Splendid Opening of Doha 2009 Gymnasiade

Gracing the ceremony with his presence was H.E. Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of Supreme Education Council Saad bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, who also delivered the introductory address and declared the competition open. Also gracing the event with his presence was Jean-Louis Boujon, President of International Schools Sport Federation (ISF) and representatives of Education Supreme Council. Fulfilling its commitment to bringing the world together through sport, Doha Gymnasiade 2009 got off to a rousing start with a gala opening ceremony that saw an attendance of over 1,500. The opening ceremony, held at the Aspire Dome Monday, included fine set pieces performed by leading global performing artists, a choreographed athlete parade, and the premiere of Doha Gymnasiade 2009’s official video. The ceremony was attended by athletes and delegates from all 42 participating countries, in a rare assemblage of diverse nationalities. A total of 20 events are scheduled to take place today, including finals for five events. The athletics events scheduled to take place today include 400m race for boys and girls, hammer throw, 100m, shot put, long jump, discus throw and triple jump. Gymnastics events scheduled to take place today include qualifications and final for Team and Individual – girls, in both Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics categories. Medal ceremonies for all finals will take place today. Doha Gymnasiade is the 14th edition of the Gymnasiade, and the first to be held outside Europe and China. The event, that is held once every four years, has so far been hosted by eight countries, including thrice by Italy, four times by France, and once each by Turkey, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus, China and Greece. Doha Gymnasiade 2009 runs until December 12.

The events that will be launched include “400 m”, “Hammer”, “100 m”, “400-meter hurdles”, “shot put”, “Javelin” for, “pole vault”, “high jump”, “long jump”, “2000 meters hurdles”, “3000 m” , “discus throw”, and “triple jump”. The participating countries in the Doha 2009 Gymnasiade are: Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Belorussia and Puerto Rico, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France and Djibouti, Hungary, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Luxembourg, Mernmar, Oman, Palestine, Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Tunisia, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Greece and Germany as well as to the delegation of our national team which is participating in the three games.

Eighty athletes from independent and private schools will represent Qatar in the Gymnasiade, event director Mr. Khalil Al Jaber said. We are happy to see many participating Arab countries and Qatar is the first Arab country to organise this important event, he added. Eight Arab countries — Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya — are participating in the Gymnasiade, Al Jaber said. Sixteen hundred athletes, in the age group of 15 to 17 years, from 42 countries, will test their skills in athletics, swimming and gymnastics during the five days event organised by the Supreme Council of Education, Qatar Olympic Committee and International School Sport Federation (ISSF) at the Aspire Zone, Khalifa Stadium and the Hamad Aquatic Complex. He said Qatar, like many other countries, is working on improving the talent of young athletes to prepare them for the first Youth Olympic Games to be held by the International Olympic Committee in Singapore in 2010. On his part, the ISSF president Jean Louis Boujon praised the political will of Qatar to boost sport in the region. He said that “ISSF accepted Qatar as a host country of the Gymnasiade after its candidacy met all the ISSF norms.” He said the participation in the Gymnasiade will help in promoting Olympic values among the youths as  the young participants have passion for sport, and They want to play with the spirits of peace, friendship and teamwork,” Boujon said, adding that “We have confidence in Qatar. We must encourage this region to organise such events.” It is worth mentioning that the event is organized once every four years, and has been hosted by eight countries so far. Italy organised it thrice, France four times and Turkey, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus, China and Greece once each.