Qatar Affirms Paying Particular Attention to Sports at National, Regional and International Levels

Qatar Affirms Paying Particular Attention to Sports at National, Regional and International Levels

New York – Information Office – 13 November

The State of Qatar has affirmed that it pays particular attention to sports at the national, regional and international levels, pointing out that Doha had successfully hosted major sporting events such as the 2006 Asian Olympic Games.

It also noted the invaluable contribution of sport to the creation of an environment of tolerance and understanding and the promotion of cooperation and solidarity at the national and international levels.

This came in a statement delivered by Sawsan Badr Saeed Al Abdullah, member of the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, on the theme "Sport for development and peace: building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal".

The State of Qatar, which used to host major international events successfully, looks forward to hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Al Abdullah said, adding that this will be the first time that our region has hosted such an important event, highlighting in this regard, the central role of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) in preparation for the hosting of the State of Qatar for the World Cup, and make this event one of the most successful and most important events of its kind, and an opportunity to promote the values of peace, development and understanding among all peoples of the world.

She also said that the State of Qatar firmly believes in the importance of the role played by sports in promoting intercultural dialogue, peace and development, and within the framework of consolidating its national vision 2030 and implementing the State's vision to achieve an active and healthy society that builds the individual's capabilities and enhances its interaction with its social environment.

Qatar was the first to adopt a national sports day, celebrated annually on the second Tuesday of February each year, starting in 2012, she added.

She noted that In line with Qatar's firm belief in the importance of sport, it was also a member of the Friends of Sport for Development and Peace Group, which Qatar chaired in Geneva in 2013, in partnership with Costa Rica.

She also praised the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in Qatar to raise the level of sport in the country to the level of excellence, noting also the efforts of the Qatar Olympic Committee to promote the development of sports and the organization of many programs, initiatives and events.

As part of the Qatar Olympic Committee's efforts to support the efforts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to improve the living conditions of refugee youth around the world through sport, the Committee provided support to the International Olympic Committee for Refugees, she said.

She said that the State of Qatar's 2030 Sustainable Development Plan of 2030 emphasized the importance of sport as an important enabling element for sustainable development, while recognizing the growing contribution of sports to development and peace, given its role in the promotion of peace, promote tolerance, respect and participation in the empowerment of women, youth, individuals and communities.

The Assembly's draft resolution entitled "Sport for Development and Peace", adopted today, reflects Qatar's belief in the contribution of sport to Education, sustainable development, peace, cooperation and solidarity at the local, regional and international levels, and creating an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples, she underlined.