Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), in partnership with World Athletics and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has officially launched the "Aim Beyond" project that aims to empower youth and underserved communities through the transformative power of sport.
According to Qatar News Agency, the announcement of the project came pursuant to the agreement signed by HE QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and the QFFD Director General Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti. The signing ceremony was attended by the World Athletics CEO, Jon Ridgeon.
As part of the project, 11 state-of-the-art, eco-friendly, and inclusive running tracks will be constructed across 11 countries around the world, including Palestine, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Cook Islands, Panama, Anguilla, Dominica, Burundi, Tanzania, and Ukraine.
The project reflects Qatar's belief in the power of sport to promote sustainable development, peace, and social cohesion. It also underscores the country's determination to transform sporting legacy into a tangible tool for positive change in the lives of youth and communities.
The tracks to be built are distinguished by their inclusivity, accommodating the needs of athletes with disabilities, and by their sustainability, using eco-friendly materials. The new tracks will also serve as a community hub that promotes the values of sporting excellence and strengthens young athletes' sense of belonging to their communities.
On this occasion, HE QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said, "Aim Beyond is an ambitious project to create a world where every aspiring athlete has access to facilities to aim beyond their limits. Just as Doha 2019 allowed Qatar to aim beyond its limits in pursuit of its ultimate dream, so too will this project create opportunities for young athletes to reach their full potential."
He added, "We are proud that through this ambitious project, the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships will continue to shape the future of athletics - transcending borders and serving as a symbol of commitment, hope and opportunity."
Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD, stated, "At Qatar Fund for Development, we firmly believe that sport is a transformative catalyst for human development and social progress and our partnership today with the Qatar Olympic Committee project reflects this commitment. By establishing inclusive and sustainable athletics tracks in underserved communities, we are creating pathways for young people to develop their talents, strengthen their capabilities, and realize their full potential. This initiative is not merely about constructing facilities, it is about laying the foundations for brighter, more prosperous futures."
"In many communities around the world, athletic talent is abundant, but facilities are not - and that's where Aim Beyond makes its mark," said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon.
"Partnerships drive our mission to make athletics accessible and inspiring for all, and the collaboration between World Athletics, QOC and QFFD is exactly the kind of strategic, human-centred teamwork our sport needs.
"Together, we are strengthening infrastructure for our Member Federations, opening doors that many young athletes have never been able to walk through, and ensuring the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships continues to reach well beyond Qatar."