02/10/2024
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02/10/2024
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 02: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) held a press conference at its headquarters yesterday morning to announce the details of the NBK Run 2024, which scheduled for December 14th. The event was attended by executives from the bank and the organizing company, representatives of the strategic partners of this major sporting event and covered by various media outlets.
In her speech at the conference, Manal Al-Mattar, Head of Group Corporate Communications at National Bank of Kuwait said, “This year, NBK proudly celebrates 30 years of the NBK Run, which is a major social sporting event organized on annual basis.”
“The NBK Run has become a symbol of social cohesion, rather than just a sporting event, and a message to everyone to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. This aligns with NBK’s firm belief that sport is not only a way to improve physical well-being but also to promote positive values like cooperation, determination and perseverance, therefore, the bank is keen on organizing this race every year, being a platform to promote these values, and it gives participants the opportunity to enjoy an experience full of enthusiasm and fun,” she remarked.
“I would like to take this opportunity to point out that the NBK Run, which is considered the largest sporting event of its kind in Kuwait given its massive public participation and extensive media coverage year after year, will allow in its upcoming version different age groups and genders to participate in different challenges in the 5km and 10km categories, according to their physical abilities. This will foster challenge and competition among the participants. To enhance competitiveness and excitement, we will be offering valuable prizes for the winners and participants, as well as special draws for the public, ensuring a fun experience for all,” she continued.
New Categories
Al-Mattar highlighted that NBK has added 3 new categories for participants in the NBK Run 2024, to allow wider segments to participate in this spectacular event. “Underscoring its pioneering position as one of the most socially responsible institutions in Kuwait, and in a step to engage different sectors of society in this major event, and to foster its leading efforts in extending all means of support to people with special needs, the bank announced that NBK Run 2024 will be different from the previous versions, by including introducing 3 new categories for the people with special needs for both men and women, including wheelchairs, blind and prosthetic limbs, with the starting point being from Kuwait Towers for a distance of 5 km,” she explained.
“The participation of people with special needs in this year’s race is an initiative of one of the leading petrochemical companies, EQUATE, which was keen to include this segment to the participants and provided valuable prizes for the winners: KD 500, KD 400 and KD 300 for the first, second and third place winners respectively, in each of the three categories, for both men and women,” she added.
Al-Mattar thanked the strategic partners who joined NBK Run this year in recognition of the importance of this long-standing and successful race and their role in supporting the community. She also expressed her thanks to all those who helped in organizing this race, including teams, sponsors, and especially government institutions who help us spread awareness on the importance of sport and its role in promoting public health.
Al-Mattar concluded her speech by inviting everyone, from sports enthusiasts to professionals, to participate in this race that combines sporting competition with a festive atmosphere, saying: “I invite everyone to register and participate in the NBK Run to create a day full of challenge and positivity. With your participation and support, this event will be a success.”
Clear Impact
On his part, Ahmed Al-Majed, Executive Manager at the Suffix Company for Sports Events Management, expressed the company’s pride in continuing to partner with NBK in organizing this major social sporting event, which year after year proves its excellence and success in attracting large numbers of participants from all segments of society.
“NBK Run is the oldest sporting event in Kuwait, and it was a trailblazer for many entities to organize similar sporting events, as well as a source of inspiration for us,” he added.
He said that sports events in the GCC countries are usually organized with the sponsorship of government, while in Kuwait, the private sector is leading the organization of these events, underscoring its belief that sport is a key factor to develop societies, and that it has become culturally and economically impactful, and much more.
“At Suffix, we look forward to providing all capabilities for participants and spectators to spend an enjoyable social sporting day, and always aim to organize outstanding events that help raise the bar of sporting events in Kuwait and the region,” he concluded.
Greater Corporation from Strategic Partners
The NBK Run 2024 will be different from previous versions, as there will be greater collaboration from strategic partners who will provide valuable prizes for the winners, participants as well as spectators.
“We at Al Babtain Group are delighted to participate for the 15th year in this important sporting event, as our sponsorship of the NBK Run comes as part of our CSR activities and our belief in the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle in the community, and we encourage our employees and family members to join and participate in this race,” said Sandi Nassar, Senior Customer Experience Specialist at Al-Babtain.
“Al Babtain Group will be giving away an all-new Nissan X-Trail 2024, as contestants in the NBK Run will be eligible to enter the draw to win the car once they register for the race,” she added.
