National Sport Day is a national holiday in Qatar, held annually on the second Tuesday in February, with the main objective of promoting a healthy lifestyle among its population.
This year, it falls on Tuesday, 13 February.
The first National Sport Day was held in 2012. The Amiri Resolution No 80 of 2011 designated the second Tuesday of February of each year to be National Sport Day for the State of Qatar, when everyone is encouraged to participate in sporting activities with colleagues and family.
The day’s main purpose is to promote sports and educate the population on ways to reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes.
Many ministries, government entities, and private companies organise Sport Day events for their employees as well as the general public. The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Aspire Zone, and various other sports and healthcare organisations play a prominent role at hosting events across the country.
Activities range from football to basketball, tennis to taekwondo, cycling to swimming, with countless free sporting sessions and social competitions, available to all.
Other sectors such as shopping and hospitality will provide special offers and discounts in celebration of the day.
The day is also viewed as an opportunity to bring communities closer together through sport, based on the sporting principles of team building, inclusion and unity, participation, fitness and health.
Along with the extensive sporting events across the country, National Sport Day also focuses on Qatari culture with traditional Al Shawahef rowing championships, acting as a reminder of Qatar’s ancient sporting heritage and the role it has played in the country’s most recent developments.
Other national holidays in Qatar include Eid Al Fir, Eid Al Adha and Qatar National Day on 18 December.
Other countries that have a National Sports Day
Bahrain: Every year in the second week of February between the dates 10-11-12-13,
India: 29 August, on the birth anniversary of hockey player Major Dhyan Chand
Iran: 17 October is known as Physical Education & Sport day, and from October 17 to 23 the week is named Physical Education & Sport Week.
Japan: Health and Sports Day is held on the second Monday of October.
Malaysia: On the second Saturday in October.
South Korea: Korean National Sports Festival is an annual sports competition held for a full week each October.
Source: Hukoomi
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