SHARJAH

The region’s most anticipated automotive graphic design event – the MEMTS Airbrush Contest – is here.

To be held as part of the third edition of the Middle East Motor Tuning Show at Expo Centre Sharjah from March 15 to 17, 2012, the Airbrush Contest aims to bring the spotlight on to the rising stars in the field.

The competition, now in its second instalment, will give people a chance to create their own car body airbrush design or win a free airbrush design for their car.

“The Airbrush Contest will help enthusiasts showcase their artistic ability and add more excitement and a dash of colour and creativity to the region’s premier tuning show. The contest was a runaway success last year and we are back with this exciting pre-event activity aimed at inspiring creative minds,” said Mr Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah.

The winning airbrushed car and design, to be chosen by online voting, will be unveiled on the first day of the Middle East Motor Tuning Show, and will be carried out on the vehicle live at the show.

“As in the past edition of the contest, we will look into the originality, element of art and craftsmanship of participants. The work of art will take shape right before your eyes as we will take the winning design from paper to metal,” added Mr Midfa.

The airbrush design will be carried out by Al Ghandi Customs, the leading tuning and modification garage in the UAE.

“Possibilities are infinite, the only limitation is your imagination,” said James Liddle, Director – Aftersales, Al Ghandi Auto Group.

According to the contest’s rules and regulations, participants can choose to enter the ‘Car for airbrush’ or ‘Airbrush design’ categories, or both. In the ‘Car for airbrush’ category, contestants need to illustrate why their vehicles should be chosen for a free airbrush design.

“How persuasive you are with your reasons will decide how many votes you will get and it is perfectly OK to ask your friends and well-wishers to lend their support in getting the maximum votes for your car,” added Mr Midfa.

In the ‘Airbrush design’ category, contestants will have to submit their airbrush designs, and the entries will be featured on the MEMTS website seeking votes from visitors.

Entries for the Airbrush Contest can be submitted from February 1 until 29 and the 10 finalists will be announced on March 1.

For its forthcoming edition, MEMTS will feature the latest trends in car modification from leading global companies, including several dedicated areas for different types of cars and customization.

“We are back again. And this time we are packing a powerful punch with several new amazing features, new partners and new participants. Get ready for three days of pure, unadulterated fun and excitement,” said Roman Gavrilin, Project Manager, Middle East Motor Tuning Show.

Some of the hot attractions at the show will include the Performance tuning, Styling and Accessories Area and the Car Audio section.

The entertainment section will host two drifting arenas where a 4×4 vehicle drifting is supported by Top Speed Performance and another area for saloon car drifting is organized by SSK Drift team. This is in addition to the EMMA Car Audio Competition which has become a regular ‘volume’ addition to the event.

The second edition of the Middle East Motor Tuning Show was held in May 2011 and during its three-day run it attracted more than 30,000 visitors.

Herzogenaurach, Germany (2 February 2012) - PUMA announced today it has entered into a new multi-year partnership with BMW Motorsport.  The global Sportlifestyle brand has become the Official Supplier of team and racewear for all BMW Motorsport racing operations, including DTM, ALMS and various high-profile long-distance races such as 24h Nürburgring.  PUMA will also assume the role of Exclusive Licensed Partner for BMW Motorsport for the product categories of Footwear, Apparel and Accessories.

This new partnership, effective from 1 February 2012, will see PUMA benefit from prominent branding locations on all BMW Motorsport racing cars and all Race and Teamwear for BMW Motorsport technical staff.  With BMW re-entering the DTM racing class in 2012 following an illustrious history in GT car racing, PUMA will outfit drivers Martin Tomczyk, Bruno Spengler, Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus, Dirk Werne and Joey Hand with the latest innovations in fireproof technology.

In 2004, PUMA first partnered with BMW Motorsport, through its involvement with the BMW Williams Formula One team.  This relationship continued when BMW acquired Sauber F1 to become BMW Sauber F1, and after BMW ceased its Formula One activities in 2009 to reorganise its activities, PUMA and BMW Motorsport have once again joined forces with this new deal.

PUMA will also develop BMW Motorsport licensed products for global sales and distribution.  While existing motorsport markets in Europe are a key focus for this distribution, a strong emphasis will be placed on expanding sales performance of BMW Motorsport products in emerging markets, particularly in Asia Pacific and the Americas. 

