Aspire Zone Foundation’s Qatar National Day activities begin
Doha: Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) kicked off its Qatar National Day (QND) activities with a celebration for its employees on Thursday. The festivities comprised cultural activities including the traditional ‘Ardha’ sword dance performed by Aspire Academy student-athletes and AZF staff, a falconry and camel corner, and family activities including Henna drawings and a traditional Majlis.
The event was attended by AZF CEO Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Aspire Academy Deputy Director General Ali Salem Afifa and other senior staff members from Aspire Logistics, Academy and Aspetar in addition to the academy students.
Speaking about the event, Al Suwaidi said: “The QND’s annual celebration is a testament to Qatar’s success and its blessings thanks to the leadership of his HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. More than 1,000 employees from 87 nationalities from Aspire Zone and its various member organisations – Aspire Academy, Aspire Logistics and Aspetar, were joined by our great student-athletes and took part in marking this great day to express their love for the country that has given us so many opportunities and celebrate its ongoing achievements and growth. This shows that this day is a proud day for everyone who lives here, locals and residents alike.”
AZF’s QND activities will resume on Saturday, with thrilling events lined up for all local community members. From 3 pm to 5 pm, Aspire Park’s skyline will witness one of the biggest parasailing performances conducted by the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya).
Lekhwiya’s special forces will showcase the outstanding horses and police dogs who serve alongside the special forces every day. These will include displays of various horse formations and barrier jumps, and a tent pegging demonstration, an ancient sport during which riders overcome an obstacle course while riding a horse and wielding a sword starting behind Burgeri restaurant.
Throughout the weekend after sunset, Aspire Park will also dazzle attendees with its beautiful display of maroon LED flowers on the lake, complementing the colourful decorations in place around the park.
AZF, in collaboration with the Doha Film Institute (DFI) will display the ‘Dari Qatar’ Film at 5.15 pm on Sunday evening. Following the screening, the DFI will choose the top five winners in the ‘short film’ competition launched earlier this month by DFI to mark QND. The short films are inspired by speeches from HH the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
