The Gulf Times reports a permanent forum has been formed to boost Doha’s 2016 Summer Olympic Games bid by using sports as a tool to promote awareness about the environment.
The new body – Sports and Environment Committee (SEC) – has seven members and will work under the Qatar National Olympic Committee (QNOC). The committee is headed by Saif Ali-al-Hajari, chairman of the Friends of Environment centre (FEC).
Dr al-Hajari told the media Saturday at the announcement of the committee, “environment has become a third pillar after culture and sports in any progressive country’s portfolio. We don’t aim to be just another committee, but take concrete action, which is highlighted in our first year’s slogan From Plan to Action”.
Dr. al-Hajari also announced that December 1 will be observed as a Sports and Environment Day in Qatar every year. He said, “we will be organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, school trips and whatever it takes to make sure that everyone in Qatar understands the local and international environmental dynamics”.
The committee is hoping to organize a regional environmental conference and invite all the sports clubs and federations.
When asked whether SEC was a requirement of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for Qatar’s 2016 bid Dr. al-Hajari said, “yes, all candidate cities need to showcase their environmental track record to IOC in order to be able to make a presentation. Officials of IOC will also make random inspections including talking to locals and residents during the Olympic bid. We need everyone in Qatar to be environmentally aware and help us achieve 2016”.
