Sharjah24: The Friends of Arthritis Patients (FAP) of the Health Promotion Department (HPD) at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah has announced in cooperation with Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club the launch of the first Al Dhaid Charity Marathon on the 4th of February in Al Dhaid under the motto ‘Movement is Life’. The event is one of the FAP's initiatives that aim to promote physical activity, in addition to supporting arthritis patients.

The announcement of the charity marathon came in a press conference organized by the FAB on Monday (yesterday), at Al Dhaid Fort, where Salem Mohammed bin Howaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club, and Wahida Abdulaziz, Chairperson of the Friends of Arthritis Patients Association, and Saeed Ali Al Ajel, a sports expert at the Sharjah Sports Council, spoke in the presence of officials, sports organizations, media and volunteers.

Wahida Abdulaziz started the press conference by thanking and praising Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, for continuously supporting the association and the patients and alleviating their suffering. Abdulaziz also praised Sheikha Jawaher keenness to achieve sustainable health and happiness, explaining that the association seeks to make the first marathon in Al Dhaid as an introduction to the association’s largest event, the tenth charitable marathon, which will be held in March. She pointed out that choosing the city of Al Dhaid to launch the marathon is part of the association's bigger plans to expand to all the cities and areas of Sharjah, as well as promoting the tourist areas of the central region.

Salem Mohammed bin Howaiden Al Ketbi stressed that the participation of Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club in this event is to fulfill the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his vision by highlighting the most important cultural achievements and heritage landmarks of Al Dhaid city, based on the club's role of supporting sports and community activities, and encouraging civil and local society institutions to take part in awareness activities.

Saeed Ali Al Ajel stressed that the Sharjah Sports Council is keen to support all community sporting events in Sharjah, which would make sport a way of life or a means of promoting health and fitness, as well as encouraging everyone to take part in supporting charitable events, reflecting one of the chief directions of the Sharjah Sports Council.

The conference was a chance to unveil who can participate in the marathon, which are divided into five categories: the one-kilometer for the ages between 8 and 20 years, the 3km category for those from 8 to 40 years and over, the 5km category for ages 14 to 40 years and over, and the 10km for those from the age of 16 to 40 years and over.  The fifth category, however, is divided into the subcategories like the oldest and youngest competitor, the best family, the largest participating government authority, the largest participating private organisation, and the largest participating school. The gathering, start and end point will be at Al Dhaid Cultural Club.

Participants will receive tips and instructions related to the prevention against arthritis by experts and specialists, and they will also receive medical examinations and consultations. There will be competitions and prizes for the winners. The event activities have been planned to support the endeavours of the FAP and the Sharjah of promoting healthy lifestyles as a prevention against arthritis and other chronic diseases.