CHIPPING IN: Fahed, the Qatar 2015 Mascot with Ritz-Carlton Doha chefs and the representatives of Qatar 2015 Organising Committee preparing food for donation. RIGHT: HANDS-ON: Iftar meal boxes being prepared at Ritz-Carlton Doha.

By Umer Nangiana

Joining hands for a charitable cause, The Ritz-Carlton Doha and The Qatar 2015 24th Men’s Handball World Championship Organising Committee have pledged to prepare and donate Iftar meal boxes every day to the people in need with particular focus on labourers and the less fortunate. Representatives from the two establishments have been visiting camp areas to hand over the meal boxes each day of the holy month.

“Every contribution we make is an opportunity to leave an imprint on our communities. It is through this collection of imprints that we can make a meaningful difference,” said Hoss Vetry, Cluster General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Hotels Doha.

The Ritz-Carlton Doha said that it hopes to use this initiative, it dubs as its Community Footprints programme, in raising further awareness on the importance of sharing and giving back to society. “At The Ritz-Carlton Doha we have built a legacy of extraordinary service. This tradition extends into our Community Footprints programme and inspires us to impact positively the lives of others,” said a statement released by the hotel.

Both the Ritz-Carlton Doha and The Handball Organising Committee on July 6 organised a special Iftar celebration for a group of 70 children and adults from Dhreima orphanage.

“The yearly tradition of the hotel provides an ideal opportunity to reflect collectively on the less fortunate while breaking the fast in togetherness,” said the Ritz-Carlton. During the Iftar, representatives from the hotel spent time with children, educating them on the secrets of the preparation and the nutrition values of each dish and traditional juices which were enjoyed at the Ramadan Tent followed by games, activities and gifts for every child.

The Handball Organising Committee is also joined by Qatar Red Crescent in the initiative. Qatar 2015’s mascot Fahed helped distribute the Iftar boxes. He will be present at Qatar 2015 activities throughout the holy month in an effort to make handball one of the most popular sports in the region and encouraging a sense of national pride and sportsmanship, the Organising Committee said in its statement.

Volunteers from all participating organisations have come together to enjoy Iftar with workers who are away from home and their families during Ramadan.

Through the joint initiative, 300 Iftar boxes are being distributed each day during Ramadan. “The initiative is part of a series of community events that have been lined up during this special time and the response from people on the first day was extremely positive,” added the Qatar 2015 statement.

The Iftar boxes are filled with healthy food items as part of Fahed’s mission to promote a healthier lifestyle. Fahed, the mascot is enthusiastically committed to spreading joy across Qatar during the holy month, reaching out to all sections of the community, said the committee.

The first day of Ramadan also saw opening of a special tent sponsored by Qatar 2015 on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Doha. The tent features a range of fun games and activities designed to encourage the community to become more engaged with sport, particularly handball.

The Ritz-Carlton Doha’s Community Footprints social and environmental responsibility strategy is embedded into its service values, long range plan and business operations.

“It is defined by the distinctive Community Footprints logo of a heart formed by footprints, symbolising the genuine commitment to our local communities by all ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton,” the hotel said.

This commitment is focused in three important areas and integrated into a series of signature programmes including child well-being, environmental responsibility and hunger and poverty relief, it added.

The 24th Men’s Handball World Championship will take place in Doha from January 15 to February 1, 2015. It will make Qatar the only Gulf country and the second in the Middle East to host the event after Egypt in 1999.

In line with its national vision 2030, Qatar has geared up to become one of the leading states in the fields of sports legacy development and sports events in the world. Qatar aims at creating awareness for the sport of handball besides maintaining further increase in the current championship milestones through the successful organisation of this high profile sporting event under the leadership of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Organising Committee and in close collaboration with the International Handball Federation (IHF).

The committee’s vision, goals and key milestones include ensuring community participation, upholding the traditions of Qatar and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.