Qatar National Sport Day Celebrations Hailed as Greatest Ever

DOHA, Qatar, February 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Qatar unites through sport with free sessions for all

Crowds show their support at Corniche Walk and Qatar Olympic Committee Sport Village

Third National Sport Day leaves sporting legacy at sportday.qa

Qatar has come together through sport for the most widely celebrated National Sport Day in history, with countless free sporting sessions for every age and fitness level taking place across the country. Boasting an unrivalled schedule of free sporting events throughout Qatar, the third National Sport Day has given the people of Qatar the ultimate opportunity to kick start a future of healthy living.

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The day began for many with high ranking dignitaries at the annual Corniche Walk where families and friends gathered to start the exciting day of sport. The VIP group then visited the Qatar Olympic Committee Sport Village which has been acting as a main hub in Doha since February 6^th, ensuring the whole of Qatar could celebrate sport together in a festival atmosphere.

Along with the extensive sporting events taking place at various locations across the country, National Sport Day also focused on Qatari culture with a traditional Al Shawahef rowing championship later on in the day. The event acted as a reminder of Qatar's ancient sporting heritage and the role it has played in the country's most recent sporting developments.

Based on the sporting principles of inclusion and unity, participation and fun, fitness and health, National Sport Day has cemented its status as one of the highlights of Qatar's community, sporting and national calendars, taking the celebrations to highlight the importance of healthy living to a new peak.

Speaking on National Sport Day the Minister for public Health, His Excellency Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani said:

"Today is a fantastic milestone for the people of Qatar. Healthy living for all is our aim and through one of the world's most varied and exciting programs of events we have given the people a most incredible opportunity to seize the day. It's been great to see so many happy smiling faces taking part and we hope that this day acts as a kick start to a new era of health in Qatar."

Speaking at the QOC Sport Village on National Sport Day, the Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee, His Excellency Saoud Bin Abdulrahman said:

"National Sport Day gets better and better each year and 2014 has taken the event to a new level. The whole nation should be extremely proud. The Sport Village has been a revelation this year and allowed us to see some exciting sparks of talent which we can hopefully nurture into the next generation of Qatari athletes. That is very much the goal for us with National Sport Day, ensure everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves but also keeping an eye out for Qatar's next stars."

Ensuring a legacy of greatness, stemming from National Sport Day, the Qatar Olympic Committee website will continue to act as a hub for sports networking to give the population access up to date information on where to practice their favourite sports or try out new ones.

Further details are available on http://www.sportday.qa  

Qatar National Sport Day Official Sponsor:
Exxon Mobil

Gold Sponsors:
Sports Corner, Astad Project Management, Zoom Events and Production, VLCC Slimming, Skin and Hair Services

Silver Sponsors:
Aspetar, Weil Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Jungle Zone, Lulu

Notes to editors:

About Qatar National Sport Day

A public holiday, Qatar National Sport Day is an annual which takes place in 2014 on the 11^th of February based on the sporting principles of inclusion and unity, participation and fun, fitness and health.

Inaugurated in 2012 and supported by Qatar Olympic Committee, National Sport Day aims to give the people of Qatar an opportunity to kickstart a future of healthy living. With an unrivalled schedule of free sporting events across the country, National Sport Day is charged with bringing the country even closer together through activity, leaving a lasting legacy for the local community. 

About Exxon Mobil

ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world.

ExxonMobil Qatar Inc. is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation and is the interface point within Qatar for all ExxonMobil affiliated activities. To learn more, visit exxonmobil.com.qa or www.إكسون-موبيل-قطر.com.

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SOURCE Qatar Olympic Committee