School sports halls and other facilities could be opened up for public use in the evenings in a bid to increase the choice of sports facilities for residents, particularly children and families, an education official has reportedly said.

Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education is due to sign an agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Sports “soon” to open up schools’ facilities after-hours, the Peninsula reported.

Speaking on National Sport Day earlier this week, it quotes education undersecretary Rabia Mohammed Al Kaabi as saying the deal was part of a wider initiative to encourage more people to exercise regularly.

“It is better to have daily sports activities according to the age and health condition of each person, instead of limiting such activities to a single day,” Al Kaabi added.

More than three-quarters of Qatar’s adult population is overweight and obesity rates among the country’s youth is rising fast.

Coupled with chronic health issues, including one of the highest diabetes rates in the world, authorities have launched a number of initiatives to encourage residents to become more active.

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