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Financial and community hurdles slow geothermal energy development in Southeast Asia

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Providing round-the-clock energy, using minimal space and considered a clean source of power — geothermal energy seems like an ideal option for countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, where the potential is high, and governments are seeking to transition away from highly polluting fossil fuels.

Yet most of the potential of geothermal energy, created by harnessing heat produced by the earth from underground reservoirs of hot water to power turbines that generate electricity, remains untapped in these countries and across the world — as financial, regulatory and community roadblocks have stalled growth.

More readily available financing and domestic regulatory changes are starting to address these barriers, but experts say more should be done to unlock the vast clean energy source trapped just beneath the Earth’s surface.

Countries with high geothermal potential — such as the United States, Indonesia and the Philippines — are usually located close to tectonically active regions where hot water or steam is naturally carried to the Earth’s surface through volcanic activity, or can be accessed by shallow drilling.

“We’re essentially standing on our own sun, which we can get clean, reliable energy from,” said Marit Brommer, CEO of the International Geothermal Association based in Germany.

Experts also laud geothermal plants for their ability to operate continuously to meet the minimum level of power demanded around-the-clock, unaffected by weather, with long lifespans and minimal maintenance.

As countries shift towards renewable and cleaner energy, geothermal use is expected to grow: In Southeast Asia, geothermal power generation is expected to increase tenfold from 2020 to 2050, reaching 276 million megawatt-hours, according to the International Energy Agency.

With their steaming volcanoes and bubbling lakes, Indonesia and the Philippines — two archipelagic Southeast Asian countries located on the seismically active “Ring of Fire” — are the second and third-largest users of geothermal energy in the world, with some of the highest geothermal energy potential. The U.S. is number one.

Yet Indonesia uses less a tenth of its gargantuan reserves, making up 6% of its power supply. In the Philippines, about 8% of geothermal capacity has been developed, constituting 14.6% of the country’s energy use, the country’s largest source of renewable energy.

Both countries plan to expand use of geothermal energy as they transition away from fossil fuels: Indonesia aims to increase the share of geothermal power generation by at least 8% by 2030, making it the second-largest renewable energy source after hydropower. The Philippine government is targeting several projects to boost geothermal capacity by adding nearly 1.5 gigawatts, nearly doubling its current use.

But the exploratory stage of geothermal development — when companies do tests and drilling to confirm the size, temperature, pressure, and potential production rates of sites — is expensive and risky. That makes it hard to attract finance for development, said Shigeru Yamamura, an energy specialist at the Asia Development Bank.

“That’s the most difficult part of developers, because (financially) they cannot take 100% of the exploration risk themselves,” Yamamura told The Associated Press.

Climate finance for geothermal development is limited for most Southeast Asian nations, accounting for only 9% of finance available for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — a political and economic bloc of ten states in the region, which includes Indonesia and the Philippines.

A 2024 ASEAN energy report said “blended finance” using both public and private sources, grants and green bonds could help bridge the gap.

The Philippine government has announced green energy auction schemes for geothermal energy and is preparing a “smart green grid plan” that prioritizes renewable energy — vital to enable private developers to get financing from banks. This signals progress in policy support for investment, Yamamura said.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has focused on geothermal as part of the country’s energy transition. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources says it’s working to shorten permitting times and considering ways to increase rates of return on investments in geothermal projects. The state electric utility, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, also said it’s committed to ramping up geothermal energy development.

The World Bank is providing a $150 million loan to scale up Indonesian investments in geothermal energy by reducing the risks of early-stage exploration. The Green Climate Fund and the Clean Technology Fund are providing a $127.5 million.

Even when finance is secured, community pushback can slow development.

In Indonesia, residents of villages have protested projects, citing safety and environmental concerns: Several geothermal sites in Indonesia have had deadly gas leaks in the past five years.

Some Indonesian communities don’t understand what geothermal energy is and how they could benefit from its development, said Timothy Ravis, a doctoral student in global development at Cornell University.

