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Airmen, Soldiers share in "Sports Day" with local children

  • Published
  • By Maj. Nicole David
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
DOHA, Qatar --  The Qatar National Sports Day is an initiative adopted by the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to further embed sporting values into the nation's culture and inspire people to participate in sporting activities.

Airmen deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Udeid Air Base, and Soldiers deployed to Camp As Sayliyah volunteered to participate in a local school's sports day February 4, 2014.

"American School of Doha values our relationship and premier partnership with AUAB and CAS," said Dr. Phillip Stroup, ASD Director of Development and External Relations. "ASD estimates that we receive over 12,000 volunteer hours annually from Airmen and Soldiers across a variety of educational activities and we are thankful for the enthusiastic engagement by the many military personnel who support ASD."

Established in 2011, the Qatar National Sports Day prompted a government mandate that all schools develop a "sports day" the week prior to the national holiday to create awareness about sports and its health benefits in an effort to meet the challenges of a rapidly increasing youthful population.

The American School of Doha celebrated its sports day, hosting 57 Airmen and Soldiers to take part in the over 30 activities with 977 elementary aged kids. Members arrived at 5 a.m. to start setting up all the stations, and for three hours, the diverse population of children rotated every five to ten minutes from station to station participating with Airmen and Soldiers in tug-of-war, relay races, dancing, sack races, rock wall climbing, and a myriad of other cardio exercises that kept the kids moving.

"It has always been a wonderful experience having the military help with our sports day," said Susan Barnwell, ASD elementary physical education teacher. "You all serve as great role models for our students and it is cool to have you here!"

Through the Jar Saleh, "Good Neighbor" volunteer organization on base, military members have ample opportunities to volunteer, but volunteering at ASD is one of the most popular because many service members who are parents also volunteer in their own children's schools and find it helpful to be around kids when they are missing their own.

"I volunteer every year for the field day at my kids' school back home so when I saw this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to be a part of the fun that kids experience through physical feats and teamwork," said Maj. Rebecca Wyffels, a T-1 instructor pilot from Randolph Air Force Base and a Plymouth, Minn., native. "It's inspiring to watch the kids use creativity and determination to accomplish the activity challenges. This experience will be memorable and I've shared in a lot of laughter, sunshine and competition with them today."

Senior Master Sgt. Erica McNair, 379th AEW Protocol Superintendent, is deployed here from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, also volunteered because it is something she gets involved in at her daughter's school. Knowing she will miss the chance this year due to deployment, she took this opportunity at ASD.

"I figured this would be my way of giving back to the local community while also enjoying the smiles on the kids' faces during such a fun day!" said McNair, a Sanford, N.C., native.

Stroup says the partnership between ASD and AUAB and CAS has been recognized at a national level in the United States and he has been asked to put together a report on how the partnership was initiated and developed into a strong friendship between the organizations.

"This is truly a wonderful friendship that we cherish and hope to continue. The partnership we have built over the past four years provides a vital service to our students and community," Stoup said.

According to Qatar's Sports Sector Strategy 2011-2016, sport helps improve physical and mental well-being at an individual level; builds social and family cohesion at a community level; and can be a powerful diplomatic tool in forging friendships and improving relationships at an international level. Through American School of Doha's sports day, military members also benefitted from the experience individually, as a team and at an international level, further enhancing the enduring relationship between the U.S. military and the host nation population.