Qatar is one of the few countries in the world to have a dedicated National Sports Day of its own.

Celebrated on the second Tuesday of every February, the event has grown more prominent with each passing year. It was no different this time around.

Thousands of people in Qatar made use of the national holiday to walk, run and move around in an attempt to get fitter.

The nation’s efforts were led from the front by HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who visited the Aspire Zone Foundation’s Football Skills Development Center and took part in a fun football game, reported Gulf Times.

مبهج هذا الانخراط الواسع أفرادا ومؤسسات في فعاليات اليوم الرياضي الذي يترافق هذا العام مع صعود مبهر للرياضة القطرية. فخورون بأسباير التي خرّجت جيلا جديدا من الرياضيين في شتى الألعاب وما زال لديها المزيد#اليوم_الرياضي_للدولة_٢٠١٩ pic.twitter.com/LIQ2Cvsw8V

— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) February 12, 2019

HH The Amir was also briefed about the centre’s facilities and state-of-the-art technologies used to train and develop the skills of its members.

HH The Amir was accompanied by HH The Amir’s Personal Representative Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and senior officials of the Qatar Football Association and Aspire Zone Foundation.

Meanwhile, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), led the celebrations and activities at the Education City, which welcomed the public with open arms, according to The Peninsula.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the @qatar_olympic, and HE Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani also participated and engaged with the community during today's activities at #QFNSD2019 inside #EducationCity. pic.twitter.com/NEikD3C3pP

— Qatar Foundation (@QF) February 12, 2019

QF Vice Chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and several other top officials attended the celebrations at QF.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani was on hand for National Sports Day activities at the Qatar Sports Club.

The Prime Minister, in his capacity as Lekhwiya force commander, also took part in celebrations at Lekhwiya arenas and grounds, reported Qatar Tribune.

HHE the prime minister, in his capacity as Lekhwiya force commander, also participated #NSD18 celebrations held at Lekhwiya arenas and grounds and some events organized by the national institutions for people with disabilities at Al Duhail and Al Sadd Clubs. #Qatar #MoI_Qatar pic.twitter.com/sKlEJD8Vuw

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) February 13, 2018

The Katara esplanade witnessed several sports and fun activities. With more than 70 different events and participation of 50 institutions from the public and private sector including 12 sports federation and around 15 health centres, the sports day attracted thousands of visitors who practised sports in a festive theme, according to another report in Qatar Tribune.

شهدت#كتارا مسابقات وأنشطة متعددة واقبالا جماهيريا غفيرا في أجواء إتسمت بالفرح والبهجة وذلك خلال الإحتفال بـ #اليوم_الرياضي للدولة. نلقاكم في فعاليات قادمة بإذن الله #الوعد2022 #كتارا_ملتقى_الثقافات #كتارا_وجهة_ثقافية_سياحية pic.twitter.com/F05oL83l9a

— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) February 12, 2019

This year’s National Sport Day was particularly special as the national football team recently won the Asian Cup for the first time, further inspiring the people to engage in sporting activities.

Qatari missions around the world also organised special Sport Day events.

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