Protests at geothermal sites in the Philippines have led at least one company to pay royalties to Indigenous groups worried about land degradation caused by geothermal development.

Governments and businesses should work to gain the consent of communities near projects to help ensure they succeed, said Brommer.

“We need to show that this development benefits all people, not just a company,” she said. “It’s not about being a good neighbor, it’s about being the best neighbor and really working with communities to respect their concerns.”

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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December 2, 2024
As temperatures turn frigid, Minnesotans turn to saunas for warmth and community

EAGAN, Minn. — Ed Kranz set up his mobile sauna next to a frozen beach at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, Minnesota, on a bone-chilling Sunday morning during a weekend cold snap.

Ed and his wife Colleen own Saunable, “a wood-fired sauna experience on wheels.” After about 8 to 12 minutes of sweating in the Kranz’s 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius) sauna, a group moseyed outside into a 15-degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) Minnesota afternoon. They sat around a fire in bathing suits to gradually lower their body temperatures before repeating the process three or four more times. One brave soul submerged himself into a hole in the frozen lake for a post-sauna cold plunge.

The group was not alone. As temperatures drop into the teens, Minnesotans are embracing sauna culture for warmth and community. Devotees say the state’s sauna mania is about more than sweat and snow — it is the product of Old World traditions intersecting with newfangled internet-based communities, and a desire for social connection in a society that can feel isolating.

Sauna and cold plunges go together like peanut butter and jelly, said Glenn Auerbach, a self-described sauna evangelist and the founder and editor of SaunaTimes. Auerbach started the website in 2008 to share his thoughts, research and conversations with an ever-expanding cadre of movers and shakers in the sauna world. He and his interlocutors mull over topics like the nitty-gritty of sauna construction, how to cultivate “good sauna vibes” and the health benefits of the sauna lifestyle.

A typical temperature to achieve the holy trinity of the sauna experience — heat, steam and ventilation — is about 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (82-93 degrees Celsius), a temperature that starkly contrasts with Minnesota’s frigid winter weather.

“Within our saunas, the stove should always win,” he said.

While sauna truisms such as this provide some degree of uniformity, there is also leeway for personal preference.

The craftiest of the lot in the sauna community can build a facility for about $10,000, according to Auerbach. Those looking to skip the physical labor can also outsource the construction. Sauna’s popularity, which enthusiasts say spiked following the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought with it a rise in manufacturers selling saunas for about $30,000 to $40,000.

While sauna’s cultural cache may have increased in recent years, the practice long predates the Instagrammable spaces popping up in recent years, Auerbach said.

The smell of cedar wood has been lodged in Justin Juntunen’s memory ever since he first stepped into his family’s sauna as a child. Juntunen, the founder of Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna, is a descendant of Finnish immigrants who came to America in the 1880s. They and their compatriots brought with them an appreciation for saunas and the communal values these steam-filled rooms impart to local life.

People in Finland say there are more saunas than cars, Juntunen said. When immigrants like his grandfather came to Minnesota to work in the mines, mills or docks, they would often save up to build a farmhouse. But they would build a sauna first, living in the space while the main house was under construction. Later on, saunas would serve as informal town centers.

People gossiped in saunas, they gave birth in saunas and they died in saunas, Juntunen said. The public nature of the facilities reflects the egalitarian ethos that infuses Nordic culture, and sauna culture by extension, he added.

“This is a tradition that’s actually for everyone,” Juntunen said. “My favorite Nordic proverb is all people are created equal, but nowhere more so than in the sauna.”

In addition to a desire for in-person experiences following the isolation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, sauna enthusiasts say interest began to rise following an influential study in 2016 from Dr. Jari Laukkanen, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Eastern Finland.

Laukkanen found that sauna use could be associated with lowered risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the male population included in the study. On top of the academic literature, sauna adherents say they can feel the benefits to both body and mind.

“It just makes you feel good,” Ed Kranz said. “After a round of sauna, you sleep like a baby that night.”

