Diabetes centre launches sports programme to spread awareness

Abu Dhabi: The Imperial College London Diabetes Centre has launched a programme called 'I Play Sports' as a public health awareness campaign.

It will kick-off with a corporate community football tournament geared to promote the importance of an active lifestyle. It will take place during Ramadan from September 9 to 14. Dr Maha Barakat, consultant endocrinologist and medical and research director, said the tournament is open to teams from the public and private sector.

"The centre is using sports as a vehicle to promote the importance of an active lifestyle in the prevention of diabetes and other related complications. The 'I Play Sports' [IPS] tournament is an opportunity for the business community to have fun, while allowing the players and supporters to be ambassadors of the Diabetes awareness message across the UAE," said Dr Maha.

IPS is the centre's fifth outreach activity, following the 'I Wonder' screening programme, 'I Eat Right' school lunch box drive, 'I Cook Healthily' recipe collection, and the 'Walk UAE' walkathon.