The Peninsula
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) and its affiliated member organisations are set to launch one of the biggest National Sport Day celebrations in Qatar, laying on a programme that offers the perfect blend of sporting activities and family fun.
For its sixth annual NSD celebration, Aspire Zone Foundation will introduce a number of unique sporting activities, available in Qatar for the first time. These include several innovative Eastern and European sports, tailored and presented in a way that appeals to local preferences and expectations.
“Team at Aspire Zone Foundation has worked tirelessly to organise a range of unique and thrilling family-oriented sporting activities designed to create an ideal sporting atmosphere in a family-friendly environment. This supports Aspire Zone Foundation’s aim of bringing members of the local community together and giving them the opportunity to enjoy unique and memorable experiences,” said Nasser Abdullah Al Hajri (pictured), Director of PR and Communications at the foundation.
All members of the community who are keen to participate in group activities and spend some quality time together can do so through the various sporting events being organised on Aspire Zone’s outdoor pitch (10). Open from 9am to 3pm, these include popular sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, calisthenics demonstrations, parachute games, mini telematch competitions, and movement with music.
Aspire Zone Foundation has also allocated a large space in Pitch 10 for young children to engage in fun activities and games in a safe and secure environment. These include bouncy castles, obstacle courses, and football skills for kids. Soft play areas for children under the age of two are also available, meaning that even the youngest members of the family can take part in the fun.
Meanwhile, mothers and daughters seeking a private and comfortable space can participate in women-only activities that take place on the indoor pitches of Aspire Dome from 10am until 1pm. The activities will help them gain new skills in gymnastics and basketball under the supervision of coaches from Aspire Academy’s Multi-Sport Skill Development programme coaches.
Uniquely for Qatar, AZF has incorporated into its activities this year a new sporting trend that is growing in popularity – “Nordic walking” — an affordable sporting activity that burns large numbers of calories and helps achieve total body fitness.
Originating from the Scandinavian region in northern Europe, several recent studies have emphasised the Nordic walk’s crucial role in improving overall physical and mental health.
Drawing on the extensive experience of their staff, world-renowned coaches from Aspetar – one of Aspire Zone Foundation’s member organsiations – will be situated in five stations to demonstrate the sport to visitors above the age of 18 who are interested in trying it. The demonstrations will start from 11am in front of Aspetar’s state-of-the-art West Wing.
In collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Doha, ‘Kendo,’ one of Japan’s oldest martial arts will be demonstrated and visitors can try it out under the supervision of highly trained professionals, starting at 9am on pitch 10.
Visitors to Aspire Zone will also be able to enjoy a wide range of indoor activities, starting from 10am in Aspire Dome. These include indoor wall climbing, individual football activity, as well as fitness and gym classes delivered by ASPIRE ACTIVE programme.
In addition, Aspire Academy will organise a ‘Beat the Champion’ event, made up of a series of sporting challenges that include a 20 metre sprint, ball throwing, vertical jumps and stationary bike races.
This year’s programme includes Aspire Zone’s annual Fun Run and the ‘5,000 Step Journey’, with over 12 educational stations that provide valuable tips and advice for participants about physical activity and healthy lifestyles. More information more about Aspire Zone Foundation’s programmes and events is available on its website, social media channels and ‘Life in Aspire’ smartphone app.