The physical and mental health benefits have also been highlighted by some of the internet’s most famous figures, such as podcasters Joe Rogan and Andrew Huberman.

“Every big podcaster in the world discovered that you could jump in cold water and it feels kind of good. And then people click on it online,” Juntunen said.

In this way, technology has been a paradox for sauna culture, he added. Digital media helped sauna culture grow at the same time as saunas were billed as reprieves from the pervasive reach of technology over every facet of daily life.

Almost all of sauna culture’s adherents say its rise is inextricably linked to a desire for community.

Those who committed to building their own saunas have hosted friends, neighbors, and former teammates of their high school hockey team over. This has created a new form of post-Covid contagiousness: “Good heat is contagious,” Auerbach said.

This core function of sauna culture spans generations. Juntunen’s grandfather would rush to the sauna after work because it was the space where stories were told.

“It’s a space where storytelling happens, where connection happens or silence happens,” Juntunen said. “I think that is a really beautiful example of what a sauna truly is.”

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December 2, 2024
Block 34 promises to be ‘lifestyle feature,’ bolster community | News

About a year and a half after COVID-19 stalled progress on Block 34, Jim Beckstrom got a call.

On the line was Kicker CEO and Stillwater native Steve Irby.

“Steve called and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to donate some money to get Block 34 going.’ And I said, ‘Well, how much?’ And he said, ‘Well, $3 million.’ And I literally fell out of my chair,” Beckstrom said. “I almost welled up with tears in my eyes, like this is really finally gonna happen.”

Block 34, a community gathering space, will feature a stage, pavilion, beer garden, musician walk and natural playground, among other features. Located to the west of Main Street, Block 34 will be the newest of many additions to downtown. The project broke ground in February, and the green space is estimated to be open in fall 2025.

Beckstrom, the Stillwater Community Center Foundation chair, has worked on Block 34 since the beginning. In 2017, Beckstrom served as chair of the committee to determine what Block 34 would be. After years of discussions and setbacks during the pandemic, Beckstrom said he wasn’t sure if the project would make progress.

Block 34 went through many iterations of what it could be, Beckstrom said, including one plan for it to be a hotel.

Beckstrom said many of the proposed plans would have required the Stillwater Community Center, which lies across the street from Block 34, to be partially or completely torn down. The community did not respond well to those proposals, he said.

In the midst of the city reviewing the proposals, Beckstrom said hundreds of residents expressed desire for another community space.

“Have a stage on it, have a gathering place, having a place for the city to come together, because right now there really, until this is done, there really isn’t such a place to really get together en masse,” Beckstrom said.

Creating another “lifestyle feature” for Stillwater was a main reason for Kicker’s donation of about $7.3 million, Irby said.

Irby, on behalf of Kicker, has donated to the project on several occasions. After the initial $3 million donation, Irby then also contributed $800,000 for 10 years of programming and another $4.3 million for architectural design.

Simmons Bank, the project’s other major donor, has contributed $1.5 million, which has helped Block 34 meet its design requirements.

Market President Kevin Fowler, who served on the Block 34 task force, said donating to the project was a “perfect fit” because the community could gather for free.

“Stillwater has been really good to Simmons Bank, and we wanted to reward the community in a way, and we were looking for such a naming rights opportunity,” Fowler said.

Both companies will have their names on Block 34: the Kicker Sound Stage and the Simmons Pavillion.

Kicker, a wholesale producer, was a recipient of the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic because the company was able to keep its people employed, Irby said. Without the extra pandemic income from the government, donating a lump sum of money wouldn’t be a good business decision, he said.

“But we like the idea of the park and the community aspect and the music, and it all just made sense in a way to give back, because really, the money that we got is really from people,” Irby said.

Irby, who took inspiration from the city park in Boulder, Colorado, said he hopes Block 34 will have consistent events, such as a Saturday farmer’s market with music.