“It is great to have such a well-known and reliable partner as PUMA on board again at such an exciting time for us,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “The link between BMW Motorsport and this successful company has grown over the years and goes as far back as the 2004 season. It is hard to imagine our team and driver apparel without the characteristic PUMA logo. As a strong partner in the field of licensed products, PUMA will play a major role in ensuring that our fans around the world enjoy the products from the BMW Motorsport collections.”

Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing at PUMA said: “PUMA is delighted to once again be working with BMW Motorsport, following the successes we enjoyed with them through their tenure in Formula One.  Their heritage in competitive motorsport and automotive engineering is so impressive, and their global profile derived from this makes them another strong partner for PUMA in motorsport.  Through our experience in licensed product development and distribution we are fully confident this will be a successful partnership for both parties, and we hope to grow it in the years to come.”

Dr. Thomas Goerdt, Head of Lifestyle Collections in the BMW Group, added: “From 2012, BMW will be even more active and prominent in motorsport than it has been in recent years. For this reason, securing this partnership with PUMA was a priority for BMW Lifestyle right from the start. As leading sport lifestyle brand, PUMA boasts a unique wealth of expertise and proficiency in developing and distributing licensed products on a global scale. Bearing in mind the great success we have enjoyed together in the past, we are looking forward to continuing this partnership.”

Eleven local coaches accredited at leading UAE soccer school

Abu Dhabi, UAE 29 January 2012:  Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in Abu Dhabi has underlined its commitment to the development of local talent by accrediting eleven UAE-based football coaches through its rigorous coaching programme.

The coaches who support the MUSS team of Andy Dixon and Craig Taylor all hail from sporting backgrounds and have proved their commitment to developing young football talent in the UAE.

A true blend of nationalities and cultures, reflecting the population of Abu Dhabi and of the children who take part in the MUSS programmes, the 11-strong team of local coaches include UAE national Ahmed Hamoud, a former Al Jazira striker and former professional Dutch footballer with AFC Ajax, Khalid Hamdaoui.

Leading the UAE’s first girls-only football programme is local coach Stela Samuela, a physical education teacher with GEMS American Academy in Khalifa City who is originally from Romania and has lived in the UAE for eight years.

Andy Dixon, MUSS head coach in Abu Dhabi, said: “We have trained these coaches to fully understand how to deliver fantastic soccer programmes the Manchester United way and make a difference in the lives of the children who take part in our programmes.

“We attract players of all abilities, from many different backgrounds, and with different learning abilities, and we develop our coaches so that they are able to get the best out of every individual they work with.”

Gavin Rhodes, Head of Coaching for Manchester United Soccer Schools based in Old Trafford who oversees all local coach development in the UK and abroad visited the UAE capital to formally accredit the Abu Dhabi team. 

“Our commitment to work with and be part of the local community in a city like Abu Dhabi is so important,” he said.  “Having seen the coaches in their sessions, watching the way they teach the art of football to children from all over the world underlines to me the vital role our local coaches play in delivering the very best teaching methods to our MUSS children.

“We are very proud of our coaching team in Abu Dhabi.  They continue to represent Manchester United Soccer Schools in a very professional and positive way, delivering against our key coaching philosophies.  To see such a development across the last 12 months is great testimony to everyone concerned with the Abu Dhabi programme”.

Manchester United Soccer Schools in Abu Dhabi Local Coaches
 Adil Bentafrit, Morocco
 Ahmed Hamood, UAE
 Brett Dickerson, USA
 Khalid Hamdaoui, Holland
 Khalid Al Maflahi, UAE
 Llion Thomas, UK
 Marc Evans, UK
 Paul Walker, UK
 Reda El Hammouni, Morocco
 Seth Amoafo, Ghana
 Stela Samuela, Romania

The MUSS Abu Dhabi coaching team is now teaching more than 350 children signed up to the latest soccer school programme which focuses on the skills and attitude of three Manchester United legends, Ryan Giggs, Nani and Antonio Valencia.  The new girls-only sessions are now fully booked, emphasising the popularity of football among girls in the UAE.

