Doha: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) is set to organize the Ramadan Football Championship for Communities from March 6 to 14, reinforcing its commitment to promoting the right of workers to engage in sports.
According to Qatar News Agency, the NHRC announced that eight community teams will take part in the tournament, which is being held in collaboration with the Qatar Sports for All Federation and in coordination with the community offices housed at the NHRC headquarters.
The championship aims to emphasize the fundamental right of workers to participate in sports, recognizing physical activity as essential to both physical and mental well-being. The NHRC highlighted that engaging in sports not only improves overall health but also serves as an effective means to reduce stress, enhance productivity, and boost performance.
Director of the Programs and Education Department at NHRC, Hamad Salem Al Hajri, stated: "Organizing this championship seeks to foster a spirit of tolerance and brotherhood among Qatar's diverse communities. Sports have a unique ability to unite people from different cultural backgrounds while promoting shared values of diversity, integrity, and respect." He further emphasized that sports serve as a powerful communication tool, helping workers from various professions and nationalities build team spirit, cooperation, and social bonds, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
The tournament will feature eight teams, comprising four African and four Asian communities: The African Teams are Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Uganda. The Asian Teams are India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
The opening matches on Mar. 6 will see Kenya vs. Nigeria and India vs. the Philippines. On Mar. 7 Ghana will face Uganda and Bangladesh will face the Philippines. The semi-finals are scheduled for March 13, followed by the final and third-place matches on March 14.
Al Hajri underscored the growing global connection between human rights and sports, noting that sports are more than just a form of entertainment they are a key avenue for exercising and enjoying fundamental rights. He also highlighted the role of sports in combating racism and fostering inclusivity on a global scale.
He called on public and private sector institutions to actively encourage their employees to participate in sports activities, including football, to help create a healthy balance between work and personal life.