So How Was Your Qatar National Sports Day 2012?

So how was your Qatar National Sports Day 2012? According to most of our friends in Qatar, they all had a blast. It was a great holiday in Qatar and everybody had great fun living the "SPORTS IS A LIFESTYLE" mantra.

We explored the choice of going to Katara or Corniche but eventually ended up in Aspire. Katara all day activities received such great feedback as well as the Corniche events. As for us, we endured a loongggggg and grueling QNB Mini- Marathon in Aspire. It was such a lousy organization on the part of QNB. They did ask participants to register online yet ended up accepting registration during the day which resulted in way too many participants that they can handle as well as well the long wait. Seriously, two hours of lining up in the registration is just too much. And the husband ended up not getting give aways for participants. It was not really worth it.

And after the mini-marathon, it almost got violent as they can't decide who actually won the race or who is eligible for "prizes". Seriously, I thought stampede will actually happen. Actually, seemed that there was already, the place was such a mess indeed. LOUSY!

While the husband was in queue, Mommy and the kids went to the closest bouncy castles in Aspire. The area we went to had a big crowd - magic show, free food and mascots. It was so unsafe though to go through the bouncy castles. The power went on and off - hence, the bouncy castles got inflated while kids were playing on it - Danger Galore! But other wise, it's okay. But of course, I mind a lot about the kids bumping their head and body in the event of deflated bouncy castle - so we didn't enjoy it much. Picture the frustration in the kids as their mother drag them out of the bouncy castle minute after they started playing. Oh gosh!

kids having fun for one full minute before this gets deflated - bummer!

Well, there are mascots and free rides - this we get to enjoy a bit.

Anyway, rant over.

Moving on to the KIDS LESSONS for the day - SPORTS IS FUN, HEALTHY AND COMPETITION AGAINST YOURSELF IS THE BEST! 


We didn't focus on their father winning the race, but more on TRYING HARD to complete the race.  Rest  assured that we would be participating in more races and marathons and the kids will be joining too. Living in Qatar has lots of perks, including the opportunity to teach the importance of sports. 

start of the race - all smiles!

"I made it to the finish line!"

"Can I die now? "

It was an awesome day! Thank you, Qatar!




Keep exploring!

Qatar National Sports Day 2012

It's official! Qatar National Sports Day on the 14th February 2012 is Qatar's National Holiday. And since it's the first time this year of this holiday, it is promising to be a holiday to remember already.

Emiri Decision No. 80 of 2011: Second Tuesday of February every year shall be observed as the National Sports Day. All government ministries and agencies and firms and establishments in the private sector shall do the needful to organise a wide range of sports activities on that day for different age groups. It shall be deemed as an official paid holiday. 

So what to do on this holiday which happened to be coinciding this year with Valentine's Day? There are really lots of choices. Top of our choice is the activities laid out by Katara. 

The day will kick start with a relaxing session of Yoga on the beach followed by a second ladies only yoga session, which will take place as part of the women’s fitness day. Ladies only activities include Zumba and a full body work out. Concurrently, a Katara Mini Marathon will also take place including a special run for under 16’s which will take place between 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The day will feature a table tennis zone and games of beach volleyball and beach football in addition to an exclusive football match that will add to the excitement. The match will host the former national Qatari team who will take on the current national team. Several professional fencing athletes will also compete in a fencing show which will take place outside of the amphitheater at 2:00pm and 5:00pm.

On the other hand, Katara’s Kidszone will offer games and activities for different age groups, including competitions, running and jumping ropes. To ensure a memorable experience, 150 bicycles will be on display and available free of charge for visitors to enjoy the breathtaking views of Katara.

Second choice will be at Aspire where the Turk might be joining the fun run (finger crossed that he pushed through with this!) .

The highlight of Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) celebrations will be an open-to-all public walkathon “Discover Aspire Zone Facilities” where participants will have the opportunity to involve themselves in a relaxed, non-competitive 3km walk around the award-winning stadia and venues and learn about the world-class facilities that exist at AZF. 

A special feature of the National Sports Day celebrations within the Aspire Zone will be the launching of Qatar’s 2020 Olympic Games application file, which will begin its journey to the IOC in Switzerland on this day. 

And there's also a walkathon arranged in Corniche.


We'll just choose the one with less traffic and probably decide on the spot!


Happy National Sports Day, Qatar!

 Keep exploring!