Local Children Celebrate Active Living in Style

ASPIRE welcomed over 700 children as VIP guests last week, hosting a day of sporting fun for some of the youngest members of the Academy’s family. During the Open Day, members of ASPIRE Active children’s classes and Talent Centres visited the ASPIRE Dome and were treated to a broad range of entertaining pastimes, including games, traditional Qatari pursuits and more modern attractions. The day was designed to provide a reward for the children’s participation in the health and fitness activities offered by ASPIRE and strengthen the warm relationship between the Academy and its enthusiastic young patrons. After being welcomed by guides selected from the ASPIRE Active and Talent Centre staff teams, the young visitors were split up by age and gender and offered a program tailor-made for their group. Kids between four and five had fun on four bouncy castles and had their faces painted while watching entertainers dressed as their favorite cartoon characters. Girls between ten and sixteen took part in vigorous but enjoyable games routines; a feature which proved particularly popular. The boys, meanwhile, took part in football and other sporting activities. Virtually all of ASPIRE’s diverse sporting arenas were used during the day. The charms of Qatari heritage were also a cornerstone of the event. Young sword dancers performed for participants as well as displays of traditional fishing net production, information on pearl diving and the celebrated arts of henna. Customary Arabic breads and sweets were also available. A Qatari singer and oudist also performed popular, well-arranged songs and were warmly received, especially by the many parents in attendance. ASPIRE’s play area was available all day to occupy younger brothers and sisters. Baba Linga, the well-loved Qatari children’s television presenter, was also on-hand throughout the day, interacting with the children in his own inimitable style. At the end of the day, all of the children gathered, were fed a tasty, nutritious snack and sang ‘Al Salam al Amiri’, the Qatari national anthem. ASPIRE Active Head Gisela Hackfort said: “Our Open Day was a wonderful occasion for those children and families involved in ASPIRE Active classes and Talent Centres to celebrate their achievements in health and fitness, relax and have a great deal of fun. “The sheer numbers taking part is testament to just how far our community programs have reached within local society and to all the hard work that my team and the Talent Centre staff have produced to make the Academy’s goal of inspiring a genuinely active society a reality, not least among Qatar’s children.”