Indian Ambassador, P Kumaran (third left), addressing a press conference to announce the formation of Indian Sports Centre (ISC), in Doha yesterday. Nilangshu Dey (second left), President, ISC, and other senior officials were also present. Pic: Salim Mat
An Indian Sports Centre (ISC) aimed at building a common platform for various sporting activities within the Indian community is set to be launched next month. ISC will be the fourth apex organisation under the Embassy of India and will primarily focus on all aspects related to promoting games and sports among the community across all levels.
“Being the largest expatriate community in Qatar, the Indian community can integrate its activities with Qatar’s vision as was done in the past during the 2006 Asian Games. The formation of ISC would open a new chapter in our close cultural relations, particularly in sports and games in Qatar,” said P Kumaran, Indian Ambassador to Qatar.
“Now sports activities among Indians is diffused and uncoordinated. ISC will take a burden off Indian Cultural Centre that used to handle all community related activities. ISC will exclusively handle all sporting activities of the community and become a common platform for the whole community,” he said yesterday announcing the formation of ISC.
A 15-member ad-hoc management committee with the ambassador as its chief patron and prominent Indian community member Nilangshu Dey as president has been formed.
The sports centre will be formally launched on the National Sports Day in February.
Apart from various sporting activities that is expected to bring together various Indian organisations and schools, a walkathon on the Corniche is also being planned.
The organisation has also announce a logo design and caption contest that is open until January 17.
ISC will develop sports and games among the young Indians including school students by providing professional coaching in various games.
The sports body will heavily involve Indian blue-collar workers in sports and games which is expected to motivate and create health awareness among them.
It will also organise inter school and inter organisational tournaments to engage the community.
ISC will also give affiliations to various community sporting bodies and aims to have its own purpose built premises for various indoor sporting activities.
The apex body will form Indian teams in various sports to participate in national tournaments being organised by different sporting federations in Qatar. The organisation will also support sports in Qatar by providing volunteers officials and other assistance if needed.
Added to this, the body will give emphasis to Yoga, an Indian discipline, which is widely practised for health and relaxation.
Separate sub committees have been already formed to promote and coordinate activities for various sports. Initially, the body will focus on sporting activities such as football, cricket, hockey, volleyball, basketball, handball, athletics, golf, racquet ball, aquatics, water sports, indoor games, badminton, yoga and fitness programmes. It will also form women’s team for various games. Various types of membership such as life membership, corporate member, annual membership and patron are available for Indians and people of Indian origin (PIO) to become its member.
The corporate membership will help companies involve their staff on regular basis in various sporting activities.
