premises in Al Waab.
2. Sports activities at Aspire Zone
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) will be organising more than 20 thrilling sports activities for community members. This year’s celebration in Aspire Zone will be spread across its indoor and outdoor facilities and will be one of the biggest in the country.
* Challenge the Champion
Place: Aspire Dome, indoor athletic track
Time: 10am to 4pm
You can test your speed, jump, and race your family and friends on stationary bikes in a series of motivating physical activities. Participants will receive personalised test results and they can see how they stack up against star athletes.
* Multi-sport Skill Development and Foundation Year Programmes
Place: Aspire Dome
Time: Boys (10am to 4pm), Girls (10am to 1pm)
This programme is designed to provide fun for the entire family. While mothers and daughters can enjoy some personal time by taking part in gymnastics sessions, racket sports and dance, fathers and sons can challenge each other to skills-based competitions. To add to the excitement, prizes will also be awarded.
* Football Performance & Science Activities
Place: Aspire Dome, indoor football pitch
Time: 10am to 3pm
This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about sports science and test your physical and technical football skills. You will be able to challenge yourself with accuracy shots and at the same time, measure your speed and agility.
* Teamwork Challenge
Place: Aspire Dome, gymnastics hall
Time: 9am to 4pm
Get to be part of a team that join hands to overcome challenges together. There will be a variety of team-oriented tasks that can be completed only if you are a good team player. Learn how to collaborate, cooperate and most importantly have fun. Scale the climbing wall together under expert guidance.
* Aspire Football League
Place: Aspire Football Pitches 3, 4 and 5
Time: 9am to 1pm
There will be some of the best non-professional football talents in the country going head to head in their attempts to become champions. This will be the finals of the Aspire Football League and six teams from each generation will compete. Come and watch the excitement boil over.
* Fun Run
Place: VIP Road - Khalifa International Stadium
Registration: 6am to 7.45am and race begins at 8am
On your mark, get set, go! Take this golden opportunity to grab your family and friends and walk or run 2.5km around the Khalifa Stadium. While everyone are welcome to the run, children below 14 have to be accompanied my adults. Get your running boots ready.
* Kid’s Sports Spirit Zone
Place: Aspire Football Pitch 10
Time: 9am to 3pm
There will be a lot of excitement in the air as kids indulge in martial arts, telematch, boot camp and slacklining. Kids will also be able to enjoy classic games like football, basketball, and volleyball. The best performers in each competition will be awarded attractive prizes.
* Nordic Walking
Starting Point: Aspetar West Expansion
Time: 11am to 1pm
Have you ever tried your hand at Nordic walk? It is a low impact physical fitness walking technique that uses specially designed poles to support total body fitness. It ensures that you use over 90% of your body’s muscles.
* Racing and Equestrian Club
Location: Aspire Park, beside The Coffee Company
Time: 9am to 12 noon
Does your child enjoy riding horses? If so, this is a great venue for them to enjoy riding a pony. Adults will be able to ride a horse as well. Kids will also have the opportunity to feed the cute ponies.
* Dodgeball event
Place: Aspire Football Pitch 10
Time: 9am to 3pm
The Aspire Park will witness the official launch of the Qatar Dodgeball Federation. A demonstration of the highly physical game has also been organised. Spectators will be able to participate in an open access Dodgeball game on a full-size dodgeball court. One can take part in the fastest arm in Qatar competition with a prize for the winner.
* Doha Kendo Club
Place: Aspire Football Pitch 10
Time: 9am to 12 noon
Come and learn the Traditional Japanese art of Kendo (Way of the Sword) from our very own Kendoka (swordsman). After warming up, boys and girls will be invited to learn basic Kendo techniques.
* Kids Academy Nursery
Place: Aspire Football Pitch 10
Time: 8.30am to 12 noon
Kids can enjoy face painting, hand-crafting and painting/colouring sessions as well as special gymnastics activities.
* Healthy Lifestyle Section
Location: Pitch No. 10
Time: 10 am to 12noon
Are you living and eating healthy? Do you have good eating habits? You can take advice about healthy lifestyle and eating habits from experts and also have your questions answered.
3. Katara Cultural Village
The Katara Cultural Village will receive thousands of visitors on Tuesday, with around 62 public and private sector companies taking part in the festivities.
There will be 10 sports federations, 11 Ministries, 14 health institutions and 10 food companies taking part in the activities.
Katara will open its playgrounds, facilities and beach for the young and old to play their favourite games.
The sports federations at Katara will include boxing, wrestling, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, rugby and kayaking, among others.
4. Qatar Football Association’s Koora Time
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Shell will once again team up to organise their award-winning corporate social responsibility program ‘Koora Time.’
The event will be held at the Katara Cultural Village.
The program is designed to improve the health and well-being of young people in the country through football.
5. Activities at Qatar Foundation
The Qatar Foundation will be bustling with a lot of activities for this year’s NSD. Here are some of them.
* The challenge (9am to 4pm)
The Challenge is a large-scale sporting festival where in participants compete through a series of challenging physical activities. There will be five different challenges — strength, strategy, balance, concentration, and competition. You will have to be a member of the team and together overcome them all.
This activity is for those aged 16 and over and pre-registration is necessary to be able to be sorted into a team.
* Walkathon (Student Center, 8am)
A 2km walk has been organised and it will begin from outside the Student Center and will end at the Ceremonial Court.
Ultramarathon (Ceremonial Court, 8.20am)
The ultramaratahon will cover a total distance of 50km around Education City. Participants can compete for as much distance as they feel comfortable.
6. NSD activities at Asian Town
Various sports activities will be on offer at Asian Town. The events will begin with an opening ceremony and a bicycle fun race at 8.30am.
It will be followed by games including Basket Ball (males), Volleyball (males & females), Cycling, Skating, Team Building/Obstacle Relay, Karate Demonstration Class, Poster painting Competition, Tug of War Competition in association with Indian Sports Centre, Cricket Match, Cricket Bowled out Competition, Sepak takraw, car show and Kids Sports Meet.
7. Al Khor Community events
The Al Khor Community is quite active when it comes to any national-level events. They will be quite active during NSD celebrations as well and have brought out a huge list of things to do.
