Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), participated in QF’s 2016 National Sport Day celebrations at Education City today.

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, also attended the National Sport Day festivities.

Under the theme of ‘Unlock Your Inner Athlete’, this year’s event featured over 60 different activities designed to encourage healthier, more active lifestyles. The event reflects QF’s commitment to creating and shaping a healthy, physically active society, while inspiring Qatari citizens to make positive, long-lasting changes in-line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030).

Kicking off the day’s activities, Her Highness Sheikha Moza, along with Her Excellency Sheikha Hind, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, launched the overwhelmingly-popular annual walkathon.

Hosted by Sidra Medical and Research Center, the 3km walkathon commenced outside Hamad bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Student Center. Participants were given the opportunity to explore the sprawling campus, while the route weaved past Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, as well as QF’s state-of-the-art Headquarters building. The walkathon concluded in the brand-new Oxygen Park.

After the walkathon, participants were then free to partake in other activities, which ranged from volleyball, basketball, and football tournaments, to traditional games and group fitness classes. This included sports such as carrom, tug of war, Zumba and Crossfit, which catered to men, women, and children of all athletic abilities.

Additionally, Oxygen Park also hosted pony rides organised by Al Shaqab for children aged between 5-13. This activity was supported by ExxonMobil, a major sponsor for Al Shaqab and numerous other QF projects. The equestrian centre, steeped in Qatari tradition, gave children the opportunity to get up close with the majestic animals.

This year marks the fifth annual National Sport Day since the official launch in 2012 by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. National Sport Day is part of a year-round programme that is designed to encourage the Qatari community to live active, healthy lifestyles, and reflects Qatar Foundation’s dedication to serving the local community.