By Aamena Ahmed
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Students at all six universities in Education City celebrated the country?s first National Sports Day with the rest of Qatar on Tuesday, taking advantage of the holiday, which celebrates active and healthy lifestyles, to host tournaments in such sports as bowling, table tennis, basketball and volleyball.
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?The idea was to display just a glimpse of our daily activities at the Recreation Center,? said the Supervisor of the Recreation Center, Alex Rosca, who, in collaboration with Hamad bin Khalifa University (HKBU) student center staff, organized the events.
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?It is also a great way to get people to adapt sports to their daily activities and showcase student talent,? said Curt Kenoyer, director of the HKBU student center.
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National Sports Day was officially declared a holiday by the ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. ?Many consider Qatar?s initiative?the sports holiday replaces Valentine?s Day this year?as part of its drive to be a global leader in the sports arena and also a milestone in its fight against rising obesity rates in the tiny Gulf sheikhdom.
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According to Ellen Wartella, professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University, Qatar has the sixth highest obesity rates ?in the world.
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At the event, EC staff, students and their families participated in many activities, including ?table tennis, bowling competitions, badminton tournaments, basketball and volleyball playoffs throughout the day.
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Ahmed and Ibrahim Al-Hershi, 14-year-old twins, won the basketball finals. They said their victory was achieved through the skills they learned from their coach.
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?He taught us offensive and defensive techniques really well,? said Ahmed Al-Hershi.
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?This is a great way for kids to take part in sports and enjoy themselves,? said their coach, Bryan Rowsom, a former NBA professional basketball player who now works at the Al Rayyan Sports Club.
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?It instills the love for sports and living healthy from an early age,? added Sonia Ben Slimane, a staff member at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.
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After three weeks of planning, Sports Day in EC capped off its activities by showcasing a soccer match, a marital arts performance and dance and gymnastic acts.
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?Everyone gathered here today? people of all ages ? just to celebrate an active lifestyle,? said Kate Abellanes, a volunteer for the event.
Source: http://www.thedailyq.org/blog/2012/02/15/qatar-celebrates-sports-not-valentines/
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