“There’s just a lot of potential there that we’ve tried to design in,” Irby said. “I think it will probably kind of evolve organically once we get it going. Just see what works and what people want to want to do.”

Irby said he thinks Block 34 will be a “catalyst for economic development around that area.”

“That end of town is, that’s the old part of Stillwater,” Irby said. “And so I think there’s some character to it.”

The area near Block 34 has grown in recent years, adding Stonecloud Brewing Co., Empire Slice House and Hatch, among others.

Matt Sullins, Stonecloud’s manager, said Block 34 could bring a new “cultural center” to Stillwater.

“I think, potentially, it could kind of be like a cornerstone for even more growth because there are some empty buildings around here that I think are prime for cool spots,” Sullins said.

The city hired Crossland Construction Co., Inc. for about $12.1 million to build a new storm drain on Duncan Street, an interactive playground, music play equipment, composite metal panels and an alternate pavement section for Block 34.

The city has contributed $5.5 million in public improvements, such as new streets, LED lights and a new storm sewer, Interim City Manager Brady Moore said. It acquired the land for $422,518.

Block 34 is one of 15 projects listed on the City of Stillwater’s website. Moore said Block 34 is “very ambitious” on the city’s part.

It is common for projects like Block 34 to receive donations from private entities, Moore said. It is similar to the Kaiser family donating to finance the Gathering Place in Tulsa.

“We have a lot of projects, but we have a growing, vibrant city, and so I’m proud of our staff and the amount of work that they’re undertaking in order to keep up with the growth of this city,” Moore said.

Improved public spaces, such as Block 34, could help bolster OSU’s community, environmental engineering professor Mary Foltz said.

“I feel like Stillwater has a sense of community that I haven’t seen in a lot of places, but they don’t necessarily have the infrastructure to support that,” Foltz said.

This project could indicate to potential faculty that the city is invested in its community, Foltz said. Block 34 will “be a hub” for the community, she said.

“It kind of goes with the feeling that you get down there, like it’s community building, it’s finding connection,” Foltz said. “It’s a good space to get together with people. It’s a good place for events.”

Among the other outcomes, Beckstrom said he hopes Block 34 will bring, he said Block 34 could help “foster the music scene” in Stillwater.

Beckstrom said he hopes the gathering space could be used for large music or theater festivals. The six to eight big stages in downtown Stillwater, which include those in the library and community center, could make the city an ideal location, in addition to it being a good fit with to the community, he said.

“It can handle thousands of people,” Beckstrom said. “The green space is bigger than Guthrie Green. It’s got the capacity to handle a really big crowd, and it’s super exciting.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

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November 22, 2024
Yee Tee Lifestyle Corridor: Water Play Park, 3 Playgrounds, Heritage & Community
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The Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor runs under the MRT tracks and literally provides a walking connector through the estate. It is also a connector that brings the community together with a new water park, playgrounds and heritage zones.

A new stretch of the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor, located just to the north of Yew Tee MRT station, has been launched with exciting new amenities that include playgrounds and a water park for kids and families along with heritage zones and community spaces for residents of all ages.

Overview of the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor

There are three new zones at the Yew Tee Lifestyle corridor. These stretch out from just north of Yew Tee MRT Station at Choa Chu Kang Street 62, underneath the MRT tracks all the way to the Pang Sua Park Connector.

The three new zones at the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor are:
- Heart of Yew Tee
- Spirit of Kampong
- Celebration of Harvest
Area 1: Heart of Yew Tee

The Heart of Yew Tee is located closest to Yew Tee MRT station.

Heritage Plaza

Pay a visit to the Heritage Plaza and learn more about Yew Tee’s past. For example, did you know that the name Yew Tee is related to oil facilities that were previous located in the vicinity? Signboards at the Heritage Plaza shed light on the neighbourhood’s history.

Yew Tee Water Playground: Waterplay Plaza

Just beside the Heritage Plaza is the water playground. This Yew Tee water play area will get kids very excited as it features spray tunnels and rocking buckets that send water splashing down.