“We are proud of our strategic partnership with NBK over the past years, especially as the NBK Run is a spectacular event with massive participation from all segments of society. In line with our social responsibility, we are happy to participate and sponsor important events organized by NBK,” commented Sundus AlShatti, Director Digital Service of Ooredoo – Kuwait.
She said that Ooredoo will be giving away prizes during NBK Run this year, including iPhones, Apple Watches, Shamel plan subscriptions, as well as a draw on a Platinum Line worth KD 5,000, which participants will qualify for once they register.
“The new version of the NBK Run will witness a new achievement and a qualitative leap by adding the special needs category. EQUATE will sponsor participants in this category in 3 groups: Wheelchairs, Blind and Prosthetics users, where EQUATE will provide cash prizes for the winners,” mentioned Lulwa Al-Munaifi, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programme at Equate Petrochemical Company.
Al-Munaifi emphasized that the aim of adding this category is not a mere contest to win, but to integrate people with special needs into society and promote inclusion, adding: “We aim to bring change through this race to the lives of this category to contribute more effectively to the development of society.”
She added that this year, EQUATE has recruited a number of people with special needs to be part of its team, which has had a positive impact on the company’s work environment.
“The NBK Run is not an ordinary event, but one of the largest events in Kuwait, and we are pleased with our continued strategic partnership with NBK,” noted Khalid Al-Mutawa, Corporate Relations Manager at Ali AbdulWahab Al Mutawa Commercial Company.
He explained that AAW’s participation in sponsoring the race through its brands Intersport and Joe & The Juice does not only aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and sports, but also reflects the company’s support of the national vision for sustainable healthy living and Kuwait Vision 2035.
“We are pleased to sponsor this major sporting event and continue the strategic partnership with NBK,” said AbdulWahab Al Qenaei, Public Relations Manager at CHIPS.
“At CHIPS, we always seek to integrate technology and electronics with sports, especially since electronics is closely related to all sports,” he added, wishing success to all strategic sponsors and participants in the NBK Run this year.
“We are pleased with our strategic partnership with NBK in this sporting event, which is the largest in Kuwait, and to host the race on the Sea Front, which is a key touristic destination in Kuwait, adjacent to the landmark Kuwait Towers,” quoted Abdullah AlOmani, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Touristic Enterprises Company.
Al-Omani highlighted that the Sea Front was developed to provide a sporting environment and places for running, walking and cycling, pointing out that the first phase of the Sea Front development project was inaugurated last February, while the second and final phase will be inaugurated next February.
He added that TEC’s 2024-2025 Strategy aims to strengthen its partnership with the creative and inspiring private sector, and our sponsorship of the NBK Run comes in this context, noting that the company will provide 16,000 entry tickets to its facilities and parks (Winter Wonderland and South Sabahiya Park) to all contestants in NBK Run this year.
Al Mosawi: People with special needs are excited to participate in the race
Speaking at the press conference, Faisal Al Mosawi, holder of 3 Guinness World Records including the fastest wheelchair-using scuba diver in the world, extended thanks to NBK and EQUATE, as well as the strategic sponsors of the NBK Run 2024, for taking the initiative to include people with special needs.
Al Mosawi stressed that this meaningful initiative stands out with the fact that the participation of people with special needs will not be honorary, noting that promoting competition by honoring the winners creates a sense of inclusion in the community, and the positive impact will extend beyond the end of the race.
He said that through his communication with some people with special needs, he found that they were very happy and enthusiastic to participate in the race.
Early Registration
NBK has already opened early registration for the 2024 NBK Run starting from September 18th to October 5th through the “Suffix” website, offering special discounts on race fees. Following this period, registration will continue at regular prices until all slots are filled.
The race will start at 8:30 a.m. on December 14th, featuring two distances, both beginning and ending at Kuwait Towers. The 10 km route will proceed towards Souq Sharq, then turn and follow the Gulf Road, reaching 200 meters before the intersection with Green Island, before returning to Kuwait Towers.
The second distance of the race is 5 km, starting from Kuwait Towers and heading towards Souq Sharq. Competitors will then turn and continue running until they reach the intersection at Kuwait Army Club.
The race will honor the top three winners in both the 7men’s and women’s 10 km categories with cash prizes of KD 1,000, KD 700, and KD 500, respectively. The top three winners in the men’s and women’s 5 km categories will receive KD 500, KD 400, and KD 300, respectively.
