Qatar, Indonesia sign deal to strengthen sports cooperation
QATAR and Indonesia are poised to strengthen their cooperation in the field of sports following the recent signing of an MoU that includes promoting visits between sports delegations, coaches, experts and specialists in sports and physical education and its applied science of the two countries.
The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Sport was signed by Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani on behalf of the president of Qatar Olympic Committee and Raja Sapta Oktohari, president of Indonesian Olympic Committee, at a ceremony in Qatar Olympic Tower recently. Ali Murtado, First Secretary for Socio Culture Affairs at the Embassy of Indonesia in Qatar, was also present on the occasion.
The MoU seeks to increase athletes’ participation in sports events held by either country and promote exchange of information and views on sports- and physical activity-related issues as well as other areas of mutual interest.
Commenting on the MoU which elevates the collaboration of Qatar and Indonesia in sports to a higher level, Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar HE Ridwan Hassan underlined the importance of sport diplomacy as part of the efforts to enhance people-to-people contact between the two countries.
The envoy told Qatar Tribune, “Indonesia has always seen Qatar as an important partner in various fields. The visit of the leadership of Indonesian Olympic Committee is essential for both parties to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of sport. If we see from the past, this cooperation actually is not new for Qatar and Indonesia. The two countries have close cooperation for long time. For instance, when Indonesia became the host of Asian Games in 2018, Qatar was among the countries that assisted Indonesia in organising the event.”
He added, “As we know, Qatar has vast experience in hosting multi-sport events, including the 2006 Asian Games. That experience was shared by Qatar with us when my country became the host of 2018 Asian Games. I believe there are a lot of areas in sports that we can cooperate in future.”
Oktohari, who headed the visit of the Indonesian delegation to Doha, is a former martial arts athlete and former head of the Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games
Organising Committee.
Apart from the MoU signing, Oktohari and his delegation also paid a visit to Aspire Academy.
Commenting on the visit, the official said, “First of all I would like to thank HE Sheikh Joann bin Hamad Al Thani and the entire leadership of Qatar Olympic Committee for their warm reception to our delegation. I am also excited to have visited Aspire Academy and check directly what the institution is all about. I have heard so many good things about Aspire. Now we have experienced for ourselves how Qatar has developed a fantastic institution with facilities which l believe in the future will produce so many good athletes from across many sports, not only athletics and football but other sports including cycling. I wish Aspire Academy and Qatar the best in this mission. We are looking forward to extending our cooperation between our NOCs and maybe with our academy in Indonesia as well.”
The MoU seeks to increase athletes’ participation in sports events held by either country and promote exchange of information and views on sports- and physical activityrelated issues as well as other areas of mutual interest