Al-Sadd Sports Club announces the launching of its Disability Legacy Program during a press conference MOU signing with the Qatar Paralympics Committee under the umbrella of “180 Degree Change”; Al-Sadd’s CSR program

• MOU signing to enable the inclusion of the disabled in social and sports events as well as enabling them to visit and enjoy all the facilities available in Al-Sadd Sports Club.
• Al-Rumaihi: “We are committed to being a ‘socially responsible club’, today marks the crucial beginning of establishing activities and projects that will only lead to positive social changes”.
• Dr. Al-Ansari, “We invite all Qatari clubs to follow the example of Al-Sadd Sports Club in the implementation of projects such as the Disability Legacy Program. We also encourage and support projects that enable the disabled and aid them in integrating as an integral part of society.”

• Al-Rumaihi: “The project will contribute to the establishment for future co-operation and will consolidate the long term relationship between both parties."

Doha, Qatar - January 23^rd, 2012:

With eagerness and excitement Al-Sadd Sports Club announced their launch of the ‘Disability Legacy Program’. An aspiration of Qatar’s only socially astute sports club, Al-Sadd believes it’s the responsibility of the community to ensure that the entire population has been given equal opportunity despite their circumstances.

During the press conference a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU) was signed in association with the Qatar Paralympics Committee.  An enthusiastic undertaking by both parties: this being the first project of its kind within the country.

The memorandum was signed by Mr.Jassim Al-Rumaihi, General Secretary of Al-Sadd Sports Club and Dr.Hassan Al-Ansari, General Secretary of Qatar Paralympics Committee. The event hosted a number of officials, managers, staff members’ as well local media outlets creating quite a buzz of positive energy.

Mr.Jassim Al-Rumaihi, Secretary of Al-Sadd Sports Club expressed his pleasure in the collaboration with Qatar Paralympics Committee when he said “We are committed to being a ‘socially responsible club’, today marks the crucial beginning of establishing activities and projects that will only lead to positive social changes”. He expounded on his desire to announce such communal improvements along the way. Al-Rumaihi added “This project will contribute to the establishment for future co-operation and will consolidate the long term relationship between both parties”.

            The signing of the MOU aims at facilitating the hosting of the disabled in Al-Sadd Sports Club through eliminating the physical as well as mental obstacles the disabled may encounter. With a heighted awareness of the needs of the disabled this initiative has been constructed to ‘enable the disabled’ (whether it be mobility issues or visually impairment) to participate in sports events and utilize facilities. The objective is also to create an awareness of social conditions, thus Al-Sadd’s pioneering Qatar’s first ever disability friendly sports club based on international standards. Such regard towards social responsibility serves as a model approach for other clubs and the importance of their role within the community.

Accommodation and facilities stipulated in the memorandum include the allocation for specialized entrances for the disabled, access cards, parking spaces (erection of clearly marked signs designated ‘disabled’), administrative assistants to regulate the entry and exit, customized toilets and food/snacks. For ease of use a map of the facilities will be available via Al-Sadd Sports Club website. For individuals with motor disabilities ramps will be constructed adhering to the international engineering standards allowing wheelchair access. Those with visual impairments will be allocated seats close to the field with an unobstructed view and safety barriers.     

General Secretary of the Qatar Paralympics Committee, Dr.Hassan Mohammed Al-Ansari also expressed his pleasure in the collaborated effort and thanked Al-Sadd for its support towards individuals with special needs. He displayed his optimism towards the project by stating he felt “confident such a noble initiative will significantly impact the disabled, be a means to support their aspirations and serve as motivation to regularly visit the sports club”. Al-Ansari continued by saying,   “We invite all Qatari clubs to follow the example of Al-Sadd Sports Club in the implementation of projects such as the Disability Legacy Program. We also encourage and support projects that enable the disabled and aid them in integrating as an integral part of society.”        

            Al-Sadd Sports Club is the first professional club in the GCC region to adopt a ‘social responsibility program’ via the leading sport CSR agency “IMPACT CSR Solutions”. A system put in play with a strategic aspect entitled “180 Degree Change”.  Thus the journey towards supporting and building Qatar’s social well-being has begun.