Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF)’s Ramadan Sports Festival has concluded following over two weeks of sports, social and cultural activities,
The event attracted a record 40,000 visitors, according to a statement from AZF.
During the festival period, a wide range of activities took place at each of AZF’s facilities and premises. These attracted thousands of visitors who came to enjoy the combination of entertainment, sports, competitions and religious events, the statement notes, adding that the festival was popular with participants of all ages and a range of nationalities.
Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri, marketing director at AZF, said: “As this year’s festival draws to a close, I hope that we have fulfilled our promise by presenting a comprehensive collection of events and activities. We look forward to another successful festival next year.”
During the 17-day event, Aspire Zone partnered with Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) to host a “Bashaa’ir Ar-Rahmah” event. The programme for this included a series of religious lectures titled “Ramadan Erada”, delivered by several well-known Islamic clerics, including Dr Aaidh al-Qarni, Mohamed al-Oraifi, Omar Abdulkafi and other respected figures.   
A number of lectures were hosted at The Torch Doha. A total of more than 11,000 participants attended them in person, in addition to the large numbers who watched the lectures via live streaming or on YouTube. Footage of the lectures was also made available in sign language.
In addition, the Aspire Mosque hosted 12 Qur’an readers to lead the Isha and Taraweeh prayers. In another activity, between 600 and 800 Iftar meals were distributed daily as part of the “Road Iftar” programme created by Aspire Zone in co-operation with RAF.  
Another initiative organised by AZF for the first time this year was Freej Aspire, designed to celebrate and revive Qatari customs and traditions. The Freej was inaugurated by HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage.   
In total, more than 25,000  people visited Freej Aspire. Various activities have proven highly popular on social media. The Garangao night was particularly successful, with more than 5,000 people attending. The special evening event was a source of enjoyment for children, a number of elderly visitors and groups of visitors with special needs. During the event, the main Freej courtyard featured a range of entertainment activities, children’s shows and performances of national songs.
AZF also co-operated with Qatar Charity to introduce the “Sloom Ahel Qatar” programme, designed to revive Qatari traditions and customs. The programme included lectures, forums, traditional competitions as well as opportunities for visitors to learn about photography, sailing, falcon training and a variety of other traditional activities.
This is for the fourth consecutive year that AZF has organised the Ramadan Sports Festival. Around 1,300 people and 100 teams took part in 12 competitions for men and women, in addition to a number of events organised for people with special needs.
This year’s festival expanded to include a number of new events and competitions, including the Aspire Banks Tournament organised in partnership with Qatar Central Bank and involving eight teams; the Aspire Embassies Tournament, which involved 12 teams from a number of diplomatic bodies in Qatar; as well as junior futsal, women’s futsal and the Aspire staff futsal.
AZF also collaborated with the Qatar Paralympic Committee to hold competitions for people with special needs and the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee to organise women’s competitions.