Highlights of the event: Terry Fox Run and Tahadi Bus Pull Challenge
University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) celebrated Qatar’s National Sport Day (NSD), with a full day of physical activities, competitions and fun across campus. Students, staff and their families took part in a full line up of events.
Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of University of Doha for Science and Technology said: “At UDST, we are passionate about providing our students, staff and the community at large with opportunities to be active and healthy. Qatar National Sport Day is the perfect chance for us to go the extra mile, and a fine example of Qatar’s investment in human capital, and commitment to health and well-being. Sport and physical fitness play key roles in the country’s National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), with regards to hosting international sporting events and also ensuring that citizens and residents of Qatar have ample opportunity to excel and grow as athletes. We are proud that UDST has the MENA region’s only FISU Platinum Level Healthy Campus, and National Sport Day is a great way to celebrate and demonstrate our commitment to sport, the wellbeing of our student and staff community, and to the country.”
The day started early at UDST with a Terry Fox Run – an annual tradition started by the Terry Fox Foundation in Canada, in the form of a fun run to honor the late athlete Terry Fox, while raising money for charity. The Doha Terry Fox Run across campus at UDST was a resounding success and a wonderful opportunity for participants and spectators to donate towards cancer research in Qatar. Swimming, basketball and football challenges were held concurrently throughout the morning, as well as Paris St Germain Kids’ football activities on the grass football pitch at the Event Park; a 9 x 9 student football tournament on the University’s turf pitch; a cricket tournament and the popular Battle of the Colleges, where students and staff representatives from individual colleges clubbed together, chasing victory for their teams. The day’s scheduled events ended on a high with the impressive Tahadi Bus Pull - a physical challenge where UDST students, staff and faculty tested their strength, might and willpower.
“The opportunity to bring our University community together and celebrate health and fitness on National Sport Day was fantastic. Sport and wellness are core elements of University life, as is the belief that we can achieve great things through collaboration and teamwork. The range of challenging team events and fun group activities on offer to students, staff and their families this year made it a very special holiday indeed. Moving one step further, we gifted the local community free rental of all Sport and Wellness facilities after 2.00pm, to encourage participation and share our love of sport with as many people as possible.” said Anthony Martin, Manager of the Sport and Wellness department
Sport culture is big at UDST. The men’s and women's varsity teams for multiple sports compete in both intercollegiate and community leagues, and tournaments across Qatar and the region. The University has recently participated in the 9th GCC tournament for Universities and Higher Education Institutions and won 6 medals.
The University FITClub program is the biggest club on campus offering one-on-one consultations, nutrition advice and exercise programming. UDST Sport and Wellness also offer students valuable work experience where the department supports accreditations in fitness, coaching and lifeguarding providing student employees work skills that they can use for future employment. Students and employees can also take advantage of state-of-the-art sport and wellness facilities including swimming pools, sports halls, tennis courts, turf and natural grass football pitches, a cricket ground, indoor and outdoor Padel-tennis courts, and a beach volleyball court. All of these facilities are available to the public as UDST endeavors to make opportunities for health and well-being more accessible to the wider community.
