Qatar Press Centre marks 15 years of National Sport Day

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Press Center marked 15 years of the State s National Sport Day with a panel discussion titled National Sport Day: Results and...

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Press Center marked 15 years of the State’s National Sport Day with a panel discussion titled “National Sport Day: Results and Legacy,” held as part of its Press Club activities.

The session reviewed the achievements of the initiative since its launch in 2011 and examined its long-term impact on promoting a culture of sport, healthy lifestyles and broad community participation in physical activity.

The event featured Managing Editor of Al Sharq newspaper Abdulaziz Al Maarefi; Executive Director of the Qatar Sports For All Federation and member of the State’s National Sport Day Committee Abdullah Al Dosari; and was moderated by media figure Hussein Al Kathiri. The discussion drew strong attendance from journalists, media professionals and sports enthusiasts.

Opening the session, Al Kathiri highlighted the significance of National Sport Day as a pioneering national initiative launched in 2011 by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which designated the second Tuesday of February each year as an official paid holiday dedicated to sport. Over time, he noted, the initiative has evolved from a single annual event into an integral component of Qatari social culture, reinforcing sport as a daily lifestyle choice rather than a one-day activity.

Al Maarefi described Qatar’s experience as globally distinctive, emphasising that granting employees a paid holiday to engage in sport reflects the country’s commitment to enhancing quality of life. He attributed the initiative’s success to advanced infrastructure, including modern sports facilities, public parks and dedicated walking and running tracks distributed across the country, ensuring accessibility for all segments of society. He added that the Qatari model has attracted regional and international attention as a comprehensive, sustainable national project.