Doha: With the National Sport Day approaching, QatarDebate Center, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, launched the opening session of the “Qatar Connects” program to discuss sports issues in the State of Qatar, with the participation of a group of Qatari experts in the fields of fitness and sports, who outlined their personal experiences and achievements, highlighting the role of sports in improving the quality of life.
According to Qatar News Agency, the session was moderated by Mead Al Emadi, Events and Fan Experience Director at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and witnessed a wide interaction from participants. It addressed Qatari youth initiatives in the field of sports, such as health clubs and sports events that inspired the public.
Participants in the session included CEO of the Samla Endurance Race, Azzam Al Mannai; fitness trainer, Arwa Al Sulaiti; mountaineer and adventurer, Fahad Badar; and Co-founder of Erada Fitness and fitness trainer at CrossFit, Jassim Musa. They highlighted the importance of sport in the development of society and the promotion of health and social culture, noting their personal achievements and the transformative power of sport in Qatar. The role of sport in promoting social cohesion and bringing together athletes from different cultures and age groups was also emphasized.
In this context, Arwa Al Sulaiti mentioned that sport is crucial in achieving psychological and physical balance, as it helps relieve stress and stimulates the body to secrete the hormone of happiness, which improves mood and strengthens immunity.
Fahad Badar explained that sport instills determination, sharing that despite being injured in 2021 by “Frostbite”, he recovered and aspires to continue his passion in mountaineering. He added that sport is a continuous lifestyle that enhances physical and mental health.
Jassim Moussa praised Qatar’s sporting achievements, noting that it is one of the first countries to celebrate a national sports day. This reflects the leadership’s interest in consolidating sports culture and encouraging everyone to practice sports.
Azzam Al Mannai spoke about the “Samla” endurance race’s role in spreading sports awareness, explaining that the race aims to positively impact participants’ lives and build a supportive sports environment. He pointed out that the next edition will witness higher levels of challenge, with expectations of unprecedented participation from Qatari youth.
At the session’s conclusion, participants underscored the need to integrate sports into daily life and promote physical activity in society, especially considering the reduced mobility associated with the digital age, which affects public health.