Doha to Welcome Sporting Greats of the Future
Almost two thousand of the world’s most talented young athletes will be coming to Doha this December to take part in the Doha Gymnasiade 2009, an essential competition for young sporting champions on the road to international success.
Students between the ages of 13-17 from more than 40 nations across the world will be competing in athletics, swimming and gymnastics at the Aspire Zone sport venues.
The event is organised by the Doha Gymnasiade 2009 Organising Committee (DGOC) in close collaboration with the Education Supreme Council, the Qatar Olympic Committee and the International School Sport Federation. In the first event of its kind in the Middle East, the next generation of Olympic heroes and world record holders will come together in a celebration of sporting excellence and cultural understanding.
The competition is a demonstration of Qatar’s commitment to the pursuit of sporting excellence and youth development. Khalifa Stadium, Aspire Dome and Hamad Aquatic Centre, all located within the Aspire Zone, have been chosen as the venues for the competition.
Khaleel Al Jabir, Director General, Doha Gymnasiade 2009 Organising Committee,
described the event as the perfect example of Qatar’s sporting goals. “The Doha Gymnasiade 2009 is a display of the best next-generation athletes and we are determined to play a part in exactly this sort of event. This is an exhibition of world class talent, an exhibition of world class facilities and a great opportunity for the young people of the Middle East to see what they can achieve. We are providing the region’s youth with all the resources one could possibly want, and more than that, we are instilling the inspiration, the motivation and the pride necessary to make a world class athlete.â€
“To see the discipline and commitment of these international students is a great way to understand just how much effort is required, and by hosting and competing in these events, our own young athletes will draw an immense amount of knowledge and experience,†Al Jabir added.
Qatar has a global reputation for hosting international sporting events including the Asian Games 2006, the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships, the ATP Qatar Exxon Mobil tennis tournaments, the European PGA Qatar Masters golf tournaments, the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix, FINA Diving World Series, Equestrian Global Champions Tour and other international sports events. In 2010, Qatar will host the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics, and in 2011 the AFC Asian Cup football tournament will be held in Qatar.
The Gymnasiade 2009 takes place between 7-12 December 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Severin Roald
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
+974 435 1113
s.roald@asdaa.com
Comments