There is also a water play channel where kids can sail their toy ships, similar to the one found at Play @ Heights Park.

Other play features at the Yew Tee water playground include a fountain that shoots up high into the air.

On the practical side of things, the Yew Tee water playground has an interesting solution to the need for changing areas. There are standalone structures each have a single changing rooms and shower on the outside. Three of these can be found at the Yew Tee water play area.

The Yew Tee water playground is open from 8 am to 9 pm. Just press a button to start the fun going! The kids are definitely going to enjoy running around and splashing out at the Yew Tee water playground.

Sampan Garden

The Sampan Garden has raised planters that are designed to resemble sampan boats. Residents can take a seat to enjoy the ambiance and greenery, especially when the planters grow out a bit more.

Oil Drum Playground

The fun for kids and families at the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor continues at the Oil Drum playground. The bright orange playground is inspired by Yew Tee’s past.

Kids can make their up way one of the barrel shaped structures where netted ropes providing climbing aids on the inside.

Next to the main structure, there is another play structure that has been designed to look like a stack of oil barrels. It is a fun that the playground plays homage to the estate’s past.

Area 2: Spirit of Kampong

Village Entrance

The next section of the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor is the Spirit of Kampong. This kampong spirit is celebrated with a set of sculptures located at the corner of Choa Chu Kang North 7 and Choa Chu Kang Drive.

Accompanying information boards at the Village Entrance area help to recall the history of Yew Tee Village.

Little Treehouse Playground

Kids are in for a treat as there is a children’s playground at the Spirit of Kampong. This one is a playground that consists of an elevated structure that looks as it has been made out of wood call the Little Treehouse playground.

Kids can climb up and have some fun at this Yew Tee playground.

Street Soccer Court

For those who want to get in some exercise and fun at the same time, there is a Street Soccer Court too. It is all part of cultivating the kampong spirit even in modern day Yew Tee.

Kampong Pavilion

Speaking of the kampong spirit, there is a large Kampong Pavilion that acts as space for large scale community events. This sheltered pavilion stretches all the way along Choa Chu Kang Drive to Choa Chu Kang Crescent.

Area 3: Celebration of Harvest

The third section of the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor stretches from Choa Chu Kang Crescent down to the Pang Sua Park Connector. Called Celebration of Harvest, this section has a more green and nature theme to it.

Sensory Garden

A small garden provides a tranquil spot for residents to slow down.

Orchard Playground

Kids and families have yet another playground to enjoy. This Yew Tee playground has an agrarian theme. The main play structure looks like a giant tomato. Kids can make their way inside and enjoy having fun exploring the playground structure.

There are also a set of swings at the Orchard Playground and an accessible merry-go-round, providing a spot to kick back and enjoy.

Fitness Corner and Rehab Exercise Corner

The focus is on fitness and well-being at the Fitness and Rehab Exercise Corner. There is equipment for those seeking to improve their physical well-being.

Yew Tee Amphitheatre

At the very end of the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor is the Amphitheatre. This space has been laid out thoughtfully to overlook the Pang Sua Canal with the Pang Sua Park Connector in front of it.

Enjoying the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor

Yew Tee often gets jibes for being one of most boring neighbourhoods in Singapore. However, with the opening of the various section of the Yew Tee Lifestyle Corridor, the water playground and the other playgrounds, we think that it is a rather quaint neighbourhood and these new features provide fun and exciting play opportunities for kids and families. It is now just in time for the year end school holidays and will be welcomed fun in the neighbourhood.

If you are looking for more fun things to do, check out our guide to things to do during the year-end school holidays 2024.
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November 10, 2024
International lifestyle community converge for GTCO fashion weekend in Lagos

The fashion industry is set for a captivating experience as the hugely anticipated GTCO Fashion Weekend kicks off tomorrow in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Fashion Weekend, powered and founded in 2016 by Guaranty Trust Holdings, will start from tomorrow and continue on Sunday, November 10 at the GTCenter in Lagos.

