Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today inaugurated the Dubai Fitness Challenge at Safa Park, kicking off a 30-day first-of-its-kind challenge that aims to transform Dubai into one of the most active cities in the world. 

On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan expressed his happiness at the overwhelming response of Dubai residents to his challenge. People who responded to the Dubai Fitness Challenge come from various age groups. His Highness said that the Challenge aims to raise the awareness of the community about the role of sports and physical activity in ensuring a healthy lifestyle.

“I am very happy to see the enthusiasm that people have shown in getting involved in sports and physical activity. The main objective of the Challenge is to instill awareness about the importance of sports and its positive impact on people’s lives. I look forward to all participants committing to regular physical activity for the next 30 days, which I hope will be a strong part of their lives even after the Challenge. We want to make physical fitness a part of people’s lifestyle, given its positive impact on health and wellbeing,” His Highness said.

Sheikh Hamdan attended a number of training sessions at the Safa Park Weekend Fitness Carnival held this weekend to mark the start of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Launch events featured celebrity appearances, fun activities, team and individual sports, stage shows and a host of events aimed at motivating adults, kids and entire families. Former England football captain and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand will attend the festivities and encourage both children and adults to embrace an active lifestyle.

Present at the opening event of the Challenge were Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director  and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); and Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council.

Some of the sports and fitness disciplines featured at the Come and Try Fitness Zone at the Safa Park Weekend Fitness Carnival include American football, basketball, boxing, cricket, golf, Plyo Box Vertical Jump, strength training, suspension training, touch rugby and volleyball.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Fun and Fitness Zone at the Carnival includes bubble soccer, a climbing wall, trampolines, an inflatable assault course, and horse hoppers, apart from football skills, drills, training and games on small pitches. Budding footballers can come and tackle a ball control parkour challenge and try their luck in penalty shootout competitions, a dribbling slalom, freekicks and even the best goal celebration. Also inspiring kids to get more active will be Les Mills Born to Move classes, designed to set young people up with a lifelong love of physical activity.

Extreme and action sports specialists XDubai will perform a signature stunt with the X-factor to mark the official opening of Dubai Fitness Challenge. Expect the unexpected from the team who aim to make Dubai the adrenaline capital of the world. Additionally, performers from the spectacular La Perle, Dubai’s very first state-of-the-art resident show, will descend on the Opening Weekend Carnival to demonstrate how they keep fit for their thrilling action-packed performances

As the city takes the Dubai Fitness Challenge of 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days from 20 October – 18 November, everyone is encouraged to take this opportunity to make fitness a lifestyle choice not just for themselves but also for their family and friends.

Dubai Fitness Challenge has been created to motivate Dubai’s citizens, residents and visitors to boost their physical activity and commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. Running from October 20 to November 18, 2017, the challenge encompasses all forms of activity – from beach cricket, cycling and football to paddle-boarding, team sports, walking and yoga and everything in between.  People of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate on their own or with friends, family and colleagues and enjoy new and exciting ways to improve their fitness levels. Participants should simply track their performance on the Dubai Fitness Challenge app once the challenge starts.