HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani opened yesterday the 21st General Assembly Meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) at Doha Sheraton Hotel with the participation of 206 countries.
Delivering a speech on the occasion, the Prime Minister said Qatar is proud to host the meeting in order to promote the means to develop the Olympic movement through the exchange of ideas as well as to achieve further development and strengthen relations and co-operation between all Olympic committees to serve the common interest and achieve the aspirations of the national committees.
The Prime Minister stressed that the annual meeting of ANOC General Assembly represents a true reflection of the diversity and unity of the Olympic family which has a tremendous ability to bring people and cultures together. It is also a tool to promote mutual understanding, friendship and respect, and to renounce violence, intolerance and extremism in various countries around the world.
The State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is keen to disseminate and promote the Olympic movement throughout the world which stems from Qatar’s firm faith in the important role of sport in changing the lives of individuals for the better, the Premier said.
He said Qatar is sparing no effort in supporting youth and enabling them to improve their lives and achieve their ambitions and hopes through sports. He said the country has hosted international and regional sporting events and tournaments, as well as developed plans and strategies to support the growth of all sports, referring in this regard to the organisation of School Olympic Programme competitions and the National Sport Day, which aims to spread the Olympic values and principles and to build a healthy and cohesive society.
In this regard, the Prime Minister and Interior Minister said that Qatar has an impressive infrastructure and sports facilities and utilities in accordance with the highest international standards to achieve the interests of the athletes and promote sports activities. He referred to the “Athletics Track Construction” project which has been completed last week and which will provide a new innovative methodological framework in Qatar to discover, develop and support talented athletes.
He also stressed that Qatar will continue its efforts as an active member of the international community to disseminate and promote all kinds of sports to meet the objectives sought by all and to work and co-operate with all national, international and regional committees in this regard.
The Prime Minister expressed his belief that this meeting will have a positive impact on establishing and promoting relationships between all Olympic committees and will find as well appropriate solutions for all issues that will be discussed during the meeting to achieve the desired goals. To Sport page 7,8