The fashion weekend, a veritable platform for showcasing Africa’s finest talents and fostering small businesses in the fashion industry, will bring together global fashion leaders and industry experts and present networking opportunities for hundreds of local fashion enterprises to expand their businesses, tap into new markets and position themselves for sustained growth.

Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO Holdings, said the 2024 edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend is more than an event but a deliberate and collective effort to uplift, empower, and celebrate the incredible talent Africa has to offer.

“As we celebrate this edition, let us reflect on the broader impact of African fashion on the world. It is a growing global phenomenon, embraced by international designers and celebrities. African designs are appearing in luxury boutiques in Paris, Milan and New York. Our fabrics, patterns and aesthetics are influencing fashion houses worldwide.

“We understand the importance of supporting this growth. Our commitment to African fashion goes beyond this weekend’s event, and we remain dedicated to promoting creativity, empowering entrepreneurs, and ensuring that the world continues to recognize the incredible potential of African fashion.

“So whether you’re attending a masterclass, shopping the latest collections, or watching the runway come alive, this weekend is about embracing the diversity, creativity, and brilliance that African fashion represents. I encourage you to fully enjoy and engage with all that this 7th edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend 2024 has to offer,” Agbaje said.

This year’s event will showcase curated collections from Africa’s finest brands and designers including Hue By Idera, Tolu Coker, Oríré, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Eric Raisina, Onalaja, Xu Zhi, Ituen Basi, Selly Raby Kane, Laquan Smith, Sukeina and Romeo Hunte.

Other guests would be thrilled and entertained with glamorous, creative designs, including casual, corporate, party wear and Afrocentric styles.

The 2024 GTCO Fashion Weekend will feature a series of online masterclasses led by four esteemed fashion industry experts like Lulu Kennedy, Patricia Bright, Sheika Daley and Ted Gibson.

These masterclasses, tailored for entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts, will provide valuable insights into building and sustaining fashion brands in the present and future.

Lulu Kennedy, a fashion editor, will be speaking on ‘Incubating Talent: Supporting The Next Generation’ while Patricia Bright, a fashion Influencer will be handling ‘Style, Influence + Everything In Between: Creating Your Online World’.

Celebrated make-up artist, Sheila Daley, will speak on ‘A Maestro In The World of Celebrity Makeup Artistry’ and will be ended by Ted Gibson, a celebrity hairdresser with a salon in New York with notable clients include Anne Hathaway, Renée Zellweger, Kate Gosselin, Zoe Saldana, and Ashley Greene. In 60 minutes, the hair expert will be taking participants on the trip with the topic ‘Iconic Hair: The Hollywood Story’.

Six designers will also present during the event. They include Ninie, Moye Africa, Lohije, Ibilola Ogundipe, Jewel Jamila and Elpis Megalio.

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

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November 9, 2024
International lifestyle community converge for GTCO fashion weekend in Lagos

The fashion industry is set for a captivating experience as the hugely anticipated GTCO Fashion Weekend kicks off tomorrow in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Fashion Weekend, powered and founded in 2016 by Guaranty Trust Holdings, will start from tomorrow and continue on Sunday, November 10 at the GTCenter in Lagos.

The fashion weekend, a veritable platform for showcasing Africa’s finest talents and fostering small businesses in the fashion industry, will bring together global fashion leaders and industry experts and present networking opportunities for hundreds of local fashion enterprises to expand their businesses, tap into new markets and position themselves for sustained growth.

Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO Holdings, said the 2024 edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend is more than an event but a deliberate and collective effort to uplift, empower, and celebrate the incredible talent Africa has to offer.

“As we celebrate this edition, let us reflect on the broader impact of African fashion on the world. It is a growing global phenomenon, embraced by international designers and celebrities. African designs are appearing in luxury boutiques in Paris, Milan and New York. Our fabrics, patterns and aesthetics are influencing fashion houses worldwide.

