TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA IN preparation for the new season of the Schools Olympic Program (SOP), the Organising Committee met recently to discuss the launching of the programme’s sixth year this September.

The school year 2012-2013 will see the programme explore the theme ‘Sports and Investment’.

The SOP is held annually as a collaborative effort of the Olympic Committee, Supreme Education Council, Qatar School Sport Association and Qatar Paralympics Committee.

The programme aims to spread a culture of sports and to engage the entire community in an active and healthy lifestyle while retaining local values and traditions.

SOP’s partner this year is Enterprise Qatar, whose aim is to raise awareness about the business of sports and encourage Qatar’s younger generation to look to sports as both healthy activity and for future careers.

The meeting of the Organising Committee was led by Khalil al Jaber, director of sports affairs at Qatar Olympic Committee. Jaber confirmed that the committee began setting up its new strategy and work plan immediately following the fifth edition, which closed in June 2012.

“The Qatar Olympic Committee is developing various programmes for our sixth year and forming committees to handle sports competitions and associated attractions and activities in coordination with Supreme Education Council and other partners,” he said.

“We are shaping this year’s competitions and various events to enhance the theme of ‘Sports and Investment’, while exploring ways to translate the people’s interest in sports; into sports-related investment projects with financial returns and a positive social impact,” Jaber added.

Hassan al Mohammadi, head of media at Qatar Olympic Committee, said, “We are excited about our sixth year of the SOP and we are confident that our plan will engage both businesses and the community at large.

We are looking forward to starting the new season and invite both independent and private schools to join us.” The SOP saw a 400 percent increase in student participation in its fifth year. Launched in 2007 with 7,000 students, enrollment reached over 20,000 students from 370 schools during the 2011-2012 programme.