Top dignitaries attend the launch of the 7th National Sports Day activities at Expo 2020 Dubai on Wednesday. WAM

Today marks the launch of the 7th National Sports Day activities featuring the participation of all segments of society, under the theme "The UAE Unites Us."

The National Sports Day is held in response to the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to specify a sports day in which all sports, physical and heritage activities are practised.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee, Chairman of the High Committee for the National Sports Day Initiative, called upon all segments of society, institutions, and bodies to organise various activities and practice the concepts of friendship, cooperation, and brotherhood, which are among the key principles of Olympic movement.

Participants during a walk at Expo 2020 Dubai. WAM

The walking event features the participation of a huge number of public and sports figures. The Dubai Police band will march through all pavilions in the designated walking path. It sends a clear message that sport brings together all age groups of different nationalities to paint a bright picture at the world’s biggest cultural gathering. It enables holding the National Sports Day in a distinctive atmosphere of joy, happiness, and pleasure.

The walking event concludes at the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub, which will host 33 different sports activities, including football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, yoga for women, and cycling, in addition to various physical activities.

Athletes perform during the ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai. 

On the side-lines of the accompanying events, some exhibition sports performances in fencing, taekwondo, karate, and bodybuilding will be held to diversify the activities and present a distinctive version of the National Sports Day.

Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Executive Team of the National Sports Day initiative, discussed various preparations in the last meeting of the executive working group for the National Sports Day initiative, in the presence of Azza Bint Sulaiman, Assistant Secretary-General for Administrative and Financial Affairs of the National Olympic Committee, and members of the work team.

Sports figures and visitors during the ceremony at Expo 2020. WAM

Dr Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, Chairman of the Executive Office, stated that National Sports Day is an invitation to all members of society to practice sport and make it a part of their daily lifestyle, in view of its terrific role in sustaining physical and mental health. Al Falasi explained that the step reflects the keenness of the leadership to ensure the health and safety of the community, besides providing the environment to practise various types of sports.

"Today, we witness the seventh edition of this initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage the practice of diverse sports and heritage activities. This year's edition has a special flavour — it is being held at Expo 2020 Dubai, which ensures extensive participation from different Nationalities, enhancing its role as a site of cultural convergence. But this time it embraces the title of ‘Sport’," Dr Al Falasi said.

"Organising the main event at Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity to demonstrate the harmony between diverse cultures from all countries of the world, and take advantage of the distinctive environment nurtured by Expo 2020 Dubai in the assembly and communication between all visitors in presenting a version of high Olympic principles and values such as cooperation, peace, affection and brotherhood. The work teams of the National Olympic Committee and the General

Authority of Sports will cooperate to facilitate the participants' tasks by providing all means of support.

"Under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the National Sports Day initiative, everyone is invited to make this event a success by launching activities and designing events in a manner that suits each category," Dr Al Falasi said in conclusion.

WAM