(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) Sports Council unveils its physical activity project Dubai Pulse; two to four playgrounds for children being prepared
Eight new cycling and walking tracks will be opened in Dubai by 2015, said Dr Ahmed Sherif, General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), while giving an overview of its physical activity project — ‘Dubai Pulse’.
Saudi climber calls
for lifestyle changes
Raha Moharrak, first Saudi woman to conquer Mount Everest last year, said she wants to encourage the youth by telling her story.
Raha, 28, was present at the forum to support the idea of physical activity. “People need to understand that physical activity does not only mean sports…it means a lifestyle change that can also include a few minutes of walking,” she said.
A graphic designer by profession, Raha still trains hard to stay fit. “For the climb…and I stayed up there for two months, I had to train on a low altitude by running, playing squash, swimming,” she explained.
“A person needs to believe in oneself…and continuously train and educate oneself.” Everest was one among the 12 peaks Raha has climbed over the years. She plans to conquer the seven summits in future.
The eight will add to the already existing three, including a 47km cycling track, while an 18km-long walking track is being readied.
Two to four playgrounds for children are also being prepared by adding pitches and running tracks, said Dr Sherif.
Since its launch in 2009, the DSC has seen a jump in the number of residents exercising from 34.6 per cent to 41.9 per cent in 2012. “The target is to increase the number to 45 per cent in 2015,” he added.
“We have seen the positive response our projects such as mall walking and similar activities have had,” he said.
“We are also studying a trend in some government departments that motivate employees by
encouraging them to exercise for promotion.”
Experts at the high-level forum held on Monday, during which the first draft of a regional policy on physical activity was drawn up by the GCC countries, said the entire country can emulate the sub-national policies on physical activity in Dubai.
Some PA facts
> Physical activity refers not only to sport and strenuous exercise but to any kind of activity that involves mobility, including recreation, cycling and walking
> The region has the one of the highest rates of physically inactive people around the world
> 1 out of 3 men and 1 out of 2 women are below the minimum recommended levels for PA
> Only 21 per cent of the youth in the region exercise 60 minutes a day on five or more days of the week
How active should people be?
> Youth aged 5-1 years: 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA everyday
> Adults 18-64 years and above: 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity.
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