The event, first held in 2012, saw sporting activities organised by the QOC, the Qatar Women's Sport Committee and the Qatar Paralympic Committee.

They were held at several venues including the Aspire Park, Katara, Al Shaqab and Lusail.

The idea of the National Sport Day is to allow members of the public of all ages and abilities to try new sports and help spread the Olympic spirit.

Sports on today's taster programme included gymnastics, fencing, weightlifting, boxing, tennis and sailing.

QOC President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his delight at the day's events.

"We are proud that Qatar is one of the only countries in the world and the first in the Middle East to dedicate a public holiday to National Sport Day," he said.

"This year, the QOC has organised 72 sporting activities around Qatar for all ages and abilities as part of our vision and commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in sport.

"Once again, National Sport Day has provided a unique platform to inspire and unite our nation through sport and share the Olympic spirit in one place.

"We are determined to see an increase in physical activity in our country, not simply on the basis of the number of people taking part, but because of the wider value it will have for our collective health, wellbeing and happiness, as individuals and as a society."

Several famous Qatari athletes also attended today's events including members of the 2018 Asian Championship gold-medal winning handball team, senior world weightlifting silver medallist Fares Ibrahim and basketball player Yassin Ismail.

Ismail said he and his fellow athletes were proud to have been involved in the day's activities.

"We are proud as athletes that we have a special day for sport and I thank Qatar for establishing National Sport Day, where we can enjoy so many fun activities," he said.

"Sport is not only about physical activity, it is a lifestyle and I encourage people to keep practicing sport even after National Sport Day is over.

"I was so happy to see so many children playing basketball and I encourage everyone to take up this sport because it is fun and easy."

QOC President Al Thani said it was "wonderful" to have the athletes participate in the events and described their achievements in sport as an "inspiration to our nation".

Organisers of the Doha 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships also used the opportunity provided by the National Sport Day to launch their event-specific social media channels.