New Deal Extends Il'Ab We'Yana For Two More Years

Doha, December 02 (QNA) - Qatar Football Association (QFA), Qatar Shell and the Foundation FC Barcelona (FFCB) signed an agreement Tuesday to extend the school programme Il'Ab We'Yana, (meaning 'Play With Us') for two years more. The award winning extra-curricular school programme, Il'Ab We'Yana is part of the Koora Time initiative created by the QFA and Qatar Shell, and is based on FFCB's FutbolNet method which uses football to develop healthy habits and encourage positive behavioural change. The extension follows the success of Il'Ab We'Yana in Qatar. Institut DEP, an independent sports education research agency, recently published findings that show the programme has had a significant impact on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 89% of participants from the programme's first two seasons. Commenting on the new agreement, QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani said, "The renewal of this agreement demonstrates an ongoing commitment by QFA, Qatar Shell and Foundation FC Barcelona, to encourage young people in Qatar to adopt active and healthy lifestyles. We are proud to extend this partnership and hope to have a positive social impact for years to come." As part of the agreement, Shell will continue to activate the programme in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iraq, besides Qatar. Qatar Shell Managing Director and Chairman Wael Sawan said, "A key driver for Shell and the QFA to partner with Foundation FC Barcelona is the fact that the football club is not only globally recognized for its sporting excellence, but also for its unique social commitment. Our partnership is the first of its kind and reinforces our commitment to the Qatar National Vision 2030." FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu said, "We are very excited to continue our partnership with Shell. It is great to see that our partnership has had a measurable social impact on youth in Qatar. "FutbolNet is about more than football, it is a tool for the personal growth of girls and boys with which we can make a meaningful contribution to Qatari society, which we hope will have a positive impact for years to come." The third season of Il'Ab We'Yana recently kicked off and will take place over 24 weeks. Certified male and female coaches from the QFA and Qatar Women's Sports Committee will hold weekly sessions at eight different venues across the country, including Al Wakra and the northern communities, with the potential to positively impact the lives of over 1,000 young people. Each session runs for two hours with the aim of providing over 100 hours of extra-curricular physical activity to each participant. Besides providing young people with greater access to extra-curricular physical education, the program teaching modules also emphasize the importance of drinking water and maintaining hydration, a good diet and sufficient sleep. The modules also stress the harmful effects of fast food and snacks, fat and sugar, and tobacco use. Il'Ab We'Yana was officially recognised at the Sport Industry Awards 2014 earlier this year, winning the Best Youth Development Initiative' award. The second season concluded during Ramadan with more than 700 children aged 6 to 12 years old having taken part, 25% of these were Qatari citizens. (END)