OREANDA-NEWS. February 19, 2013. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum, participated in the sports activities jointly organized by QP, ExxonMobil Qatar and Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat) in line with celebration of National Sports Day 2013, reported the press-centre of QP. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Sada was welcomed on his arrival at the Al-Ghazal Club by many senior QP officials as well as by Mr. Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc., and Mr. Muhammad Ghannam, Managing Director of Nakilat.

H.E. the Minister toured the venue together with the senior officials and other distinguished guests, and he warmly greeted the employees and their families as they engaged in various sports activities. The Al-Ghazal Club hosted fun-filled competitions in table tennis, billiards, football, “babyfoot” or foosball, basketball, tennis, snooker as well as in a walking marathon for men and women. Another QP club, the RAA Boat & Beach Club, was the venue for beach volleyball and a golf tournament.

During his visit, H.E. Dr. Al-Sada and the other distinguished guests also took part in a yoga session, during which a trainer demonstrated breathing techniques and easy-to-do postures to induce relaxation and help relieve stress.

“After the highly successful launching of this annual event last year, Qatar’s National Sports Day is now truly something that we all look forward to every year as it brings everyone together in a day-long celebration of fun and friendship through sports. We are proud to support this initiative of His Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The energy and industry sector in particular will continue to take the lead in ensuring that this event is marked in a big way every year,” said H.E. Dr. Al-Sada in his comments on the occasion.

“National Sports Day is a great opportunity to support the State of Qatar in raising awareness of sports in Qatar and encouraging everyone to get active,” said Mr. Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc. “As a long-standing partner, we are pleased to participate in this celebration with Qatar Petroleum and Nakilat and provide our employees the chance to join together in a day of active and fun events to further the camaraderie between our organizations."

Mr. Muhammad Ghannam, Managing Director of Nakilat, said: “This second National Sports Day has been a real success. There is no doubt that this wonderful initiative will continue to make a real difference to the lives of our employees and the rest of Qatar’s residents for years to come. Getting healthy is easy in an active and fun environment like the one created here today for this event, which Nakilat has had the honor of co-hosting alongside QP and ExxonMobil.”
Among the other activities held during the day were three sessions of 10-minute fitness workouts, which attracted the participation of many employees and their families. Fun-filled activities were also organized specifically for kids, and the children also enjoyed the face painting and henna tattoo, which were available both at Al-Ghazal Club and the RAA Boat & Beach Club.

The joint celebration of the National Sports Day 2013 by QP, ExxonMobil Qatar and Nakilat concluded with the awarding of trophies, medals and gifts to the winners of the various sports competitions.