10,000 UAE residents work out at Dubai parks in weight-for-gold campaign

Dubai Municipality has organised three days of exercise classes in various parks for the close to 10,000 residents trying to shed their extra kilos. Jaime Puebla / The National

DUBAI // Participants in the Your Weight in Gold campaign will get a helping hand from the civic body over the next few days.

Dubai Municipality has organised three days of exercise classes in various parks for the close to 10,000 residents trying to shed their extra kilos.

Between 5pm and 9pm today the civic body has organised activities in Al Safa Park, classes will be held in Zabeel Park on Wednesday and the third class will be held on? Friday at the Mamzar Beach jogging track.

“During these open days participants will have a chance to have different sorts of medical check-ups and participate in diverse sports that may give them the right directions to keep a healthy life and lose weight in a safe ways,” said Yusuf Murad Salmeen, head of the media section at the civic body.

The Your Weight in Gold campaign, which runs until August 30, has offered to pay residents who lose less than 5kilograms a gram of gold for each kilo of weight lost, 2g of gold per kilo lost for those who lose more than 5kg and 3g of gold per kilo lost for those who lose more than 10kg.

The three biggest losers will be entered into a draw for a chance to receive a gold coin worth Dh20,000.

Apart from the three sports day, the civic body has also started special camps on Wednesdays and Thursdays at sites where the weigh-ins took place to provide additional support to the participants.

“These camps which will be available till the end of August. Experts and health consultants will be available there to impart necessary instructions and advice to participants to assist them to complete the mission in a safe and healthy way” said Mr Salmeen.

The support camps will run between 5pm and 9pm.

The municipality has also set up two hotlines for queries from the participants.

“Participants can call us at 04 206 4055 or 04 206 4077 between 10am and 12pm for all kinds of information. Medical and nutrition experts will answer their queries and give advice accordingly” said Ali Al Giffari, a member of the organising committee.

“Dubai Municipality wants to provide people with the incentive to get healthy and the facilities to do so in a correct and healthy manner,” said Mr Al Giffari.

For general queries regarding registration and other matters related to the campaign, participants can contact 800900 any time.

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