The unique power of sport to unite, inspire and connect has been shared with all Qatari residents as National Sport Day (NSD) brought the nation together through sporting celebrations across the country on 13th February. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) joined forces with its national federations to organise multiple activities that spread the fun and excitement of participating in sport amongst people of all ages and abilities. Thousands of people visited the Team Qatar Village in the heart of the Aspire Park, where Qatar’s sporting champions were on hand to provide tips, demonstrations and motivation.

Established in 2012 as a public holiday to share and celebrate Qatar’s passion for sport and promote the importance of sport being an integral part of everyday life, the seventh edition of NSD has once again increased in strength and popularity as all corners of Qatar came alive through sport. In addition to the Aspire Park, the public were able to try new sports, pick up old ones and discover new talents at key hubs in Katara, Al Shaqab, Lusail, the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee and the Qatar Paralympic Committee, with a total of 72 events taking place around the country. Schools across Qatar also partnered with the Qatar School Sport Federation to stage fun and educational activities for their students of all ages.

President of the QOC, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, and Secretary General, H.E. Jassim Al Buenain participated in the Team Qatar Village activities with athletes and children as part of a tour of all the national federation activities around Qatar. Commenting on National Sport Day, H.E. Shk Joaan said:

“We are proud that Qatar is one of the only countries in the world and the first in the Middle East to dedicate a public holiday to National Sport Day. This year, the Qatar Olympic Committee has organised 72 sporting activities around Qatar for all ages and abilities as part of our vision and commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in sport.”

He continued, “Once again, National Sport Day has provided a unique platform to inspire and unite our nation through sport and share the Olympic spirit in one place. This year we’ve been committed to putting excitement and enjoyment at the heart of all the sporting activities on offer. We are determined to see an increase in physical activity in our country, not simply on the basis of the number of people taking part, but because of the wider value it will have for our collective health, wellbeing and happiness, as individuals and as a society.”