His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council, launched the Dubai Fitness Challenge to motivate residents to take up physical activity and make Dubai the most active city in the world.
The challenge seeks to inspire Dubai’s residents to lead an active lifestyle by committing to a minimum of 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days through a wide range of activities, sports or exercise.
“Dubai aims to set an example for cities around the world in encouraging citizens to give high importance to physical activity and sports,” said Shaikh Hamdan. “We are keen to spread a culture of fitness since we strongly believe that making physical activity and sports a part of their daily routines will help people significantly improve the quality of their lives.
"The Dubai Fitness Challenge has been designed to motivate people to pursue an active and energetic lifestyle. This complements other initiatives we are pursuing to transform Dubai into the world’s happiest city by providing a positive social environment and the conditions for an enriching lifestyle.”
Running from October 20 to November 18, Dubai Fitness Challenge encompasses all forms of activity — from walking, team sports, intense fitness regimes, paddle-boarding and aerobics to football, yoga, cycling and everything in between. It will be an exciting, action-packed and personally rewarding month of self-discovery, social interaction and enjoyment for everyone of all ages, abilities and fitness levels.
Highlights include five weekend fitness carnivals starting at Safa Park on October 20 and 21. Celebrity guests, motivational experts and fitness professionals will make appearances at various locations, events and live entertainment. In addition to a packed schedule of daily fitness events, free exercise classes and dedicated community activities in each of Dubai’s neighbourhoods, the challenge will also feature a number of existing and highly successful partner events including Dubai Color Run, Dubai Mass Swim and Dubai Schools Fitness Games.
Shaikh Hamdan called upon all government organisations, public sector and educational institutions to be the drivers of change. He urged the private sector to be equal contributors in this Year of Giving by supporting employees in their fitness endeavours.
“With the launch of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, we aim to become the most active city in the world, motivating everyone across all ages, and fitness levels, to start with small steps that will benefit them and their families,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. “With just 30 minutes of physical activity each day for 30 days, we are confident the city will begin to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle as a choice for life.
“We want everyone to join this inclusive initiative, from those who have never exercised to those who are fitness enthusiasts, from the young to the old and the people of determination, and the entire community including schools, businesses and government organisations across Dubai. It’s the perfect trigger to make a positive change to one’s life, for the less active to challenge themselves to set higher goals, for those already committed to an active lifestyle to push their limits and be the motivators for the wider community.
"With a packed calendar of fitness events and healthy activities across the month, residents should view this as a fun and interactive way to spend quality time with friends and family for the collective benefit of all. In this Year of Giving, Dubai Fitness Challenge is an opportunity to give not just to ourselves but also to others, and we are confident that the people of Dubai will get behind this movement wholeheartedly.”
His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA, said: “DHA wholeheartedly supports this initiative, which will encourage the community to make exercise a part of their daily routine. Simple steps such as exercise and healthy eating can keep a host of lifestyle diseases at bay. Health is a major component for happiness and well-being and a consistent approach to a healthy lifestyle provides a foundation for better health.”
To register and pledge your commitment to 30 minutes of activity for 30 days, visit Dubaifitnesschallenge.com. Once the challenge starts, download the Dubai Fitness Challenge App to track your performance, discover events and unlock exciting rewards.
