Fencing, martial arts and fun-filled fitness activities for all ages highlighted Ooredoo’s National Sport Day (NSD) celebration at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park yesterday.
A large number of people, especially children, patiently waited in long queues to take part in almost all the sporting events at the venue.
Visitors could dress and fight like professional fencers using adopted weapons, equipment and uniform. Christophe Clement, a former coach of the Qatar National Fencing Team, noted that the same activity received a huge response last year, attracting between 1,000 and 1,200 people.
The former fencing athlete from France wants to promote the sport, even to people with disabilities (PWDs).
This year, he launched for the first time in Qatar fencing for PWDs which is sponsored by Ooredoo. He is also working on a partnership with the Qatar Paralympic Committee to launch “Disabled Wheelchair Fencing.”
Fencing activities organised by the Qatar Fencing Federation were also held on the Doha Corniche and Aspire Park as part of the Sport Day celebrations. According to Clement, about 1,000 students in Doha practice fencing in schools.
A number of martial arts lessons set up at the MIA park such as kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai, among others, also drew many visitors.
Razor kickboxing instructor and coach Mohamed Ezzaim told Gulf Times that people in Qatar have a keen interest in martial arts. He also reiterated the importance of sport, particularly martial arts, in people’s daily lives. A number of visitors lauded this year’s Sport Day celebration at MIA Park saying the events and activities were well-organised and distinct.