Let us transform Dubai into the fittest city in the world.
HAMDAN TELLS GULF NEWS: PEOPLE OF DUBAI HAVE CREATED AN INSPIRATIONAL FITNESS MOVEMENT, SENDING A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT TRAVELLED FAR BEYOND OUR CITY
The Dubai Fitness Challenge ends today and the emirate has achieved yet another milestone: a staggering 193,000 runners took part in the recently concluded Dubai Run.
The Dubai Fitness Challenge 30 X 30 (30 minutes for 30 days) is the brainchild of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
Shaikh Hamdan, like years before, led the run, showing his commitment, year after year, to a cause: fitness — that is very dear to his heart. An athlete himself, Shaikh Hamdan has patronised cycling, running, diving and other extreme sports.
For many, participating in the Dubai Fitness Challenge has meant more than just engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days. It has been a lifechanging resolution to transform their wellbeing.”
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Residents’ active participation
It is because of the Dubai Fitness Challenge initiative that residents have adopted an active lifestyle: good health is the key to a wholesome society.
Shaikh Hamdan told Gulf News in a statement: “Congratulations to all fitness enthusiasts in Dubai for committing, once again, to the cause of fitness and health.
“For many, participating in the Dubai Fitness Challenge has meant more than just engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity for 30 days. It has been a life-changing resolution to transform their wellbeing.
This year’s Challenge truly embodied our vision to inspire the emirate’s community of citizens and residents to make fitness their highest priority.
“Together, as a community, the people of Dubai have created an inspirational fitness movement, sending a powerful message that travelled far beyond our city. This event is a demonstration of the emirate’s spirit of determination and the power of the community to inspire change. Together, let us transform Dubai into the fittest city in the world.”
As the 30-day Dubai Fitness Challenge draws to a successful close today, one thing has become clearer than ever: The man behind the initiative, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, is someone who literally leads from the front.
That Fazza, as he is popularly known, has a penchant for all things sporty, outdoorsy and adventurous has long been established. Whether it is his feats on Burj Khalifa and Ain Dubai, swimming with the sharks and elephants, skydiving or participating in Spartan races, the action-packed social media posts about them become viral in no time, his millions of followers in complete awe of all that he does.
As his Insta handle aptly says, “Every picture has a story and every story has a moment…”
Shaikh Hamdan’s zest for sports and fitness is such that it inspires others to follow suit, with the result that it has created a new vibe and level of energy in Dubai.
Before the Dubai Fitness Challenge began, he said, “I look forward to having the whole community unite to turn Dubai into the world’s most active and dynamic city.” Responding to the call, the community did unite — and how.
Singling out an activity would do great injustice to Shaikh Hamdan’s promotion of sports in general. From football to padel tennis, his engagement with a wide variety of sports has been well documented and widely admired.
Football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, who count Fazza among their good friends, have often talked about it. As tennis superstar Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) once tweeted: “On my path, I have met many enthusiasts who love sports, but you @faz3 have raised passion and commitment and respect for sport to another level. Love your work and I am happy to be of service on that fantastic mission of yours to bring love for sports closer to people.”
Here’s a look at the way in which Dubai Fitness Challenge and a host of other initiatives under the leadership and patronage of Shaikh Hamdan have nurtured a sports-and-fitnessfocused mindset among residents, enabling them to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle over the years.