Schools Olympic Program getting ready for sixth year launch

In preparation for the new season of the Schools Olympic Program (SOP), the Organizing Committee met on 20 June to discuss the launching of the program’s sixth year this September. The school year 2012-2013 will see the program explore the theme of “Sports and Investment.”

The Schools Olympic Program is held annually as a collaborative effort of the Olympic Committee, Supreme Education Council, Qatar School Sport Association and Qatar Paralympics Committee. The program aims to spread a culture of sports and to engage the entire community in an active and healthy lifestyle while retaining local values and traditions.

This year’s Schools Olympic Program partner is Enterprise Qatar, whose aim is to raise awareness about the business of sports and encourage Qatar’s younger generation to look to sports as both a healthy activity and for future careers.

The meeting of the Organizing Committee was led by Mr. Khalil Al Jaber, Director of Sports Affairs, Qatar Olympic Committee. Al Jaber confirmed that the committee began setting up its new strategy and work plan immediately following the fifth edition, which closed in June 2012.

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He said: “The Qatar Olympic Committee is developing various programs for our sixth year and forming committees to handle the sports competitions and associated attractions and activities in coordination with Supreme Education Council and other partners.”

“We are shaping this year’s competitions and various events to enhance the theme of ‘Sports and Investment’, while exploring ways to translate the public’s interest in sports into sports-related investment projects with financial returns and positive social impact,” he added.

Mr. Hassan Al Mohammadi, Qatar Olympic Committee Head of Media, said: “We are extremely excited about our sixth year of the Schools Olympic Program and we are confident that our plan will engage both businesses and the community at large. We are looking forward to starting the new season and invite both independent and private schools to join us.”

The Schools Olympic Program saw a 400 percent increase in student participation in its fifth year. Launched in 2007 with 7,000 students, enrollment reached over 20,000 students from 370 schools in the 2011- 2012 program.