Aluminium giant is Gold Sponsor of this year’s 7Emirates Run ultra-marathon.

United Arab Emirates, 19 November 2015: Committed to contributing meaningfully to the communities where it operates, Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) is the Gold Sponsor of the 2015 7EmiratesRun (“7ER”), a 12-day ultra-marathon journeying across the UAE. Held in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation, the marathon’s mission is to ‘get children back on their feet’ by raising funds to pay for life-transforming surgeries and post-operative medical support for children in the UAE who are unable to walk.

“This purpose is very close to our corporate heart,” says Khalid Essa Buhumaid (Senior Vice President, Communication & Government Relations at EGA). “A proudly Emirati company, we support the community development initiatives of the UAE government. Our CSR efforts focus, among other areas, on helping special needs individuals to lead fuller lives.”

The 2015 edition of 7ER is taking place under the patronage of H H Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. It starts in Abu Dhabi on 21 November and finishes in Dubai on 2 December, coincident with UAE National Day. During the gruelling cross-country run, 49 runners in seven teams - representing the seven Emirates – will cover an average of 50km per day.

The 12-day period of 7ER coincides with the inaugural UAE National Sports Day on Wednesday 25 November. Launched by H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai), UAE National Sports Day aims to promote healthy living and friendly sporting competition in the local community. These same objectives are upheld at EGA, where an extensive array of sporting facilities is provided for employees – including hockey, cricket and football fields; badminton, tennis, basketball and squash courts; a swimming pool; a gym; and a nine-hole golf course. Regular competitions are held at individual and inter-department level, motivating employees to reach new levels of fitness.

“As part of our concern for the wellbeing of our employees, we encourage them to follow a healthy and active lifestyle,” explains Buhumaid. “We are pleased that our efforts are in line with the aims of UAE National Sports Day, and that the facilities we provide enable our employees to pursue their sports interests every day of the year.”