Registration is now open for the April 2012 programme, ‘Learn to attack with flair the United way’, which features 12.5 hours of on-field coaching by the certified MUSS coaches.  The cost of AED1,650 includes an exclusive Nike Manchester United training kit of shirt, shorts and socks, MUSS drawstring bag, water bottle and skills ball as well as catch-up sessions and individual player evaluation.

All players enrolled in the programme in Abu Dhabi will take part in the MUSS series of skills challenges with the top two point scorers receiving an all expenses paid trip to Manchester to represent Abu Dhabi in the World Skills Final at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground as well as the world famous Old Trafford stadium in 2012.

Abu Dhabi based developer Reem Investments, which signed a partnership agreement with MUSS, built the Dome@Rawdhat to create a vibrant sporting community in the area.  More than 12,000 people use the facilities every month. 

To learn more about the MUSS programme visit www.manutdsoccerschools.ae or call 02 449 8480.

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Wednesday 25th January, 2012: World number one, Luke Donald, will have no fears about playing out of the sand at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, after the Englishman successfully tackled the world’s biggest ‘bunker’ – a mammoth dune in Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert, the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass.

In Liwa, Donald was joined by triple and defending Abu Dhabi champion, Martin Kaymer, as the awe-struck pair stood amongst 250-foot sand dunes at the entrance to Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) - a desert made famous by British explorer Wilfred Thesiger’s 1940’s crossing and immortalised in the timeless book: Arabian Sands.

“Well that was no ordinary sand-trap!” said Donald, who became the first player in history to top both the PGA and European PGA money lists last year. “When you spend the vast majority of your time on the course, it’s easy to forget that Abu Dhabi is surrounded by such an enchanting desert landscape. Truly, I was awestruck at the gigantic enormity of it all.”

Kaymer and Donald headline an Abu Dhabi field that is the strongest ever assembled at a Middle East tournament. Other contenders for the $2.7million, PGA European Tour event include Abu Dhabi debutant, Tiger Woods, world numbers two and three, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, respectively, as well as reigning Major champions, Charl Schwartzel (US Masters) and Darren Clarke (The Open), Australian hot-shot, Jason Day, Korea’s top ranked player, KJ Choi, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.

Street soccer skills perfected in new six-week clinic at the Dome@Rawdhat

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 24 January, 2012: Abu Dhabi’s home of football, the Dome@Rawdhat, has launched the UAE’s first street soccer academy, a new six-week programme teaching the art of street soccer to fancy footwork enthusiasts.

The Streetkings Football Academy will kick-start on 5 February and is open to all ages and abilities.  The popularity of street soccer is quickly growing in the UAE; the inaugural Streetkings tournament at the Dome last month saw more than 120 people take part and the launch of the new academy is in direct response to the positive feedback of street soccer in the emirates.

Streetkings founder Edward van Gils is due to make a surprise visit during the programme and will take the players through a special training session.  A former player at Dutch league side AZ Alkamar, van Gils is a cult figure around the world because of his awe-inspiring abilities to effortlessly manipulate a football in a flamboyant show of ball control, imagination and showmanship.

Van Gils and his colleague Izzy Hitman have worked with fellow Dutchman Khalid Hamdaoui, another former professional footballer and now full time coach at the Dome@Rawdhat and Manchester United Soccer Schools in Abu Dhabi, who will deliver the new academy sessions.

The first six-week programme runs every Sunday evening and will teach three age groups how to apply street soccer tricks, ball control, beat moves, positioning and highly skilled passing during a game of football.  Registration is now open for the academy which costs AED680 for six sessions which includes a branded Streetkings kit of t-shirt, shorts and socks.

Age Group Time
6-12yrs   5:00pm – 6:00pm
13-17yrs 6:15pm – 7:15pm
18yrs+  7:30pm – 8:30pm

Streetkings has set up a permanent home in Abu Dhabi and the first academy programme of its kind in the region will be followed by additional sessions in April 2012 and June 2012.  More one-day tournaments and special events are also in the planning stages.

“The ethos behind street soccer is to be as creative as possible and have some fun with the football,” said van Gils, who is known as the Godfather of street football.  “The new academy will focus on developing the players’ technical skills as well as building their confidence, discipline, dedication and attitude, both on and off the pitch.”

