Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day

Qatalum’s staff turn up in large numbers at the MIC National Sports Day Event, to participate in organised sports activities and even take home a trophy.

Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day

Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day
A country-wide initiative led by the deputy emir HH Skeikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar National Sports Day was ratified through Emiri ​Decree 80 of 2011, according to which, the Tuesday in the second week of February, each year, will be a National Sports Day. Its objective is encouraging enjoyment, awareness of the importance of physical activity for health and teamwork in companies and other organisations. Nationwide, ministries and governmental bodies lined up events and encouraged employees to get involved.

Qatalum's involvement has been to partner with Mesaieed Industrial City and financially support a day of sporting activities, including: Football, three-on-three basketball, six aside cricket matches of 6 overs, a 6 kilometre 'Fun Run' and badminton, golf, tennis, football and rugby.

Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day  

Over 1000 people signed up for the Fun Run which began the day's events. Edward Wyk, Training and Development Supervisor was one of many from Qatalum. "I love to run and it's the best way for me to stay healthy." Additionally, over 350 took part in other events in what was a collective day of sport.

Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day
 

Notably, the Qatalum football entry took first place in the ‘for fun’ tournament. An early spectator to the matches was Kenyan Benjamin Makau from finance who said, “It’s a great day that we are here outside from our normal duties to play in the open and improve our fitness. I arrived early to practice and hope to play number 9 in the football team.”

4e.jpg
In the cricket, Ashish Pawar, a PTM operator in reduction, fresh from their win against the QAFAC team, said, “We started very well by winning the match in 4 overs as our team has a pretty good run rate, as these matches are all about good batting. It’s good to be outside playing the sport I love.”

Qatalum Participates in National Sports Day  

Fernando from the Philippines, an operator in reduction representing the Qatalum basketball team took time off his practise session to say, “We are enjoying the games a lot and hope there will be a next time and a future for basketball within Qatalum…”

Summing up the sentiment from National Sports Day, Dr Vimeshkumar Jani, Qatalum’s occupational health physician was present lending moral support and with an important message. “It’s a bright morning and I see all age groups celebrating the National Sports Day. On the back of our HSE internal “Heart Awareness” initiative, it’s very important in today’s busy, competitive life to take care of ones body. Sports need to be an integral part of life to give people a healthy heart, mind and body which is important for the sustainable growth of any company and Nation.”

This latter sentiment was reinforced by nearby Dr Terje Ellingsen, the medical officer of QAFCO who believes, “This is a positive initiative because we have a huge problem with our affluent and sedentary lifestyles leading to obesity and heart disease. We are concerned and people need to become more active. Mostly just getting up and moving about is a start, of course playing sports several times a week is ideal.”​