Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) celebrated the World Walking Day at Aspire Park last week, part of its community programme and an event that is annually commemorated under the umbrella of the Association For International Sport for All (TAFISA).

It was marked by wide participation of students and a number of veteran Qatari athletes.

Among the prominent personalities who joined the event include world football star Samuel Eto’o, media celebrities Majid Al Khulaifi and Aqeel Al Janahi, retired football player and current coach Youssef Adam, and retired national table tennis team player Hamad Al Hammadi.

QOC Director of Sports Affairs Khalil Al Jaber was also there together with a number of Aspire staff, Qatar Scouts, QOC staff and students representing 12 schools. All participants took part in the kilometre-long walk around Aspire Park.

According to Al Jaber, World Walking Day is important because it is part of the QOC community programme and manifests their interest in spreading the love of sports to all. He said that they are very pleased to see participation from different community sectors in the event.

We invite everyone to practice sports of any kind, and venture into walking as it combats diseases and can be done any time. We thank Al Meera and Tadawi Medical Centre for their partnership in this year’s World Walking Day event.’

Abdulaziz Al Ghanim, Head of Community Sports Division at QOC Sports Affairs Department, said that QOC is keen to share the event with the whole world every year, to promote walking, and its significant health benefits. He also expressed delight at the high turnout of student and walking enthusiasts.

Coach Youssef Adam said that celebrating a special day for walking sends a strong message to everyone, especially the youth. Sports, in general, help students focus and is also compatible with the development of mental abilities.

The event highlights that everyone, without exception, can do exercises, even in non-competitive sporting activities, to enhance physical strength. Walking is the least stressful, safest and most acceptable sport to all people at any stage of life.

For more information about the recent event, visit the QOC website at olympic.qa.