Tribune News Network
Doha
More than 220 male and female players from the communities of the ASEAN member states residing in Qatar participated in the inaugural ASEAN Community Sports Day organised by the Indonesian Embassy and its communities at the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) on December 1, 2023.
The event was attended by the seven ASEAN countries’ ambassadors in Qatar namely HE Mohamed Bahrin Abu Bakar of Brunei, HE Ridwan Hassan of Indonesia (Host), HE Zamshari Shaharan of Malaysia, HE Lillibeth V. Pono of the Philippines, HE Wong Chow Ming of Singapore, HE Sira Swangsilpa of Thailand, and HE Tran Duc Hung of Vietnam. UDST PresidentDr. Salem Al Naemi and Maryam Al Hammadi from the Ministry of Culture were also present at the opening of the tournament.
The communities of the seven ASEAN nations (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand) came together in a spectacular showcase of athletic prowess and regional unity. The event transcended borders, creating an atmosphere where competition transformed into collaboration and diversity into shared pride. From thrilling football matches to intense badminton duels, the day celebrated not just sports but the harmonious blend of cultures within the ASEAN community. Exciting sports events took centre stage as sports competitions and culinary delights enchanted spectators, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
Ambassador of Indonesia, HE Ridwan Hassan as the host of the event, quoted Nelson Mandela to state: “Sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does”. The event witnessed a participation of over 220 players, both men and women from the ASEAN communities in Qatar. The tournament included a number of sports activities such as football, badminton, table tennis, basketball, volleyball and tug of war. Spectators and their families enjoyed a fun-filled event gathering with fellow ASEAN countrymen and women while also enjoying the traditional food delicacies from some of the countries at the food bazaar.
Indonesia emerge as the grand champion of the tournament, securing the gold medals for football, men’s badminton, and men’s table tennis.As the sun set on December 1, the ASEAN Sports Day left an indelible mark—a testament to the power of sport in fostering regional pride and unity. The inaugural event sets the stage for future celebrations, promising a legacy of athletic excellence and shared camaraderie across the ASEAN nations in Qatar.