Street soccer has taken off around the world, and van Gils has appeared in major brand television commercials with famous footballers such as Ronaldinho and Ruud van Nistelrooy. 

The Dome@Rawdhat was built by Reem Investments to create a vibrant sporting community at the gateway to Abu Dhabi.  The area has become a magnet for players of all ages, currently hosting more than 12,000 footballers and their families every month on its indoor and outdoor pitches.  It is also home to the hugely successful Manchester United Soccer Schools which launched in October 2010.

Registration for the clinic and tournament is now open at www.thedome.ae or by calling 02 449 8480 or 050 662 7701.

Dubai (UAE) - The elegance of Longines was discernible at the elite His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance cup that was held on Saturday 14th January 2012. In its fifth year, the prestigious Cup was organized and hosted by the Dubai Equestrian Club and presented by Longines, the official timekeeper for all equestrian events at Meydan Group, subsequent to their latest partnership. The winner of the cup, 17 year old Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri of the UAE, was awarded the beautiful Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph Gold timepiece, a true epitome of precision and might, much like the Endurance cup itself.

The Endurance Cup saw 121 riders hailing from 18 different countries, contend against each other in a fine test of resilience, fortitude and perseverance. Commencing at 7.00 am, the event that is one of the major highlights of the Dubai Racing season, was held for horses over the age of seven and featured five loops which were; 40 km, 36 km, 33 km, 32 km and 19 km, thus covering an overall distance of 160 km.

The Endurance cup was won by 17 year old Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri of the Nad Al Sheba Stables. The youngest winner in the history of the event took his mount ShardellAlaadeen to a 27 second victory over Bahrain’s Ahmed Abdulla Al Hazza. Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who last month successfully guided the UAE Endurance team to a thrilling Gold Medal Victory at the Pan Arab games in Qatar was among the participating riders, along with other prominent names such as Sheikh Saeed Bin MaktoumJuma Al Maktoum, Sheikh Rashid Bin Dalmook Al Maktoum and Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, graced the occasion from start to finish, mingling with the visitors and eventually bestowing the winners with their accolades. Guests and attendees of the Endurance Cup were able to witness the action firsthand as vehicles provided for this intent took them into the desert, placing them in the midst of an exhilarating race that saw riders pitted next to each other, with the winner triumphing by mere seconds.

Lending its fine touch of sophistication to an already tremendous event, the Swiss watchmaker further strengthened its dedication to equestrian sport by recently embarking on a partnership with Meydan Group. Honoring the willpower and resolve of the winnerof the regal cup, The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph Gold timepiece, an ideal blend of technological prowess and classical elegance, was the selected reward for Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. It is celebrating 180 years of non-stop craftsmanship in 2012 and its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with the equine sports.

Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

23 January, 2012 – Abu Dhabi, UAE:  The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship trophy engraver will no doubt be practicing his ‘graves’ this week, after Spain’s three leading golfers, Álvaró Quiros, Sergio Garcia and Miguel Ángel Jiménez, all declared their intent to this month land the PGA European Tour event’s iconic ‘Falcon’ trophy.

The in-form Spaniards, all of whom have played in Abu Dhabi before, join a stellar cast featuring world number one Luke Donald, reigning Major winners, Charl Schwartzel (US Masters), Rory McIlroy (US Open) and Darren Clarke (British Open), as well as former world number one, Lee Westwood, and Abu Dhabi debutant Tiger Woods.

Intriguingly, the collective Spanish armada carries scintillating form into the event. García ended a three year title drought late last year with back-to-back wins in home events at the Castelló Masters and the Andalucía Masters; Quiros won the season-ending Dubai World Championship to finish the year ranked sixth in the Order of Merit, while Jimenez is no stranger to Middle East success, having won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2010.

“I had an up-and-down year but finished strongly, which was very pleasing for me after having so many challenges along the way,” said Quiros, who was sidelined for five months last year with damaged tendons and ligaments in his left wrist. “I’ve had a chance to take a break over the Christmas and I’m feeling relaxed and refreshed for the season ahead. I feel confident and I’m working hard to continue my form into Abu Dhabi. It’s an incredible line-up, but the Spanish have strength in numbers and hopefully one or more of us will be in with a chance on the final day.”

