DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE RECORDS IMPRESSIVE 786,000 REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS IN JOURNEY TO BECOME MOST ACTIVE CITY IN THE WORLD

Unprecedented global-first initiative brought together public and private sector players to drive city-wide movement that encouraged residents and visitors of all ages and fitness levels to commit to 30 minutes of daily physical activity for 30 days by providing free sports, workout classes, pop-up gyms, weekend fitness carnivals and expert advice

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 21 November 2017: Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, upped the sporting ante over the last month, with 786,000 citizens and residents of all ages and fitness levels officially registering to participate. Dubai readily accepted the ‘Challenge’ posed by His Highness to get moving and embrace a positive change towards an active life. The initiative geared towards making Dubai the most active city in the world, in turn boosting collective social wellbeing and happiness, encouraged participants to commit to a minimum of 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. The commitment was aided by a host of free sports events, 1,500 free exercise classes at 85 locations, pop-up gym sessions at over 75 venues across the city, weekend fitness carnivals and other community-driven activities, complete with support from professional trainers and fitness tips from international experts. With official statistics clocking in at nearly 800,000 participants at the close of the 30-day challenge that ran from 20 October to 18 November, figures represent all residents of Dubai across governments, corporate entities, schools and individuals that registered to be part of the challenge through the event website or dedicated DFC app. This overwhelming response and engagement with the movement is a clear testament to the spontaneous backing it received from the moment it was launched, from all segments of Dubai’s society, staunchly supported by government, public and private sector stakeholders, educational institutions and organisation alike. The Challenge saw people of all fitness levels, young, old and those of determination, enthusiastically driven to push not only themselves but also their families, peers and friends to make a fundamental change to their lives and embrace a more active lifestyle. Hundreds of partners, sponsors and fitness organisations joined the DFC movement, putting on a packed calendar of fitness activities across the city on a scale never before seen in Dubai. Each of the five signature weekend fitness carnivals running over 2-3 days at Safa Park, Kite Beach, Skydive Dubai, Burj Park and Dubai Festival City drew in tens of thousands, reflecting the truly inclusive nature of participants from all over the city. In addition to the weekend carnivals, free classes, activities and sessions and the pop up gyms ensured access within communities, allowing Dubai residents the freedom and flexibility to be able to take part and get in their 30 minutes of fitness movement for the day.