Stemming from its belief that a healthy mind lay in a healthy body, as well as from its keenness on spreading the culture of sports, the Gulf English School celebrated Qatar’s 6th National Sports Day (NSD) by hosting two exciting and fun-packed sports days at Al Gharafa Sports Club this week. Also in the spirit of this national event, GES Infant School ran a fitness week for its youngest pupils.
The National Sports Day was launched in 2012 to develop a physically and psychologically active and healthy society where individuals can build their capabilities and interact with their social environment. It seeks to educate people on the importance of physical activity and help develop and promote a culture of healthy living in the Qatari society. It further engages people in active and entertaining activities and provides information about different sports activities in the country.
The sporting feast began on Monday with GES Secondary Girls bracing the rain to participate wholeheartedly in the day’s events. Despite the weather, the girls showed great resilience as they took part in the full range of traditional athletics events. These included the 60m sprint, hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot putt, 200m, 400m and javelin.
Furthermore, the girl students filled the rest of their day with novelty events, which included the sack race, bat and ball race, target throw, medicine ball toss, speed bound, stork balance, obstacle relay and tug of war.
Top performers again this year included Hissa Al Kubaisi, Mezna Al Hemeidi, Mariam Abuarab, Jennifer Owen and Aisha Al Kubaisi. During the sports day, school records were shattered in the long jump, high jump and shot putt. More impressive, however, was the level of commitment to the team events… with the most exciting finishes being seen in the obstacle relay and tug-of-war!
“Our sports day celebration would contribute to promoting the sports culture among our students, encourage them to do physical exercise on a regular basis, and make them indulge in sport as a routine and daily lifestyle. No doubt, this would consequently improve their physical fitness and mental agility, said XX of GES.
GES Secondary Boys had their day on Wednesday, a day that tested their performance, but also tested their determination to perform to the best of their ability throughout the whole day. They finished strong with some of the best results being delivered at the end of a full day of sports activities. School records were broken in the 60m, 200, 400m and shot putt, which all made for a very exciting day. Top performers were Hassan Al Daffa, Nasser Al Hemeidi, Chijindu Omah, Hamza Tayeb, Mohamed Hadi, Abdulaziz Al Hatto and Jaber Al Kuwari.
GES pupils truly demonstrated their commitment to the ethos promoted through National Sports Day. Participation for all, coupled with opportunities to excel were clear themes for the day, which many students and staff members stated was their “best sports day ever!”
