United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of Pearl and Gewan Islands, celebrated National Sports Day, together with the General Retirement & Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA) and Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool).
The event took place simultaneously in the neighborhoods of Costa Malaz and Porto Arabia, where employees, residents and visitors of all ages participated in a variety of sporting, entertaining and challenging activities. Activities included a run, walk, fitness exercises and challenge games, among many other recreational activities.
The event brought together Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, Chairman and CEO of the UDC and also a member of the Board of Directors, and Yasser al-Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Cool, as well as members of the general management, senior officials and employees of all participating establishments.
On this occasion, Turki bin Mohamed al-Khater, President of the SVP and President of the General Authority for Pensions and Social Insurance, urged participants to adopt sport as a way of life, noting that it will help them protect against chronic diseases and their dangerous complications.
He said, “National Sports Day promotes awareness of preventive health concepts and instills a culture of ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’ among community members. Thus, I invite all participants to practice sports activities on a daily basis rather than on certain occasions, in order to build a dynamic society in accordance with the development policies of the State and the National Vision 2030.
Al-Khater said the National Sports Day has established its importance of adopting sport as a way of life in a way that improves physical and psychological health.
He further stated that the State of Qatar was a pioneer in valuing sport through its National Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy, noting that the National Sports Day raises awareness of the concept of health and safety and nurtures a culture where sport is a way of life.
He added: “This year’s Sports Day is of particular significance as it comes months before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is considered the region’s biggest international sporting event. I call on all employees and retirees to participate in National Sports Day activities and make sports an essential part of their daily lives to build a prosperous society that enjoys health and safety.
Al-Othman said, “National Sports Day reflects the nation’s belief in the importance of sports by emphasizing the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle. These values are more in line with the goals set by the human development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“The UDC continues to promote the sport through its events, with the aim of consolidating the country’s position as a regional sports centre. The high turnout further reflects participants’ belief in the values that National Sports Day aims to improve human well-being.
Highlighting the contribution of sports to public health, al-Othman called on employees to continue exercising, which will boost their energy and increase their productivity.
Each year, the UDC regularly organizes public sports-related events across The Pearl Island to encourage residents and visitors to participate in sports activities. Pearl Island remains a great place to lead a healthy lifestyle with plenty of green spaces, public parks, seafronts and various sports equipment and facilities that support a wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities. across the island.
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