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Tribune News Network
Doha
The 12th edition of the Schools Olympic Program launch was marked by a very high and distinguished attendance of officials at the Tariq Bin Ziyad School on Tuesday morning.
Those present included Jassim al Buainain, Secretary-General, Qatar Olympic Committee, Rabia al Kaabi, President of Qatar Sports School Federation (QSSF), Dr. Ibrahim al Naimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Director of the Olympic Sports Department Saif al Nuaimi, Director of the Olympic Academy Hamad al Nuaimi, Principal of the School Hamad al Mannai, Nasser al Malki, Board Member of the Qatar School Sports Federation, Fahd Thani Zara, Director of the Development Department, Qatar Football Association, and many other officials.
The opening was marked by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and Qatar's national anthem.
This year, the Schools Olympic Program is being unveiled in a new version which will see more participation in terms of schools and students.
The first of the competitions will include basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis, table tennis, fencing and gymnastics, weightlifting, swimming, chess and taekwondo, besides special needs competitions. The competition will be organised with a special day at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar Sports Club.
Expressing happiness on the distinguished start, QSSF President Rabia al Kaabi said,"We now have 420 schools and a large number of students which represents a great success for the new version of the Schools Olympic Program.
"This great participation also reflects on the importance of sport for everyone's health which is an important goal for the Program.
"The school community is the target of the Schools Olympic Program. Presenting the Program to a number of talented students for clubs and associations as well as the Aspire Academy represents a great success for the Program and I wish success to all of them."
Tareq Bin Ziyad School Principal Hamad al Mannai said,"It is a great honour for our school to have been chosen for the opening of Schools Olympic Program. We are keen to participate actively in the national events, and it is our endeavour to harness the students' potential to participate in such cherished events."
QSSA Secretary-General and president of Qatar Gymnastics Federation Ali al Hitmi said that the 12th edition of the Schools Olympic Program is a continuation of the success.
"The simplicity of the opening of this season shows our desire to find interaction with the schools and takes us closer to them. Our aim is to encourage students to practice sport through the environment in which they live," he said.
We have chosen to hold matches in this season's edition in schools so that the students enjoy their environment. It would also help create the spirit and enthusiasm where the pride of their school will push the student players to give off their best," he added.
The Director of Student Assessment Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Fahad Ali al Naama said the Schools Olympic Program is one of the leading sports programs in the Middle East.
"The Ministry of Education is the foundation of this program, providing talent and budding players to different sports teams," he said.
"The continuation of the Program for 12 years confirms its success and that has achieved the desired goal having spotted many talents and produced top players in many sports."
Khalil Al Jaber, Director of Sports Affairs at the Olympic Committee and President of the Swimming Federation said,"The Olympic Program has been a national project since its first launch. It aims to discover talent and presented many talents in various games. We at the swimming federation have benefited greatly from the Olympic Program in discovering many talents. I wish all the federations to make great use of it and follow their competitions to choose talents in all games."
Dr. Salah Salem, technical expert of QSSA said that officials of the Olympic Program are looking to discover more talent through this year's edition.
