DOHA, February 15, 2023 – HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani honored the champions of the first marathon of the School Olympic Program, which took place on Tuesday in the garden of Qatar Foundation in conjunction with the National Sport Day (NSD), in the presence of HE QOC Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain and HE President of the Qatar School Sports Association (QSSA) Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani.
The race witnessed the participation of 1,200 male and female students, in the presence of a large crowd of parents who were keen to be present and provide support to their children.
The race was launched in stages, with different distances according to the age group (1 km, 2 km, and 3 km). It witnessed very strong competition among the participants.
After the end of the competitions, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani, QSSA Executive Director and Executive Director of the Schools Olympic Program Abdulrahman Al Muftah, and financial director of the School Olympic Program Mohammed Al Meer honored the winners.
Student Rowan Lockwood came in first place at the primary level, and student Yasmin Qasi ranked first in the girls’ category. At the preparatory level, student Benjamin Young came in first place for boys and student Zahra Haseeb was in first place for girls.
At the secondary level, the student Prilanam Eliner came in first place for boys, and the student Hajar Imad Kahla in first place for girls.
Dukhan English School won first place for boys in the primary stage and the Lycee Voltaire School won first place for girls.
In the preparatory stage competitions, Dukhan English School came in first place for boys and MES Indian School in first place for girls.
Doha British School won first place for boys and Lycee Voltaire School won first place for girls in secondary stage competitions.
HE President of the Qatar School Sports Association (QSSA) Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al-Thani expressed his happiness with the distinguished atmosphere witnessed by the 1st School Olympic Program marathon and the wide participation of students in various educational stages.
His Excellency extended thanks to QF and Aspire Academy for their cooperation and partnership with the School Olympic Program and for their contribution to the success of this distinguished sporting event.
The plan is for the next edition of the race to witness the participation of about 4,000 students, he added.
Regarding holding the race on National Sport Day, His Excellency explained that the idea was to start the race on National Sport Day, given its importance and to urge students to practice sports in line with the NSD goals.
Executive Director of the Schools Olympic Program Abdulrahman Al Muftah said the first edition of the school sports day race is just the beginning, where QSSA is developing plans to develop the race in the future, especially after the success of the first edition, noting the competitive atmosphere among students of different ages.
Financial director of the School Olympic Program Mohammed Abdullah Al Meer pointed out that the School Olympic program competitions will be held throughout the year, as there are 18 competitions in various individual and team games.
Source: Qatar Olympic Committee
