Qatar Sports Day Draws Record Number of Participants

(ATR) The secretary general of the Qatar Olympic Committee tells Around the Rings the record participation at Qatar Sports Day was a "pleasure" to see.

Sports Day, a public holiday in Qatar, offered activities from 10 national federations on Feb. 10, along with other free sporting activities at "Sports Village" in Doha and around the country.

"Record numbers of people turned up to the Sport Village, and it was a pleasure to witness people of all ages and abilities participating in activities with Qatar’s star athletes," Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, secretary general of the QOC, told ATR.

"National Sport Day is a key part of Qatar’s vision for sport and it is our ambition to use the day to bring our nation together to make sport an integral part of their life."

Sheikh Saoud tells ATR the focus of Sports Day is to encourage Qataris to adopt "a healthier and more active future."

"All public parks, iconic landmarks, sports clubs and federations venues were bustling with crowds enjoying the many different activities on offer," Sheikh Saoud said.

Sports Day was started in 2011 by the Qatari Royal Family; months after Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.

Since 2011, the country has been awarded hosting rights for the 2019 International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships, the 2015 International Handball World Championships, and the 2015 International Boxing Association World Championships.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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