Building A Healthy Society Through Sport

Rowaida Z. Taha, Qatar

Rowaida Z. Taha works as a Research Associate for the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. As part of the GOALS program, Rowaida tells the story of her volunteer work at the Afghan Compound; passion for horse riding; and her belief in sports as a way to reduce disease and create a healthier society.

My name is Rowaida Ziad Taha. I am a Palestinian-Jordanian, born and raised in Qatar.  I earned my degree in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology from Jordan University of Science and Technology and my Master of Science in Management from the University of Liverpool. Currently, I am a Research Associate within Dr. Sara Abdulla’s team at the Neurological Disorders Research Center at Qatar Biomedical Research Institute.

Throughout our research work, we look for biomarkers of neurological disorders. As a researcher, I seek answers to help us reach our goals and so, I am incredibly proud to have contributed to identifying genetic mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder.

I see people with exemplary accomplishments in life as a source of inspiration. I admire those who have gone through the most challenging journey to contribute to success but always remain grounded. Without discipline, we are unable to reach our goals.

My career is akin to a "leaf on a tree". I am proud to be part of something bigger than myself because it allows me in turn to give back to society.

Volunteering is very important in my life because it is my way of giving back. When you help someone, you find another power.

One volunteering experience close to my heart was working with refugees at the Afghan Compound in Doha. My time was spent reading stories to the children in hope to rekindle their imagination and help build their social skills. The bond I developed with these children was special because I became concerned with their emotional and physical wellbeing.

I would often share with them stories about my family gatherings and how important it is to hold on to one’s culture and be thankful for the guidance and support family can provide. I would tell them about our Friday family tradition, where we would enjoy the various traditional Palestinian foods – Musakhan; made with chicken, onions, olive oil, and tons of sumac, alongside Palestinian taboon bread, finishing off the meal with Kanafeh, a sweet cheese pastry.

The Afghan Compound was also an opportunity for me to convey my belief in the importance of physical activity. I encouraged the refugees to love sport because participation in any activity is essential for holistic health and helps reduce disease.

One of the sports we talked about was horse riding, as I have a special fascination for horses since they are magnificent beings. My love for horses dates to my childhood, when I would visit Jordan during the summer. Since then, I have been a fan of equine body language and attitude. I am currently enrolled in a horse language course with Kuwaiti coach Abdullah Al Asfoor.

I am also quite fond of equestrian events, especially the Arabian horse shows that are held yearly in Qatar in the Al Shaqab Equestrian Center and Qatar Equestrian Federation. During these events, you get to meet the different athletes and dignitaries, one of whom was HRH Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein.

I cannot stress enough how much physical activity not only burns calories but contributes to fighting disease. Horse riding and other physical activities promote positive mental health and are a wonderful tool for relieving tension. There was one sport in particular the Afghan refugees developed a huge liking for, and that was football. Being a huge fan of the Al Sadd football team in Qatar, I would reenact the matches with the children to give them a sense of the spirit of football.

Qatar puts a lot of emphasis on physical health and thus each February, a day is dedicated to celebrate the National Sports Day. There are so many sport-related activities for all, and it has encouraged healthy living. Hosting the FIFA World Cup is another boost to the impact of sports across the country. There is pressure, but I am excited to witness the first World Cup in an Arab country.

I hope to meet many people during the FIFA World Cup and experience different cultures. I am excited to welcome visitors and introduce them to the Qatari culture - especially people from Brazil, the UK, and the USA!

Sports events like the World Cup are a dream come true for teams and athletes that passionately train with great discipline over the years, to showcase their hard-earned skills, to be recognized, and to make their country proud. Their journey inspires us all to improve our health physically, mentally, and socially.