Noor al-Malki, Qatar’s fastest woman, is one of the proud ambassadors of the National Sport Day. The event is slated to be held across Qatar on February 12.
From being virtually unknown, sprinter al-Malki became the talk of the town when it was announced that she would represent the State of Qatar at the London 2012 Olympic Games. At the age of 18, al-Malki was given the opportunity to be among the first female Qatari Olympians and share a spot alongside superstars such as Allyson Felix, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce and Carmelita Jeter.
Unfortunately, fate didn’t treat al-Malki fairly, as she was forced to retire after a couple of strides in her Olympic qualifying heat due to a leg injury. This disappointment, however, could not prevent her from becoming one of the most recognisable personalities in Qatar’s athletics world.
Today, al-Malki is happy to support the National Sport Day celebrations, an initiative adopted by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The young athlete is a fine example of how people can benefit from sports. Al-Malki, who was lucky to enjoy her family’s guidance and support to fulfil her ambitions, feels the National Sport Day initiative is a perfect opportunity to promote sports across the country and encourage people to put sedentary lifestyles behind them and spend time in gymnasiums instead.
“My health is better, I can feel my body is stronger, my immune system runs smoothly and my social life has bloomed. What else should I ask for? Practising sports, especially athletics, has changed my life. Not to mention that I am far more recognisable than before,” she says. “To be honest, I haven’t done many things yet. I want to keep on running and, by God’s will, become a role model for the next generation one day.”
Al-Malki advises people, particularly women, to embrace a sporting lifestyle. “I want to underline the need to practise. People must not hesitate to put their sneakers on and join a gym. Practising sports will make them feel more energetic, more powerful and healthier.”
On Qatar’s ambition to become an international sports hub, the Qatar athletics federation’s Best Female Athlete for 2011 says, “Initiatives such as the National Sport Day are advertising Qatar’s willingness to become a sporting nation, to encourage people to become sport addicted. We can show other nations that our society is adopting the culture of sports and is open to fresh ideas for a healthier and robust life”.
Asked about her plans, al-Malki says, “I want to run as fast as I can. I admit that setting a new national record in the 100m with a sub-12 second timing is my main target along with success at the Arab Championships.”