By Raynald C Rivera

DOHA: Forty-seven four and five star hotels in Qatar are offering free gym and spa access and gym classes up to 50 percent discount on gym membership discounted healthy brunch buffets and special room packages including bed and healthy breakfast in celebration of National Sport Day tomorrow.

This pioneering initiative was a result of agreements between Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and the hotels which offer gym facilities.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday Saif Al Kuwari Director of International Cooperation at QTA underscored QTA’s commitment to supporting National Sport Day aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle among citizens and residents.

He thanked all the hotels who have supported the initiative making their sports facilities and specialty healthy cuisine more widely available for the duration of their offers.

“The number of hotels participating in this initiative is an evidence of the growth of the hospitality sector especially in the four- and five-star categories. There are now 16000 rooms being supplied by four- and five-star hotels and they form the majority of 20000 rooms that are currently available.”

There are now 119 hotels and hotel apartments in Qatar and more to open this year he said.

Al Kuwari also stressed the QTA’s role as a government arm that that ensures hotels are operating in the highest standards.

“With the launch of the new hotel classification system we have taken another step towards raising the bar for hotels” he said.

As the various participating hotels are providing different offers QTA advises residents to check a detailed listing of the hotel deals which it has made available on its website.

Prior reservations are required for all offers from hotels and those interested should contact the hotel directly to make a reservation.

QTA will also be celebrating National Sport Day 2016 with the #QatarInMotion social media campaign.

Residents will be asked to capture their view of Qatar while they are in motion – whether they are jumping rope jogging swimming or doing yoga through videos posted on Twitter or Instagram with the campaign’s hashtag.

Abdulrahman Mosallam Al Dosari Chairman of National Sport Day Committee said National Sport Day is a holiday that people should take seriously by making changes in their lifestyle.

He highlighted the enormous health challenges Qatar faces with alarming high obesity rates and rise in lifestyle diseases. “A quarter of youth living in Qatar are obese and suffering from diabetes. Seventeen percent of adults in Qatar are battling with diabetes.”

“Many people in Qatar don’t take the time to exercise and that’s why we have National Sport Day to remind people that they have to take the time to exercise.”

He said National Sport Day was created to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and it is the responsibility of private and public sector entities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all public and private entities in Qatar as well as community leaders to ensure that National Sport Day really is taken advantage of in the way the leadership intended to” he said.

Meanwhile the Cultural Village Foundation-Katara is organising over 80 entertaining healthy and sportive events in celebration of National Sport Day Ahmad Al Sayed deputy general manager for operation in Katara announced yesterday.

The events which range from marine and aerial activities to games such as basketball soccer and beach handball will take place at Katara Esplanade and beach. Some companies will also conduct medical checks and offer health tips.

“Culture and sports are integral parts in everyday life. They are responsible for the development of the human mind and body and have a positive and pivotal role in disseminating profound sublime and civilized thinking in the society. From this perception Katara was keen to diversify the sports and events of the National Sport Day that reached more than 80 events” said Al Sayed.

He said more than 40 entities and institutions across the State are hosting the various events targeting all age groups for the celebration under the slogan “Be the Champion”.

The Peninsula