By Manal Abdel Fattah
Today, Saturday morning, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Ambassador Maryam Al-Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Egypt, launched the activities of the eighth edition of the Zayed Charity Marathon in the New Administrative Capital, which is implemented by the Ministry in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic.
For his part, Lieutenant General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Zayed Charity Race, congratulated those in charge of this event in light of the great success achieved by the Administrative Capital edition, indicating that this success adds more to the UAE’s balance in charitable work, as the UAE is led by Sheikh Mohammed. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, continues her constant leadership in adopting initiatives that support good deeds and help those affected in various countries of the world.
He said: “We consider the marathon an annual holiday that culminates Egyptian-Emirati relations as evidence of reaching the eighth edition and maintaining the race at the same time in December, which made it an important event on the agenda of charitable sports events in the Emirates and Egypt, and confirms the keenness of the wise leadership in the Emirates and Egypt to continue the role it plays.” This event draws joy and happiness on the faces of the beneficiaries of its proceeds, as well as the participants, for whom we are keen annually to increase the prizes allocated to encourage the achievement of the race’s message, which is achieved through large participation in a way that reflects the civilization of the Egyptian people.”
Al Kaabi praised the keenness of the wise leadership in the Emirates to support goodness and giving, stressing that the Zayed Charity Race in Egypt strengthens Emirati charitable convoys, and proves that the Emirates stands behind every idea and initiative to raise charitable affairs among countries of the world, pointing out that the Emirates has always extended a helping hand and provided assistance. Goodness and development for all peoples in various aspects and issues, as an extension of the approach of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his white hands, which are accustomed to giving generously in the fields of humanitarian work and supporting and assisting those affected.
He pointed out that the race is not just a sporting event or a charitable work, but it is bigger than that, as it carries many motives that urge the spread of good initiatives in Arab societies and the world, by exploiting sports as a vital platform for spreading the culture and acts of goodness, communicating with peoples, and achieving the goals of peace and rapprochement with everyone. He stressed that the UAE’s greatest legacy is its inexhaustible wealth of goodness.
Meanwhile, Obaid Al Balushi, head of the Red Crescent Authority delegation, expressed his happiness at participating in the Zayed Charity Marathon, and his contributions to benefiting the sick and alleviating their suffering, stressing that this event enhances the state’s role in the arenas of humanitarian giving, by alleviating the burden of health and humanitarian suffering on the shoulders of vulnerable segments and groups. .
He pointed out that the Emirates Red Crescent Authority has allocated 100 trips for Umrah, in addition to distributing gifts to participants and those interested in the charitable culture of sports, noting that the Authority has launched several humanitarian initiatives on the sidelines of the marathon activities, including distributing 3,000 food parcels, benefiting 15,000 from Giza, Helwan and Fayoum governorates.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Rifai, CEO of the Misr Al Kheir Foundation, stressed that the partnership between the Zayed Marathon and the “Misr Al Kheir” Foundation is to support and maximize the role of Egyptian civil society in performing its role, and the diversity of activities present in the marathon allows donations and support to be directed to a number of different aspects. He explained that the Foundation’s partnership in the Zayed Charity Marathon is considered the second cooperation, as the first cooperation was in the Ismailia Marathon.
Rifai added that this edition is witnessing an unprecedented turnout, unique from any other race, through the participation of multiple categories, especially people of determination, indicating that the continuation of the race supports the mechanisms of charitable work and represents support for the importance and role of sports in order to spread humanitarian messages to the world regarding the necessity of spreading sports in accordance with A humanitarian concept, pointing out that the Misr El Kheir Foundation always supports constructive, purposeful thought that presents a message, and cooperation in the intersection of the importance of sports and charitable activity.
The marathon witnessed a large turnout of young people, youth, and citizens, amounting to 31,000 participants, including 3,884 participants with disabilities (wheelchairs), and 906 of short stature. The proceeds from the marathon are allocated to the Misr Al Khair Foundation, the People’s Hospital, and some government hospitals.
The race route began from People’s Square in the New Administrative Capital, passing through the government district in the capital and back again, in the presence of Lieutenant General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Zayed Charity Race, Engineer Khaled Abbas, President of the Administrative Capital Company, Obaid Al Balushi, Head of the Red Crescent Authority delegation, and Dr. Mohamed Rifai, CEO of the Misr El Kheir Foundation, and a group of leaders from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The organizing committee for the marathon has set many prizes this year for the participating entities, approaching 10 million pounds, divided into 5,000 prizes, and a raffle for Umrah trips for the contestants.
