(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Rizwan Rehmat / The Peninsula
Regional sports powerhouse Qatar yesterday underlined its ambition to keep producing world-class athletes who are capable of creating their own benchmark of excellence at multi-discipline events like the Olympic Games.
This was said by Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani who emphasised the role of youngsters in the taking the sporting movement forward in Qatar and around the world.
Sheikh Joaan was speaking at a gathering where QOC unveiled it's new logo and a sports vision that would ‘transform Qatar into a country capable of producing top performances at the international platform'.
Yesterday's ceremony was also attended by high jump World Champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, Olympic show jumping finalist Sheikh Ali Al Thani, Paralympic silver medallist Abdulrahman Abdelqader, Asian shooting medallist Khulood Al Khalaf and Qatar's first female to compete in two Olympics Nada Arakji, among scores of other sports dignitaries.
In August, Barshim won the world high jump title exactly a year after bagging the silver at the Rio Olympic Games. In 2012 Barshim had won the bronze at the London Olympics.
In the last decade, Qatari athletes have excelled in track and field, shooting, handball, basketball and motor sport events while winning a high tally of medals at volleyball, cycling, swimming and gymnastics events held around the Arab world.
'Today is one of the most important moments in Qatar's sporting past, present or future. It is a game-changing moment that will open sport up to more people than ever before, create new heroes and fuel future success, Sheikh Joaan said.
'It feels like a sporting revolution and the start of something new. We want the people of Qatar to feel this change, share it, celebrate it, connect to our athletes and support them on their inspirational journeys. We want to unite our whole nation through the power of sport. We are all Team Qatar and I can't wait for us all to seize this opportunity, he added.
Yesterday's star-studded gathering also saw the launch of a new Team Qatar website, the first-ever Team Qatar Club and re-designed Team Qatar social media channels.
'There is no better day to unveil our new strategy. Qatar has achieved outstanding success in the last decade or so, Sheikh Joaan said.
'The sporting success has been possible because we believe in building societies through sports. The sons and daughters of this soil have lifted our spirit in Qatar. We will continue to strive for more glory. That's our vision and we have the ability to build and improve our performances, he said.
'Qatar is one of the few countries in the world to establish a National Sports Day. We want to build on this. We hope to achieve more. Therefore we will take the sports vision of the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with renewed vigour to make things happen in the world of sports, Sheikh Joaan said.
'Qatar lays great emphasis on sports. We will continue to work. QOC has worked out a new strategy. We want to bring the world together using sports as a platform. We want to achieve success together, the QOC chairman said to thunderous applause at Qatar National Convention Centre.
'It is our pleasure to unveil the new logo. This reflects our ambitions and shows the pride of our people. We want to educate our youth through sports. Sports is the catalyst for change. You have to show what it means. Sports brings people of different cultures together and it makes us respect each other.
'Sports is hope and opportunity. Sports urges us to give the best version of ourselves. In 2006, I carried the Doha Asian Games Torch Relay on land, water and in the air. We got so much respect from the world's largest continent. That's what sport does to everyone - it brings joy and respect, Sheikh Joaan said.
'Every day, Qatar athletes are making themselves better through perseverance and fair play. We want to connect with our communities through our athletes. We want to do this through players, training staff, clubs and the citizens, Sheikh Joaan said.
'We are part of the international sporting movement. Let's make an effort to move forward with passion, he concluded.
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