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Buthaina Al Khater, Engagement and Activation Specialist at Qatar Foundation, confirmed that the idea of hosting an outdoor evening specifically for women in Education City came about in early 2018 after the city was allocated Oxygen Park. The foundation for this event was laid, with ladies evenings being held twice a week from October to May.
In an exclusive statement to Al Arabiya, Hart said: “As an active person who loves sports and organizing events, I fully understand the importance of providing dedicated sports spaces and opportunities for women to follow a healthy and active lifestyle. I also realize the benefits to the community of hosting events specifically for women, such as ladies nights.”
She added: “When we started the idea, some people were hesitant to take it up, and the number of participants was low in the beginning, but over time we started to attract over 10,000 participants on some nights as they practiced in outdoor spaces. In Qatar, an active lifestyle can be a challenge and it is important to have dedicated spaces for them. It allows women to freely participate in sports and lead an active lifestyle in a private and safe environment, and provides them with the opportunity to meet friends and women with similar interests, while enjoying a great night outdoors together.”
She continued: In my experience, regularly going to the gym or attending fitness classes can sometimes become boring and routine, so exploring new outdoor experiences adds a special touch that makes the experience more enjoyable.
Al Khater pointed out that between 2018 and 2023, a ladies evening was held at the Oxygen Park during the winter and many supporting activities were offered, including fitness classes, developmental classes in cooperation with the Qatar Women’s Sports Council, football classes in cooperation with the Generation Foundation, and even beach volleyball, and space for outdoor running was provided for local clubs. During the summer, they received many requests to continue organizing these activities and provide alternatives.
She noted that since the Education City Stadium is located on the university campus, it would allow ladies nights to continue to be organised during the hotter months and enable women and girls to participate in outdoor sporting events all year round.
Alhat said: How many times do you get the opportunity to visit a World Cup stadium and not watch a football match? Let alone the opportunity to enter a stadium where some of the most famous professional football players in the world play. This was a double whammy for me because I was able to both organize and attend sporting events at the same time.
She explained that the football field within the stadium has been divided into several sections to accommodate different sports, and that in addition to the reception hall, additional interior spaces have been provided within the stadium, striving to provide an experience that meets the needs and wishes of everyone.
She added: “During the last Ladies’ Evening, we had new sports on the court, such as a basketball tournament in partnership with the American Women’s Basketball League (AN1), volleyball lessons in partnership with the Qatar Volleyball Federation, and an introduction to fencing provided by local academies and the Qatar Fencing Federation.
She added: “We also offer other activities, including a football match in partnership with the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, health and fitness classes in partnership with Ox Fitness, kickball, Pilates exercises, etc. We also have other spaces for running clubs and organize cycling classes on the fourth floor observation deck, which overlooks all the activities taking place in the stadium. The final night also includes a section dedicated to health and fitness for those who wish to receive nutritional advice and consultations.”
She noted that a “Ladies Night Out” volunteer program was launched this summer, with 15 women providing support in organizing the events.
Passionate about sports, Buthaina Al Khater has been working at Qatar Foundation as an Engagement and Activation Specialist since 2018, contributing to the organization of women’s health, sports and recreational activities. She focuses on community development activities. In her free time, Al Khater takes the opportunity to participate in local cricket tournaments, not to mention her passion for the art of interior design.
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