The Dubai Sports Council has welcomed His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s launch of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) as their vision to set up a distinguished and happy sporting community in Dubai is in line and overlaps with the month-long fitness event’s aim of making Dubai one of the most active cities in the world.

Tasked with developing and improving sports in Dubai, creating a comprehensive sports environment that meets the city’s requirements, and paving the way for youth to cultivate their sporting and cultural talents and aptitudes in a way that leads them to achieve tangible results, Dubai Sports Council supports the city-wide fitness initiative as a way to effect positive change and highlight Dubai’s year-round sports facilities, clubs and events.

It is thanks to the city’s world-class sports infrastructure that residents are assured that the steps they take towards a healthier and happier lifestyle during DFC will be fully supported far beyond the month-long event, enabling them to permanently integrate exercise and activity into their daily routines.

There are a number of top-class sports facilities like the Hamdan Sports Complex available in Dubai, catering to many different sports and these facilities can be accessed year-round. Dubai also has a number of sports clubs like Al Nasr, Al Wasl, Al Ahli Shabab – Dubai, Hatta Sports Club, Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai Club for People of Determination and Dubai Chess and Culture Club, while in terms of sports events, Dubai boasts a packed schedule. Some of the calendar highlight events are taking place during DFC – such as The Color Run, Dubai Women’s Triathlon, Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, Fitness Expo Dubai, and Saucony Time Trial Run – and several others are organised throughout the year.

HE Saeed Hareb, General Secretary of Dubai Sports Council, said: “We at Dubai Sports Council are proud to partner with Dubai Fitness Challenge to help achieve the lofty goals of Dubai as a city of sport, happiness, physical activity and positive energy. We are the official body responsible for sport in Dubai and we organise and support more than 400 international, national and community-level events. And these 400-plus events are spread out across 60 different sports, reflecting the diversity of a city that’s home to more than 200 nationalities. We embrace this diversity and try to provide something for everyone.”

DFC 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.

The Challenge encompasses all forms of activity – from walking, team sports, paddle-boarding and yoga, to cycling, football, beach cricket, Zumba and everything in between. To take part, participants simply have to register and then track their performance on the DFC app.