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, using sport to unite people.
00:14And as today's launch shows, winter sports are catching on, even in the desert.
00:22From curling stones sliding across the ice to first-time skaters finding their footing,
00:28Doha is getting a taste of Canadian winter.
00:31The launch of the 2026 Winter Sports Development Program kicks off a year of cultural exchange between Qatar, Canada and
00:39Mexico.
00:40Especially important now, with regional tensions still high.
00:44We've had a rough couple of weeks, turbulent times.
00:48Culture and sports is what brings humanity together.
00:52We bring down the barriers and we show what it's like to be human.
00:56We share emotions and we compete together.
00:59Inside Doha's Ali bin Hamid Alatia Arena, families and young athletes tried curling, speed skating and ice hockey.
01:07Many for the first time.
01:08For Bissan Alwadia, it's about more than just sport.
01:12It's about building connections across cultures.
01:16We were able to build this community within Qatar, an ice hockey community,
01:19where the parents from different countries just coming together, just through one sport.
01:25We've grown into over 60 kids in our program.
01:28Mexico, 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 friendship,
01:38cooperation, collaboration.
01:39And I'm certain that we're going to reinforce that very positive view of Qatar as a friendly country with which
01:46we 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 in town.
02:01Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
02:04Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
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