Nation’s inaugural National Sports Day

Doha, February 05 (QNA) - To mark the nation’s inaugural National Sports Day, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is hosting a huge, fun-filled day of sporting activities for all of its staff, students and their families. And QF Radio will enter into the spirit of things with a magnificent sports-related phone-in quiz, offering lucky winners the once in a lifetime opportunity of attending an F.C. Barcelona match at the famous Nou Camp stadium. Qatar celebrates Sports Day, a national holiday, on Tuesday 14 February. QF s impressive array of events will be concentrated around four main locations at its campus. The Recreation Center s activities will include swimming races, aerobics, spinning and Zumba classes, as well as cycling and cricket tournaments. At QF s grassed outdoor pitches, the emphasis will be on fun, with an eggstacle race, a ball between knees game, and a balloon pop relay just some of the events guaranteed to raise a laugh amongst participants and onlookers alike. Meanwhile, the Student Center is sure to attract some of QF s more competitive community members, with its program including table tennis, badminton, volleyball and billiards tournaments. And, at Al Shaqab, Arabian horse shows and horse-drawn carriage rides will take place, along with other equestrian performances. At each of the four bases, there will be events catering specifically for children, and even the catering itself will be lifestyle-friendly, with healthy lunch options the order of the day. The physical wellbeing of Qatar s population was officially recognized as a priority with the issuing of Amiri Decree No. 80 2011, announcing that National Sports Day was to take place on the second Tuesday of February every year. As well as encouraging people to enjoy sport, the Amiri Decree sought to raise awareness of the importance of physical health. This goal chimes closely with the mission of QF. "It is a sincere honor for Qatar Foundation to participate in the nation s first ever National Sports Day," said Dr. Fathy Saoud, President of QF. "The occasion will serve as a means of educating us in pursuing a healthy lifestyle, leading to longer, fuller, and more productive lives. "These aims are central to the vision of Qatar Foundation as we seek to promote community development. We hope that the day will prove enjoyable for everyone." Meanwhile, football fanatics and culture connoisseurs alike will undoubtedly be tuned in to QF Radio throughout National Sports Day. Listeners will be invited to call in and take part in a sports and health trivia contest, with five victorious competitors winning a pair of tickets each to see an FC Barcelona game in the flesh, while of course taking in the delights of the beautiful Catalonian city. The lucky winners will be invited to tour QF before they depart for Barcelona. QF Radio broadcasts on 93.7 FM, in both English and Arabic. But if you plan to be on the move as an active participant in National Sports Day, be sure to download QF Radio s phone app in advance, and stay tuned throughout the day. (QNA)