Doha, Qatar – February 20, 2019:Team Qatar’s OthmanAbdelmalik2018 World Taekwondo Beach Championvisited grade 5 students ofUmm Al Qura boys school yesterday. He gave a short presentation highlighting his achievements, his personal experiences and his goals as he prepares for his next championships. The schoolchildren enjoyed a demonstration of the Poomsae and asked many questions showing their interest in the sport of taekwondo.
Students ages 10 -11 years old were excited to welcome Othman to their school with his taekwondo equipment. They also had the opportunity to see and hold his medals, leaving the students wondering if they too could become champions one day. During Othman’s presentation, he introduced himself and explained the different types of taekwondo and went into details about his own expertise, the Poomsae. Some of the students took part while Othman demonstrated some of the techniques and many asked questions about the sport and
his experiences during a Q&A session.
Team Qatar’s Othman Abdelmalik commented on his school visit:” I really enjoyedmy visit to the school today. It makes me happy to see young children showing interest in Taekwondo. It is a sport practiced by people of all ages, so I was glad I could share my experience and I hope I was an inspiration for the students to take up the sport.”
The 33-year-old taekwondo athlete started practicing the sport when he was 10 years old encouraged by his father and has been on the Qatar National Team since then. In 2003 Othman won his very first gold medal at the GCC Championships which kept him motivated to continue practicing the Poomsae. In 2018 Othman claimed his greatest achievement when he won the gold medal at the World Taekwondo Beach Championships in Greece.
The Qatar Olympic Committee would like to thank Um Al Qorra boys’ school, its Director and teachers for their support and collaboration to promote sport among their students. The QOC also thanks the school for providing all the equipment and setting the place to stage a very useful and interactive session between Team Qatar’s athlete Othman Abdelmalik and their schoolchildren.
QOC is celebrating its 40thanniversary on 14thMarch, marking tremendous successes in the different sports fields and all levels in its short history. Throughout its journey, the QOC has committed its mission to promoting sports and physical activities in the country. Since its new brand launch in 2017 the QOC refreshed its image to focus on uniting, inspiring and engaging the community through Team Qatar athletes.
In support of the QOCs 40thanniversary, the QOC is arranging for 40 Team Qatar athletes to visit 40 schools in Qatar this year. The key objectives of these visits are to raise awareness of Team Qatar’s athletes and the various sports by introducing them to schoolchildren in order to increase the level of physical education and healthy lifestyle amongst the younger generation.