The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has partnered with Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. The two organisations were joined by athletes participating at the GCC Beach Games and Qatari schoolchildren to mark the initiative’s second year.

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The focus of this year’s edition is to highlight the power of sport as a catalyst for social change, development and peace.

The QOC made the most of hosting the 2nd GCC Beach Games in Doha to promote the initiative across the whole of the GCC. Athletes, National Olympic Committees, school children and the general public have united with the QOC and ROTA to celebrate the UN initiative, which is supported by the International Olympic Committee.

Speaking from Al Gharafa Club, one of the venues of the GCC Beach Games, Mohamed al-Fadala, Director of PR and Marketing at the QOC and Executive Director of the Schools Olympic Program, said: “Sport is an incredibly powerful tool for social change and community development, and we are fully supportive of the work that the UN and International Olympic Committee are doing to build a better world through sport.

“The GCC Beach Games is a fantastic opportunity to promote this initiative as it unites different nations through sport and highlights the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle in all members of society.

“The Qatar Olympic Committee is also committed to ensuring that the promotion of this initiative is more than just one day of celebration.

“The theme of this year’s Schools Olympic Program was ‘Sport and Peace’ and we were able to educate our school children about the importance of sport in developing and uniting society and spread the Olympic values of friendship and respect.

“It is wonderful to have children from the Schools Olympic Program here today so that they can see first-hand the power of sport in action.”

Reach Out to Asia is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser.

It aims to provide those in need across the Asian continent with quality education and provide support to its neighbouring countries as they overcome developmental difficulties.

The UN’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, in conjunction with the IOC, offers the opportunity to promote sport and physical activity as a universal tool and driver for social change.  

The IOC are celebrating the Day through a digital campaign on its social platforms featuring stories of popular Olympians and sports people who have used their fame to give back and contribute to social change through sport.

They are encouraging National Olympic Committees, athletes and sports organisations around their world to tweet their support for the day using the hash tag #sport4betterworld.