Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah Account sets Guinness World Records
Achievement during annual millionaire draw event
KUWAIT: Gulf Bank is pleased to have successfully completed the biggest annual draw event in Kuwait, on Thursday, 5 January at The Avenues Mall. In exciting news, this year Gulf Bank was honored to receive a well-respected and esteemed international recognition from Guinness World Records live during its draw event, in addition to naming Kuwait’s new AlDanah millionaire, Salary and Red cash and car winners, and winners of “Catch the Cash” money box competition.
The event was hosted by the notable radio host and media personality Khaled Al-Ansari and Gulf Bank team member Mohammad AlSarraf. The special guest for the evening was the popular Kuwaiti actor/comedian “Weld Al Deera” - Khaled Al-Agrooga. With his signature humor and effusive persona, Weld Al-Deera had the audience laughing and enjoying the event. As with all Gulf Bank draws, this entire event was conducted in the presence of a representative from the Ministry of Commerce, Abdulaziz Ashkanani.
Guinness World Records
To start the draw event, Gulf Banks’ AlDanah account prize of KD 1 million was named the “Largest Prized Linked to a Bank Account in the World.” The award was presented by Guinness World Records representatives; Hoda Khachab, Official Adjudicator, and Talal Omar, Country Manager - Middle East and North Africa. Gulf Bank solidly beat the previously established world record of $2.1 million linked to a bank account.
The Guinness World Records is the ultimate authority in record-breaking achievements. It was established in the early 1950s and the first edition went on to become a bestseller in the United Kingdom. Today, more than 60 years later, the Guinness Book of World Records is one of the most recognized and trusted brands in the world.
Guinness World Records has an expertly trained Records Management Team who undertake substantial research and verification checks to confirm whether a new record title has been achieved. Guinness World Records maintains the highest standards and strict policies governing what makes a world record. All Guinness World Records must fulfill some key criteria such as: measurability; breakability; standardization; verifiability; uniqueness; and universality.
Applicants must first submit a standard application with the required evidence to verify the achievement in question. In October 2016, a claim was submitted to Guinness World Records about Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account KD 1 million prize. The dedicated Records Management Team at Guinness World Records Headquarters reviewed the application, carefully assessing it to confirm whether or not the proposal could be accepted. Then, the Guinness World Records team conducted their research based on the above listed qualifications and verified that indeed Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah KD 1 million prize is the largest prize linked to a bank account in the world.
Receiving the Guinness World Records award on behalf of the Bank was Mrs. Salma Al Hajjaj, General Manager of Human Resources. Al-Hajjaj said, “Gulf Bank is exceptionally proud to have received this distinction from Guinness World Records. Our AlDanah account prize of KD 1 million has long been known to be the largest annual prize in Kuwait, but to now know that we are the largest prize linked to a bank account in the world is truly terrific news. Or, as the Guinness officials said, Gulf Bank is now ‘officially amazing’.”
Al-Hajjaj continued, “On behalf of the Bank, I would like to thank the Guinness World Records for being here to present this award to us. I would also like to thank the Gulf Bank team for their dedication to the Bank and their tireless efforts to ensure we maintain the highest standards of service and innovation at the Bank; this award would not be possible were it not for their ongoing commitment. This award is a great honor for Gulf Bank and for our beloved country Kuwait.”
Highly anticipated draw event
For the first time in Kuwait, Gulf Bank introduced the ‘Catch the Cash’ competition during Al-Danah millionaire draw adding even more excitement to the event. The Bank offered attendees the chance to win up to KD 3,000 in this unique challenge. Attendees signed up to participate in the competition prior to the start of the draw event. Names were then selected at random by the event hosts and the competitors entered the box and tried to catch as many flying notes as possible in 10 seconds. These notes were then counted on stage and exchanged on the spot for cash.
Salary, Red Accounts and Cadillac Escalade winners
Lucky Gulf Bank’s Salary and red account holders also won cash prizes of KD 1,000 each.
Halima Waleed Saleh Baroon, holder of a salary account won KD 1,000 and Huda Hussein Mohammad Mohammad, holder of red account won a prize of KD 1,000 as well.
Additionally, Fahed Mohammad Al-Azmi was lucky enough to be selected as the winner of the brand new Cadillac Escalade. He will soon visit the Bank in person to receive the key to his brand new car.
The KD 1 million Al-Danah prize winner
Gulf Bank representatives Meshari Shehab, Assistant General Manager, and Tareq AlSaleh, Assistant General Manager, then took to the stage with the hosts to start the AlDanah millionaire prize portion of the event. Kuwait’s highly anticipated prize of KD 1 million, now recognized as the largest prize linked to a bank account in the world, was randomly selected, under the oversight of the Ministry of Commerce representative and the representative from Guinness World Records, to be Sayed Mustafa Sayed Ali Al Mousawi. Congratulations to Kuwait’s newest Al-Danah millionaire!
Activities and fun took center-stage
Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah millionaire draw event this year was dynamic and full of surprises. Attendants and participants enjoyed a full show that started at 5:00pm with kids’ activities that ranged from face painting to henna, balloons and mascots.
Attendees were also treated to a special musical performance by “The Concert”. They also enjoyed the photo booth attraction and the social media competition that went along with the photo booth.
Will you be the 2018 millionaire?
In order to participate in Al-Danah millionaire draw 2018, customers must have an AlDanah account containing a minimum of KD 200. Chances of winning can be increased by adding to the amount deposited in Al-Danah account. This will also maximize your chances of winning up to KD 500,000 quarterly, and one of the two KD 1,000 cash prizes which are drawn each working day.