The 2024 Summer Sports Program, which concluded last Thursday, marked a significant step forward in community sports in Qatar. The program aims to contribute to creating a future where sports participation and the importance of physical activity are key aspects of daily life, making sports a widespread culture within the community. These activities and events are supervised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth and organized by the Qatar Sports for All Federation through a calendar that evolves year after year. Over the past three years, the program has seen steady growth, with 575 events in 2022, increasing to 683 in 2023, and reaching more than 720 sports and community events in 2024.
Sports Strategy
According to statistics released yesterday by the Qatar Sports for All Federation, 7,958 individuals from various segments of society participated in the summer sports program, which is based on the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s strategy of making sports activities accessible to all members of the community. The activities were spread across different regions of the country and made available throughout most of the year to meet community needs. The summer vacation period is particularly important as it represents a critical time for families and parents, especially considering the various challenges faced today, including engaging children in physical activities.
The summer sports program for all was built on four main pillars: hosting the first fitness camp as part of the sports-for-all activities, teaching swimming, promoting Muay Thai, and instilling self-defense culture among young children and youth in general. The fourth pillar focuses on strengthening and affirming the presence of the “365 Days of Activity” program, which takes place in public parks throughout the year.
Various gyms, sports fields, swimming pools, sports clubs, youth centers, and public parks were buzzing with activities since the program began on June 23 and concluded last Thursday after being extended for an additional two weeks in response to parents’ requests.
Fitness Camp
The fitness camp at Lusail Sports Hall, the first of its kind, was a great success, drawing significant community engagement. The camp saw the participation of 2,100 boys and girls aged 6 to 10 years, with 1,470 boys and 630 girls, averaging 60 participants per day over 32 days, spanning eight weeks.
Muay Thai
The summer program was also marked by continuous Muay Thai training sessions, a combat sport that encompasses the basic rules of self-defense. Training was held at several sports clubs and youth centers and saw notable participation, with 1,223 boys aged 7 to 18 years taking part in these sessions to learn some self-defense techniques. The training was conducted at various sports facilities, with clubs such as Al-Arabi, Qatar, Al-Gharafa, Al-Rayyan, Al-Wakra, and Al-Sailiya, along with youth centers in Al-Dakhira, Simaisma, and Al-Dhakhira, hosting the activities over 48 days.
Swimming Lessons
The swimming lessons program also saw significant participation, with 259 boys and girls aged 8 to 14 years taking part in the lessons over 36 days at the swimming pools of Al-Arabi, Al-Wakra, Al-Khor clubs, and Al-Jumailiyah Youth Center. Swimming lessons have become a key feature of the summer calendar of the Sports for All Federation, with the federation maintaining this program throughout the summer for boys and girls.
365 Days of Activity
Given the importance that the Sports for All Federation places on its central program “365 Days of Activity,” which runs throughout the year, it was integrated into the summer sports program. This inclusion allowed the summer program to cater to all age groups in the community, from 7 to 65 years old. Over the months of June and July, a total of 4,376 participants took part, including 1,978 men and 2,398 women, with an average of 72 participants per day over 60 days. The training sessions were held on the green lawns of public parks in Aspire, Al-Rayyan, Al-Gharafa, and Al-Laqta, in collaboration with the Aspire Zone Foundation, the Ministry of Municipality represented by the Gardens Department of Al-Rayyan Municipality, and the Public Works Authority.
