Qatar- February 2024- The Ministry and its partners organized a walking march on this occasion, with the participation of Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, and several health sector leaders and employees in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City. The events included various sports and awareness activities as well.

Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, confirmed that the participation of the different society groups in National Sports Day demonstrates the increased community awareness of the importance of practicing sports and physical activity regularly and the importance of following a healthy lifestyle to enhance health and well-being of the population.

HE explained that the Ministry of Public Health adopts important programs and projects aiming at promoting physical activity among all groups of society, and Sports Day represents a major support for the Ministry’s efforts in this regard, especially supporting awareness programs and activities to increase the rate of physical activity among community members and reduce hours of sedentariness, as well as implementing national policies, plans, and guidelines in this field to enhance the health and well-being of society.

She said: “This year’s Sport Day comes after all the municipalities of the State of Qatar have obtained the status of Healthy City from the World Health Organization, as the first country to have all its municipalities obtain this status, which enhances the health and well-being of the population, and embodies the commitment to continue working to improve health, noting that the State has provided the infrastructure for practicing physical activity, in parks, multiple sports facilities, and provide pedestrian and bicycle paths to encourage all segments of society to practice appropriate physical activities and adopt healthy lifestyles.”

Her Excellency the Minister of Public Health called on the population to commit to exercising as a daily behavior, according to the recommended levels for different groups, to maintain better health, as sport contributes to improving physical and mental health.

Her Excellency added: “This year’s Sport Day is distinguished as it comes after winning of the AFC Asian Football Cup Qatar 2023. The national team retained the Asian Cup for the second consecutive time, which demonstrates the great successful progress in sports in the country. Moreover, the organization of the tournament was distinguished, as part of the experience in organization major sport events in Qatar according to promoting health and sports criteria.

On the occasion of Sports Day, the Ministry of Public Health and its partners intensify awareness on the importance of sports and physical activity to promoting health and quality of life.

Health sector employees and their families participated in many sports, recreational, and awareness-raising activities, which aimed to reinforce the message adopted by the Sports Day slogan for the second consecutive year (The choice is yours). It supports the population’s health choices to exercise daily behavior in order to improve the physical and mental health of community members.