By Tom Degun

Ashref Amged ElseifyJanuary 30 - Qatar's teenage hammer throw star Ashref Amged Elseify has become the latest high profile athlete to give his backing to the upcoming National Sport Day in his home country.


The 17-year-old Egyptian-born athlete underlined huge potential last year as he won gold in the hammer throw at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona with a world junior record of 85.57 metres.

He also won gold at the 2012 Asian Junior Championships in Colombo.

The National Sport Day will be held across Qatar on February 12 after it was created by the Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

"Many people in Qatar still do not really know most of the sports and their rules," said Elseify.

"Having expert performance demonstrations in selected locations will allow Qatar residents to understand what athletics and other sports truly are and they will have the chance to test their skills and knowledge.

"National Sport Day will also remind people who have already experience sports activities but for any reason they are not regularly following practicing, the fun, joy and the benefits of sporting life".

Ashref Amged Elseify 2Ashref Amged Elseify is the reigning world junior champion and world junior world record holder in the hammer throw

Elseify added that he is aware his fame has now grown on Qatar, but says that it not why he got into sport, nor why young Qatari children should look to get into sport.

"Soon after Barcelona, where I won the World Junior gold and broke the world record, I realised that my name was posted everywhere and I felt really good, although I am not obsessed with fame," he said.

"Young kids should not look for fame when they enter the world of sports.

"The general benefits of a healthy lifestyle should be their beacon.

"Sports are for everyone, not just for youngsters.

"Adults must add practicing to their daily schedule in order to build strong defences against illnesses.

"They will surely enjoy a better life".

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