The Local Organising Committee of the World Championships has marked the countdown yesterday with volunteers, teachers and aspiring athletes gathering in various schools to celebrate the event, which will be held in the city from September 27 to October 6.

Hundreds of students came together across Doha with schools including Doha College and Sherborne Qatar, showing their love for athletics, as the whole country gets set to welcome over 2,000 of the world’s elite athletes in the biggest ever sporting event to be held in the Middle East.

It has been a day of full marks in schools throughout Qatar yesterday.

Children have been replicating their sporting heroes, taking part in a number of athletic disciplines such as the 100m sprint and team relay races whilst showing their support of the Championships.

Doha College, which includes the first female Qatari Olympian, Nada Arakji, as part of its alumni, has sport engrained into its curriculum for over 2,000 pupils, with the campus being one of many schools to supporter the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.

Joining Doha College in their celebration of 100 days to go until the Championships, was Sheikha Asma Al Thani, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Local Organising Committee, who commented:  “It is overwhelming to see so much support from young sporting fans as the whole country gets excited for the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.

“The Championships is a perfect platform to inspire the next generation in Qatar, whilst also allowing everybody to play their part and be at a sporting event, which for many people, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world’s best athletes in action.

 “Now we have just 100 days to go and the excitement continues to grow and I encourage everybody to get their tickets and not miss out on what will be a fantastic family-fun event for ten days.”

Principal of Doha College, Dr Steffen Sommer said: “Sport at Doha College has a special place and we believe in the notion of healthy body, healthy mind to help us be a high performing school, which is only possible with having sport firmly embedded.”

“Students in Doha College are engaged in sport on a regular basis. The leadership skills, the work together through sport, is a skill that translates into high achievement in the classroom,” he added.

“Our children realise that having the Championships coming to Qatar is a once in a life timeline opportunity for so many and they are privileged to be in Qatar at this time in their lives,” said the Doha College Principal.

Schools throughout Qatar will play a significant role in the build-up and during the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, with the Local Organising Committee creating educational competitions which will see youngsters have opportunities to become junior reporters during the competition, as well as young children drawing artwork which will be presented to athletes on arrival to Doha in September.

Fans can buy tickets online now to ensure that they don’t miss out on any of the action at https://iaafworldathleticschamps.com/doha2019/

Source: Peninsula