19,600 participant registered for the 11 kilometers race
National Bank of Kuwait (NBK)’s 25th annualwalkathon kicked off the morning of Saturday 7 December from the Green Islandwith an astonishing 19,600 participants who have registered for the 11 kilometersrace. NBK organized this special occasion to celebrate two and a half decadesof this sports festival. Thousands of cheering supporters, spectators and mediaindividuals lined the racing route on the Arabian Gulf Street to the finishline at the Shuwaikh Beach Park, where the successful event concluded with anaward ceremony and a variety of entertaining activities.
Thousands of participants were walking for strength andhealth awareness. TheWalkathon culminated with a prize giving ceremony where NBK awarded the top 100participants, 10 winners from each of the 5 categories for both male and female and gave away manyvaluable prizes alongside the two brand new Renault cars from Al Babtain Group,NBK’s walkathon strategic partner.
NBK Group Chief Executive Officer, Isam Jasem AlSager took part in the walkathon along with NBK Deputy Group Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar attended the awarding ceremony along with NBK- Kuwait Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Salah Yousef AlFulaij, NBK- Kuwait Deputy CEO, Sulaiman Barrak al Marzouq, NBK General Manager Consumer BankingGroup Mohammad Al Othman, NBK General Manager Group Human Resources Emad Al Ablani and NBK General Manager OperationsGroup Mohammed Al Kharafi and General Manager Automotive at Abdul MohsenAbdul Aziz Al Babtain Laurent Pernet.
Speakingin front of thousands of contestants, spectators and guests who gathered at theend of the walkathon to celebrate the awarding of the first-place winners, NBK Public Relations and communications Assistant General Manager, ManalAl Mattar said: "the this year’s participation from various age categories hadby far exceeded all expectations, providing yet another testament for the community with this mega event, which hasbecome one of the much awaited NBK public activities”.
Al Mattar said: "This year, NBK walkathon celebrates its 25thanniversary. As the first sports event in Kuwait and the GCC, NBK walkathon continuestoday its long tradition in supporting its community”
Al Mattar commented that the great collaboration exhibited by differentministries and governmental institutions, headed by both the Ministry of Healthand the Ministry of Interior, in addition to the Kuwaiti Association ofAthletics Federations, Al Babtain Group and Kuwait Municipality, and manyothers have played a great role to ensure the event’s success.
AlMattar added "NBK strongly supports sporting events and encourages physicalactivities as a means to promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for membersof the community. Titled "One step can change your life”, NBK’s Walkathon aimedto encourage each individual to believe in their ability towards making achange.”
Abdul Mohsen Al Rushaid, NBK Executive manager,Communications and Public relations, said "Over the past 25 years, our aim wasnot only to encourage people to participate but also to enjoy the event.”
"This huge event is one of the huge events in Kuwaitwith the best arrangements. NBK walkathon takes the safety of participants inits top priority,” he added.
"Every year, people wait for NBK’s walkathon. We are keen to meet people’s expectationsevery year because it’s our duty and commitment.”
NBK’s Social Media team broadcastedthe Walkathon live on NBK’s Official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page,posting the updates throughout the day.
25th Anniversary
Multiple points were set up along the race routebetween the Green Island and the Shuwaikh Beach Park that witnessed specialfestivities and celebrations. One of the celebration points arranged was acamel show; others had an exciting DJ, stilt walkers, confetti and folkloricperformances.
LOYAC volunteers
Loyac volunteers were present at the finish line tocheer the participants, encourage them and givethem memorial medals and water bottles.
Omniya’s recycling project
Volunteersfrom the Omniya project and NBK participated in this year’s walkathon. Morethan 100Volunteers gathered at the starting point, and collected plastic waterbottles that were left behind by participants along the 11-kilometer race line.Omniya along with NBK volunteers collected a ton of plastic bottles at the endof the race to help recycle and keep our environment clean.
FarahShaaban, who is one of the founders of the project, said that our partnershipwith NBK aims to create an initiative that encourages recycling in Kuwait. Ourparticipation in NBK’s walkathon is part of this partnership that works tospread awareness and a real contribution in environmental activities.
Preparations
By the early morning hours, organizers ensured thefull readiness of the site to receive the participants. The event started afterNBK volunteers finalized all required organizational and preventive measures toensure the safety of the contestants.
Children’s activities at Shuwaikh Beach Park
This year’s event included organizing events dedicatedto children aged 5 to 11 years old, set up a Shuwaikh Beach Park. The childrenparticipated in several fun-filled contests and games, organized by circuit+and supervised by NBK’s team.
Special Needs and Elderlies
NBK dedicates an annual special competitionwithin the race for people with special needs, as part of the bank’s beliefs ofthe utmost importance of involving all members of society and their ability toprove their active and vital role in various areas and fields, particularlysports. In addition, NBK dedicated a racing category for participants aged 60 years old andabove to encourage a healthier lifestyle among all members of the society.