Yallah Walk begins

Yallah Walk, Dubai's largest health awareness campaign, kicked off in Safa Park yesterday.

The Yallah Walk, Dubai's largest health awareness campaign, begins in Safa Park yesterday. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // Scores of participants converged on Safa Park yesterday to lend their support to the largest health awareness campaign in Dubai, the Yallah Walk.

More than 45,000 participants are expected to take part in the event, which runs until March 19 at public walking tracks across the city.

"We are encouraging more people to walk and they can register online or at the public parks," said Hussein Nasser Lootah, the director general of Dubai Municipality, which organised the event.

"Dubai Municipality has set up a large number of parks and sporting facilities and we are trying to entice people to use them by presenting prizes."

Mr Lootah said two cars will be presented, one for a male winner and one for a female winner. Children can win prizes of electronic games. Participants are given electronic wristbands that enable them to calculate the distance they have covered.

"This is a very exciting initiative and I came with my family to try it out," said one participant, Vijay Ganesh.

The event was supported by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation, which has participated annually for four years.

"Every year we do a walkathon and this year we are happy to co-operate with Dubai Municipality in this event," said Katrina Thornly, the patient-support director at the foundation.

"The purpose of our participation is to show the public that arthritics can function, and raise awareness about it."

Dr Humeira Badshah, an arthritis specialist based in Dubai, presented a lecture before the event about the benefits of walking and exercise.

Today, activities take place at Mamzar Park, Al Khawaneej Walking Track, Zabeel Park and Al Barsha Park. The closing ceremony takes place at 5pm on March 19 in Al Mamzar Park.