Dubai stages Incheon Asian Games fun run

Over 600 schoolchildren gathered at Al Mamzar Park in Dubai on Wednesday to take part in the 7th official fun run of the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014.

The event attracted participants from local private and state schools that completed the 1.5km course as part of the build-up to the 17th Asian Games.

The Asiad will take place in Incheon, Korea from September 19 to October 4, 2014, with 45 countries competing in 36 sporting disciplines.

A total of 15 delegates who will be attending the Olympic Solidarity/OCA Regional Forum for Central Asia and West Asia in Dubai also took part in the fun run alongside the local community to promote the 17th Asian Games.

Ali Jassim, General Manager of the United Arab Ministry of Education said: “This event has given students here in Dubai a strong connection to the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014. These children will watch the games in three years’ time and know that they had something to do with that. To have the opportunity to be part of something that important will help these children with all of their goals.”

Saeed Abdul Gaffar Hussain, Secretary General of the UAE National Olympic Committee added: “We are honoured to be part of the Incheon Asian Games preparation and we thank the Olympic Council of Asia and the organising committee to have us chosen for hosting the 7th official fun run. The Asian Games are important to the people in UAE and we look forward to seeing our best athletes compete in 2014.”

Prior to the Dubai event, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in conjunction with the various National Olympic Committees, had already held six fun runs this year to promote the 17th Asian Games. Following the success in Dubai, the eighth fun run will be hosted in Phuket, Thailand on Friday, October 21.

Director of the OCA Asian Games Department, Haider Farman believes the fun runs are of significant importance to the preparation to the Asian Games.

He said: “Events like this help bring out what is best about the Asian Games. Not only do we get a chance to visit these beautiful countries but we also have the opportunity to explore different cultures. The fun runs offer the chance to bring communities together from all throughout the Middle East and Asia while also encouraging health and fitness.

“The 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 will be an event that’s unlike any other and these fun runs will give children a reason to watch. Our goal is to develop as many young athletes as we can here in the region and the fun run offers the chance for more children to get involved.”
 

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