The finals of the ninth Schools Olympic Programme (SOP) concluded recently, marking the end of a competition that saw more than 30,000 students take part in over 13 Olympic sports.
Organised by the Qatar Olympic Committee and Supreme Education Council and exclusively sponsored by Maersk Oil Qatar, the SOP promotes the role of sports and exercise in achieving a healthier lifestyle among Qatar’s youth.
Maersk Oil’s sponsorship of the SOP is part of its “Action for Qatar” social investment programme, which is supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 by delivering real, tangible and long-term benefits to Qatar for generations to come, according to a statement.
The SOP is an annual sporting event, taking place over eight months and culminating in a series of finals that take place at various sporting venues in Qatar. More than 30,000 students from over 300 schools across the country were given the opportunity to compete in Olympic and Paralympic sports during this year’s activities, the statement noted.
Besides promoting an active, healthy lifestyle for young people, participants are also educated on a particular theme each year, such as integrity, culture or community, in line with the Olympic values.
Lewis Affleck, managing director of Maersk Oil Qatar, said: “Sport has an important place in Qatar National Vision 2030 as a catalyst for the country’s development and it plays a central role in promoting health and wellbeing among the population.
“Our exclusive sponsorship of the SOP from 2013-2016 shows our commitment to Qatar for generations to come, by supporting young people in developing healthy lifestyles through sports activities and fun competition.”