In a press conference held this morning at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Mr. Abdulrahman bin Muslim Al-Dosari, Advisor to the Minister of Sports and Youth and Chairman of the National Sports Day Committee, announced the launch of this year’s National Sports Day activities for 2025, under the theme “On Time.”

In his speech, Mr. Abdullah Al-Dosari emphasized that the message of this year’s National Sports Day is to encourage more individuals and groups from the community to engage in sports. He stressed that time is not an obstacle, and anyone who wants to participate in sports can start right away, without using a lack of time due to work commitments or family obligations as an excuse.

The Ministry of Sports and Youth will host numerous events for this year’s National Sports Day, with participation from over 250 entities, including ministries, government institutions, organizations, and various public and private sectors. The events will take place across the country in public parks, stadiums, sports clubs, and other locations. Participants from these organizations, along with other community members of all ages, including citizens and residents, will take part in the National Sports Day activities tomorrow, Tuesday.

The Chairman of the National Sports Day Committee stated: “We meet today to celebrate 14 years since the launch of National Sports Day. There is no doubt that Qatar has always been committed to the well-being of its residents by investing in world-class sports and vital facilities, believing in the importance of sports in human development and its key role in sustainable development, towards achieving Qatar’s 2030 Vision.”

He pointed out that the leadership’s attention to sports is evident, as His Highness the Emir issued Amiri Decision No. 80 of 2011 to dedicate a national sports day to be held annually on the second Tuesday of February, to encourage everyone to participate in sports activities with family and colleagues and to enhance the culture of physical activity in individuals’ and society’s lives. Each entity is responsible for organizing sports activities suitable for their age groups, health status, and conditions, and every person should choose the sport that fits their abilities, age, and health to ensure continued participation.

**About the National Sports Day Award**

Mr. Al-Dosari mentioned that the Ministry of Sports and Youth launched, for the first time this year, the National Sports Day Award to encourage positive competition among various institutions and support the practice of physical activity throughout the year, not just on National Sports Day. The award period spans from October 1 of the previous year until July 31 of the current year. He added that the award is designed for employees of ministries, government and semi-government institutions, and private organizations, to promote positive competition among organizations and encourage them to provide a healthy and active work environment by maintaining physical activity throughout the year. The ministry will honor the organizations that organize the most activities during the year. The goal of this award is to maintain sports participation, which has become an essential requirement for achieving Qatar’s 2030 Vision, as sports play a vital role in human development and health, as well as in sustainable development and real investment.

**A Strategic Choice for the State**

The Chairman of the National Sports Day Committee also explained that the Ministry of Sports and Youth conducted a study to evaluate the performance of physical activity participation, with the collaboration of the Planning and Quality Department, the Sports Affairs Department, and the National Planning Council. The study confirmed the increase in the number of people engaging in sports across various age groups in public parks, gyms, walking paths, and cycling routes, as well as through community events organized by the Qatar Sports for All Federation. He added that sports have become not just a form of entertainment, but a strategic choice for the state, as evidenced by hosting major sporting events and Qatar’s prestigious global standing. “We focus on organizing family-oriented sports events so that everyone can engage in sports together, eliminating the excuse of not having enough time,” he stated. He also pointed out that walking and running sports are very popular, which is why, in 2025, they aim to host 52 marathons along with walking events to meet the aspirations of running enthusiasts.

**Sports for All Activities**

On his part, Mr. Abdullah Al-Dosari, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation, reviewed the activities organized by the Federation in 2024, which involved a total of 206,996 participants, an 8% increase over the previous year, through 745 events, including sports tournaments, school events, running races, and neighborhood playground activities, as well as the 365-Day Activity Program, which aims to make sports a way of life and create an aware society that understands the importance of sports. He added: “In the 2025 calendar, we aim to organize many community events that meet the aspirations of sports enthusiasts, such as World Obesity and Diabetes Day, Mental Health, and women-focused activities like padel, football, shooting, table tennis, ladies’ evening at Education City, and the Ladies’ Race Series, among others, as these events have attracted great participation from women.”

Regarding the mobile application for the “Qatar Sports for All Federation,” Al-Dosari explained: “The app includes many modern technological features and helps track health progress, such as the number of steps taken, health information, and sends notifications to encourage users.” He continued, “We aim to create community awareness about the importance of physical activity. The sports events organized by the Qatar Sports for All Federation target all individuals from various sectors, using the facilities and centers established by the state. The Federation also strives to inform people about sports venues, activities, and events through the Federation’s app, which provides users with advice and health tips through awareness messages.”