DOHA: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Shell recently wrapped up the fifth season of the Koora Time initiative. Since its launch in March 2013, the programme has benefitted over 17,500 children across Qatar.This year’s programme again saw a significant reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) by 80% of participants. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Approximately 40% of Qataris were classified as obese in 2015, in part due to lack of access to physical activities and spaces to engage in sports. Koora Time is a five-year sustainable initiative designed to improve the health and wellbeing of Qatar’s youth through football. The initiative facilitates access to additional hours of physical activity and more opportunities and spaces to play football. The flagship programme Il’Ab We’Yana, which is delivered with the support of Ministry of Education and Higher Education, provides boys and girls with an additional 72 hours of physical activity over its 18-week duration. Shouq Saad, a Qatari participant in KOORA TIME, initially joined her friends on the football pitch and has seen significant results. “I heard about KOORA TIME from my friends and they told me that I should participate, since football is my favorite sport. I saw how different they looked after playing and decided to apply,” she says. “Since then, I have felt a change in my overall health in terms of fitness and tolerance, and in addition, I lost many kilos.” In recognition for its positive impact on the health of youth, Koora Time has been the recipient of numerous awards including the ‘Sports Industry Award’ for Best CSR Initiative, ‘CSR Award Qatar’ for Best CSR Impact Initiative, the ‘Dar Al Sharq Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ for the Best Sports Initiative, and the ‘2014 and 2016 AFC Dream of Asia Award’ in the area of social responsibility. “These are exciting times for us and our partner Qatar Shell. Since Koora Time’s inauguration in March 2013, we have witnessed some truly fantastic results. These international awards acknowledge just how much we can contribute to society and we hope others are inspired to follow suit,” said Mansour Al Ansari, General Secretary, QFA. “The Koora Time initiative is part of QFA’s CSR strategy which aims to constantly leverage on its existing partnerships to educate the communities about the positive values of playing football and inspire the youth to play football,” he added. “Qatar Shell seeks to go beyond philanthropic donations, supporting the Qatar National Vision in each of its four pillars by working with Qatari partners to create and deliver long term contributions to society in line with Qatar’s priorities and generating measurable impact,” said Mohammed Abu Jbara, CSR Manager, Qatar Shell. To find out more about Koora Time or to register your child for the programme, please visit www.kooratime.qa