00:02It might look like I'm somewhere in Canada right now, but I'm actually on an ice rick in Doha.
00:07This is part of the Years of Culture 2026 program between Canada, Qatar, and Mexico,
00:12using sport to unite people. And as today's launch shows, winter sports are catching on,
00:18even in the desert. From curling stones sliding across the ice to first-time skaters finding
00:27their footing. Doha is getting a taste of Canadian winter. The launch of the 2026 winter sports
00:34development program kicks off a year of cultural exchange between Qatar, Canada, and Mexico,
00:40especially important now with regional tensions still high. We've had a rough couple of weeks,
00:47turbulent times. Culture and sports is what brings humanity together. We bring down the barriers and
00:54we show what it's like to be human. We share emotions, and we compete together.
00:59Inside Doha's Ali bin Hamid Alatia Arena, families and young athletes tried curling,
01:05speed skating, and ice hockey, many for the first time. For Bissan Alwadia, it's about more than just
01:11sport. It's about building connections across cultures.
01:16We were able to build this community within Qatar, an ice hockey community where the parents from
01:21different countries just coming together, just through one sport. We've grown into over 60 kids
01:27in our program. Mexico, also part of the partnership, says the goal is simple.
01:32We're three friendly countries, and the idea of years of culture has to do with fostering a bunch of
01:37friendship, cooperation, collaboration. And I'm certain that we're going to reinforce that very
01:42positive view of Qatar as a friendly country with which we share a lot of values.
01:47The program now runs year-round, aiming to grow winter sports from grassroots to competition.
01:54And if this launch is any indication, the ice may soon become one of the hottest tickets
01:59in town. Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
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