United Arab Emirates: Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, has kicked off its activities for the Dubai Fitness Challenge with a walkathon at the company’s site at Jebel Ali. Over 200 employees geared up and walked 1.5 kilometres.

EGA’s Youth Council has organised a full month of fitness activities at the company for the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

The Dubai Fitness Challenge was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, in 2017 and aims to transform Dubai into the most active city in the world. The initiative challenges residents to complete 30 minutes of activity a day for 30 days.

The Dubai Fitness Challenge 2019 started on 18 October and will run until 16 November.

Zainab AlHammadi, Acting Chairperson of the EGA Youth Council, said: “At EGA, we prioritise keeping ourselves safe and healthy including by finding ways to help maintain active lifestyles. The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to encourage everyone to exercise more. The EGA Youth Council has organised fitness activities across EGA this month so everyone can accept the challenge and get fitter.”

The EGA Youth Council has planned activities during the month including marathons at the company’s Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites, a ‘Step Challenge’ for getting in the highest number of steps per day, and a competition for weight-loss through physical activity. Other 30x30 activities at EGA will include yoga sessions and participation in the ‘Desert Warrior’ challenge.

EGA has a history of encouraging employee fitness, with sports facilities at the company’s sites and well-established sports clubs ranging from tennis to basketball and yoga. EGA has also sponsored Dubai Sports World, the annual summer indoor sporting event for the past three years.