Football stars back Dubai’s fitness month

Football stars such as former Brazil striker Ronaldinho and celebrities are expected to get behind the Dubai Fitness Challenge and attend some of the fitness events taking place across the emirate.

The challenge was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Monday in an attempt to get people to commit to 30 minutes of exercise a day for 30 days.

It will involve five free weekend fitness carnivals, kicking off with an event at Safa Park on October 20 and 21, and run through November 18 as part of a plan to make Dubai the most active city in the world. Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council will also promote a month of activity to encourage lifestyle change in the sedentary population.

Highlights will include celebrity guests, health experts and fitness professionals who will make motivational appearances at locations, dedicated events and live entertainment venues around Dubai.

Free exercise classes and community activities are planned for each of Dubai’s neighbourhoods.

Participants can monitor their progress through the month via a phone app.

Issam Kazim, the chief executive of Dubai Tourism, hopes visitors and residents will back the programme.

“The Dubai Fitness Challenge is our primary focus but, for visitors to Dubai, we want to show there is so much more on offer here than what they may expect,” he said.

“We’ve seen a great number of visitors to Dubai in the first half of the year, and a good increase that we are happy with.

On the fitness challenge, he said: “There is science and research that shows if someone does something consistently, it is enough to create a habit.”

Hundreds of free events are promised across Dubai during the scheme, with participation numbers monitored to identify what events have been a success to help shape further projects.

On Monday, Sheikh Hamdan made a personal plea to encourage people in the emirate to sign up to the challenge.

“Dubai aims to set an example for cities around the world in encouraging citizens to give high importance to physical activity and sports,” he said.

“We are very 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.”