Doha, November 19 (QNA) - The Ministry of Public Health (MOH) today launched the "Walk the Talk" event, in the presence of HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, HE Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and a number of officials, athletes and public figures, and thousands of participants in Al Bidda Park.

The event, which is being held for the first time in the state of Qatar and organized by the Ministry of Public Health in partnership with the World Health Organization, FIFA and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, came to celebrate the importance of health and well-being in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through various sports activities, in addition to organizing walking paths for 3 and 5 kilometers, in order to engage people of all ages and abilities, and enhance the benefits of physical activity.

In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health Sheikh Dr. Mohamed bin Hamad Al-Thani, confirmed that the event is being held for the first time in the State of Qatar and presents an important health message that contributes to changing the customary rhythm of the World Cup.

His Excellency pointed out that there is a great opportunity to pass positive health messages in light of the presence of billions of followers during the World Cup.

His Excellency explained that the State of Qatar was able to provide sports for all fans in a way that meets the aspirations, but the time has come to present the health aspect to all groups, adding that the presence of the health sector marks a historic start for the World Cup within this event organized by the Ministry of Public Health with the participation of the Ministries of Education, Municipality and Environment.

For his part, HE Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi, noted that this event is part of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacys cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization and FIFA, with the aim of exploiting the World Cup platform to promote healthy living, whether through sports practices and healthy foods.

HE Al Thawadi confirmed in a statement to (QNA) that the World Cup is one of the few platforms that unite the peoples of the whole world and enhance the opportunity for the exchange of cultures and viewpoints between different groups.

In the same context, Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani, the official spokesman for the healthcare sector for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, said that there is great importance to encourage all groups to pay attention to the health aspect through exercise, expressing the hope that the event will serve as the beginning of a new sporting life.

In a similar statement to (QNA), Al Maslamani stressed the necessity of enjoying the World Cup, playing sports, watching the rituals accompanying the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and going to watch the matches and fan zones.

For his part, Ahmed Khalil, Qatar Heritage 2022 Ambassador, expected that tomorrow (Sunday) will enjoy a high-level World Cup atmosphere in Doha, calling on groups who are not interested in sports to enjoy the atmosphere and participate in the events that are being held for the first time in Qatar, thus stimulating all groups to enjoy the events that will take place in the coming days.

Khalil stressed that this period is eagerly awaited, because the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is for all Arabs and not only for Qatar, indicating that the opening ceremony of the World Cup will bring a great surprise, in addition to the rest of the events that will achieve high-level success, to constitute a real response to all malicious campaigns witnessed recently.

It is worth noting that the World Health Organization recommends that all children and young people perform an average of 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per day, including activities that strengthen muscles and bones, at least 3 times a week. (QNA)