Rested and recuperated, Quiros, one of the game’s longest hitters, will need all his power to fend off a resurgent Garcia, whose end-of-season wins elevated him back into the world’s top 20.

“To finish the season that way has given me a great deal of confidence and I feel like I’m getting back to my old self and playing the way I know I can,” said Garcia. “I would love nothing more than to start the season with a win in Abu Dhabi against a strong field in a very tough event.”

Garcia may be confident, but the vastly-experienced Jiménez has other ideas. The iconic, cigar-smoking, 48-year-old has 18 European Tour wins to his name and, having contested four Ryder Cups (1999, 2004, 2008, and 2010) already, is eager to get this latest Ryder Cup season off to a flyer in the UAE capital.

“It’s a big year ahead with the Ryder Cup and I love playing in the Middle East where I have enjoyed some success and feel like I can enjoy some more, hopefully in Abu Dhabi,” said Jiménez. “With the line-up they have confirmed, it’s going to be pretty special tournament. There’s a lot to play for this year and everyone is going to be looking to get their season off to the best possible start.”

Elsewhere, defending and triple Abu Dhabi winner, Martin Kaymer, is back chasing title number four, while Australian hot-shot, Jason Day, Korean number one, KJ Choi, and Italian prodigy, Matteo Manassero - a global golf ambassador for Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the Championship organiser - are also among the title favourites when the seventh Championship unfolds at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from January 26-29.

Tickets for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship are available via the event’s official website, www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com, as well as online at www.timeouttickets.com and www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made through the ITP toll-free hotline 800 4669, or for international visitors, +971 4 210 8943.

ABU DHABI, UAE (January 22, 2012) – PUMA’s Mar Mostro was the first boat unloaded from the container ship and kept the momentum as the crew was off to a strong start on Sunday, January 22, when the second stage of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 got underway. The starting gun sounded at 08:00 UTC/13:00 local in the safe haven port of Male in the Maldives, and the fleet began the more than 3,000 nautical mile race to the fourth port of Sanya, China.

“The entire PUMA team is really excited to get this race back to normal,” said skipper Ken Read. “Finally it appears we are done…for the most part…with pirates, ships and delays. And it comes not a moment too soon – we are ready. Let’s go to China!”

The fleet departed Male in 8-10 knots of breeze, and the PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG team was second behind CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand at the first position reports. PUMA is currently fourth in the overall standings with 36 points. The crew finished second in the first stage of Leg 3 on Saturday, Jan. 14 – the sprint from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah, 98 nm up the UAE coastline.

“Another strange start!” said Amory Ross, Media Crew Member, in his first report from onboard. “The line was between one flag on one shore and a radio tower on another; there were virtually no spectators, tons of ferries, fishing boats, and more obstacles to dodge leading up to the gun. But we’re now back to ‘ocean racing,’ something we haven’t been able to say in almost a month.”

As was the case with Leg 2, the Leg 3 route was redrawn and split into two stages due to the threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Stage 1 was the one-day sprint to Sharjah. There, the boats were loaded onto a container ship – the Happy Diamond – and transported back to the safe haven port of Male, where they first arrived at during Leg 2. The first stage of Leg 3 accounted for 20 percent over the available leg points, and 80 percent of the points will be awarded for Stage 2.

The Volvo Ocean Race started on November 5 in Alicante, and the six-team fleet is traveling 39,000 nautical miles through 10 ports, finishing in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012. The Race Village in Sanya opens on February 4.

Overall standings:

POS        TEAM        L3, S1        OVERALL
1        Team Telefónica        3        71
2        CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand        2        64
3        Groupama Sailing Team        4        51
4        PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG        5        36
5        Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing        6        31
6        Team Sanya *        -        11

* Suspended racing in Leg 2

PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG scoring:

POS        RACE/LEG        PTS        TOTAL
2        Alicante In-Port Race        5        5        
–         Leg 1*        –        5
3        Cape Town In-Port Race        4        9
3        Leg 2, Stage 1        16        25        
4        Leg 2, Stage 2 (3rd in Leg 2 overall)        3        28                
4        Abu Dhabi In-Port Race        3        31
2        Leg 3, Stage 1        5        36
 

Abu Dhabi, 22January 2012:H.E. Eissa Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (“ADCB”)today led by example and took part in the 2ndZayed Sports City 10km race presented by ADCB in partnership with Abu Dhabi Striders alongside fellow runners, ADCB customers and ADCB staff.The event sponsorship is in line with the bank’s vision to support and encourage people of the UAE to lead healthier, more active lives. 

