From online workouts and exercises for children to inspirational talks and inclusive sporting demonstrations, Qatar Foundation (QF) is helping people get into the National Sports Day spirit – safely and without the need to leave their homes.
An array of virtual activities hosted by the organisation will be available for all members of the community to enjoy when Qatar stages a national celebration of sport and well-being, opening up opportunities to stay active and embrace a healthy lifestyle while still adhering to health guidelines amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Qatar Foundation is also teaming up with Qatar Museums and the US Embassy in Doha to focus on inclusive, ability-friendly, virtual sessions in celebration of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
Professional instructors from gyms and fitness centres across Qatar will be holding sessions that are open to everyone through a dedicated National Sports Day section on the QF website, while a series of activities for all ages are now open for registration through the newly-launched Education City App.
Virtual Sports Day
The virtual National Sports Day offering at Qatar Foundation reflects their commitment to encourage, empower and enable people to make sports and physical activity a central part of their lives, and to provide opportunities for the community to maintain and improve their physical and mental well-being. With public safety remaining of paramount importance as Qatar continues to combat the pandemic, this year’s activities are taken online, but will still provide something for everyone to enjoy – for free.
Fitness Classes and Health Talks
The programme of activities on the QF website, which run from 8 am to 2 pm, will be introduced by Stars of Science host Khalid Al Jumaily. Eight classes throughout the day, each lasting 30 to 45 minutes, will focus on stretching, strength and conditioning, workout sessions, Muay Thai and Yoga. There will also be a gymnastics class and fitness boot camp for children.
In between classes, talks will be held featuring sports personalities such as Qatari athlete Mariam Farid and Olympic swimmer Nada Arakji as well as experts from Sidra Medicine, Aspetar and the Behavioral Healthcare Center. Talks will focus on topics which include living a balanced lifestyle; women, youth and sports development; mental well-being; exercise and mental health; and how to succeed in sports. All of these sessions and talks can be accessed without registration via qf.org.qa.
Community Engagement Activities
The QF Community Engagement team also organised a series of activities and registration is now open through the Education City App.
- A virtual full-body workout session with trainers from top US gym Dogpound, open to participants 12 to 50 years old
- A fun fitness activity called Puppypound for children four to 12 years old
- Online activities with Best Buddies, an organisation dedicated to ensuring inclusivity for people with developmental challenges, open to participants five years and older with mobility and hearing impairments and learning challenges.
These activities have been organised in partnership with the US Embassy in Qatar, as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture programme led by Qatar Museums.
Inclusive Sessions
People can also use the Education City App to register for fully-inclusive sessions focused on football, cricket, swimming, hand cycling, wheelchair fencing, and archery, provided by the QF Ability-Friendly Programme in collaboration with the Generation Amazing programme of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Accessible Qatar and Clement Academy.
There is also the chance to participate in an online e-sports tournament and Ki-Gong classes, as well as to discover more about the Akhlaquna initiative of Qatar Foundation and how it contributes to nurturing a society driven by strong moral values and behaviours.
For more information on National Sports Day activities at Qatar Foundation, visit qf.org.qa.
More sports day events and offers here: Qatar National Sports Day 2021
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