The Zayed Sports City 10km series presented by ADCB is a set of three races which are designed specifically to help runners measure their progress throughout the UAE running season and set personal goals to work towards over the winter months.All races in the series are open to participants of all running levels.

ADCB is very proudly committed to supporting community enriching initiatives which encourage ambition and active participation. All ADCB customers and employees were encouraged to participatewith the reward of a complimentary healthy recovery breakfast after the race.

H.E. Eissa Al Suwaidi, commented after his finish: “This time of the year is often an opportunity to reflect on our financial health as we move into the coming year, however, we must also pay close attention to our own physical health and well being and set personal goals to work towards. While ADCB guides customers through what we call the wealth journey, we are also huge advocates of the health journey and our commitment to the wellness of the nation can be seen through sponsorship of events like this. These worthy initiatives enrich the broader community and naturally cultivate personal ambition. At ADCB we encourage all our employees as well as members of the community to endeavour in leading a healthier lifestyle during 2012.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend a special word of thanks to the event organizers: Abu Dhabi Striders, to Zayed Sports City and to all 330 participants who took on the challenge today and made the event such a success. “

The ADCB Stretch Zone helped ensure a less painful muscle recovery for all runners with free professional stretch sessions from the experts at Haddin’s gym post-race. Participants were also encouraged to bring along their old trainers to the race where there was a designated collection box. All the “old soles” collected will be distributed to “Good Soles” which is organized by www.adoptalabourer.com. All proceeds from the race series will go to Special Care Centre, Abu Dhabi. Look out for the next in the series on the 9th March 2012 at Zayed Sports City.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 January 2012 – Standard Chartered announced today the participation of visually impaired Henry Wanyoike, world record holder of the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympics, in the 10km road race with his long-time running partner Joseph Kibunja on Friday 27 January at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2012. The duo are also participating as Goodwill Ambassadors for for ‘Seeing is Believing’, Standard Chartered Bank’s global programme to raise USD 100 million to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.

Running while connected to Joseph by a tether on the wrist, Henry is completely dependent on Joseph to help him identify possible obstacles and challenges along the route without breaking stride.

Commenting on the participation of these inspiring runners, Jonathan Morris, CEO, Standard Chartered UAE, said:

“Henry and Joseph’s participation at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is a celebration of partnership, courage and trust. Their efforts embody the Bank’s values and are a great way of championing our goal to help eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them good luck at the race and hope their participation and school visits will inspire UAE community in general and young people in particular.”

Henry and Joseph will visit schools in Dubai and hold motivational sessions where Henry will share his story of overcoming adversities while Joseph highlights how partnership is key to achieving the impossible dream. They will also be giving students running tips for their participation at the Dubai Marathon.  

Henry Wanyoike said: “Armed with courage and determination, we have participated in many of the Standard Chartered Marathons globally since 2003 and we are really excited about the upcoming Dubai Marathon. We will continue our efforts to raise awareness about avoidable blindness and the ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme and are committed to share our story to inspire people around the world.”

Also running the 10 Km race at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2012 are three visually impaired Lebanese runners from the School of Blind and Deaf in Baabda- Lebanon. While each runner’s reason to run is unique, this team has a common goal: to prove that teamwork, coordination and commitment will overcome all obstacles. The Lebanese team also plans to raise funds for ‘Seeing is Believing’. 

Standard Chartered has been the title sponsor for the Dubai marathon since 2005. The Bank is the title sponsor of nine marathons across four continents. The marathons characterise the five values of the Bank; Courageous, Responsive, International, Creative, Trustworthy; and further positions Standard Chartered in the market as being Here for good.  

This year the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is expecting registrations to surpass 15,000 participants. In addition to the full Marathon, which is 42.195m long, there will be two additional categories - the 3km Fun Run and the 10km Road Race.