“We understand the importance of supporting this growth. Our commitment to African fashion goes beyond this weekend’s event, and we remain dedicated to promoting creativity, empowering entrepreneurs, and ensuring that the world continues to recognize the incredible potential of African fashion.

“So whether you’re attending a masterclass, shopping the latest collections, or watching the runway come alive, this weekend is about embracing the diversity, creativity, and brilliance that African fashion represents. I encourage you to fully enjoy and engage with all that this 7th edition of the GTCO Fashion Weekend 2024 has to offer,” Agbaje said.

This year’s event will showcase curated collections from Africa’s finest brands and designers including Hue By Idera, Tolu Coker, Oríré, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Eric Raisina, Onalaja, Xu Zhi, Ituen Basi, Selly Raby Kane, Laquan Smith, Sukeina and Romeo Hunte.

Other guests would be thrilled and entertained with glamorous, creative designs, including casual, corporate, party wear and Afrocentric styles.

The 2024 GTCO Fashion Weekend will feature a series of online masterclasses led by four esteemed fashion industry experts like Lulu Kennedy, Patricia Bright, Sheika Daley and Ted Gibson.

These masterclasses, tailored for entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts, will provide valuable insights into building and sustaining fashion brands in the present and future.

Lulu Kennedy, a fashion editor, will be speaking on ‘Incubating Talent: Supporting The Next Generation’ while Patricia Bright, a fashion Influencer will be handling ‘Style, Influence + Everything In Between: Creating Your Online World’.

Celebrated make-up artist, Sheila Daley, will speak on ‘A Maestro In The World of Celebrity Makeup Artistry’ and will be ended by Ted Gibson, a celebrity hairdresser with a salon in New York with notable clients include Anne Hathaway, Renée Zellweger, Kate Gosselin, Zoe Saldana, and Ashley Greene. In 60 minutes, the hair expert will be taking participants on the trip with the topic ‘Iconic Hair: The Hollywood Story’.

Six designers will also present during the event. They include Ninie, Moye Africa, Lohije, Ibilola Ogundipe, Jewel Jamila and Elpis Megalio.

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now

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November 9, 2024
Adina supports next generation of Australian sporting stars with community hockey series

Hockey’s next generation of superstars flocked to the Melbourne Sports Centre over the weekend to meet their heroes and learn the skills and drills as part of the popular Adina Community Hockey Series.

Adina’s Community Hockey Clinics were first launched at the Brunswick Hockey Club last year as a way to connect kids with their favourite hockey heroes. Clinics have since been staged in Western Australia as part of the Perth International Festival of Hockey; and in Melbourne, with the next slated for Sydney in February 2025.

“Adina’s partnership with Hockey Australia really resonates with our core values of community, family and a shared sense of belonging,” TFE Hotels’ CEO Antony Ritch said.

Adina Supports Next Generation of Aussie Hockey Players with Community Clinics

Hockey Australia Chief Executive Officer David Pryles says the initiative is vital for the longevity of hockey in Australia.

“Hockey Australia was delighted to run another of these highly successful Adina Community Clinics in Melbourne and on the very pitch that hosts our top players in the Hockey One League,” he said.

“I want to thank Adina Hotels because it’s with their support that we’re able to send our hockey heroes into communities across Australia.”

More than 100 hockey kids joined top players from Hockey Club Melbourne (HC Melbourne) including Peter Scott, hockey veteran, Andrew Scanlon; young gun Kade Leigh (Junior National Representative for the Kookaburras) and Ash Utri (Footy pro turned budding Hockeyroos hopeful).

The kids, as expected, had some fun in the great outdoors with their sporting heroes!

In April this year, TFE Hotels announced a two-year extension of Adina Hotels’ sponsorship with Hockey Australia. In addition to the clinics, the agreement will ensure Adina Hotels maintains a strong presence with the sport’s flagship teams – The Hockeyroos and The Kookaburras.

Adina is also the official partner of Hockey Australia’s suite of National Hockey Championships including U14, U16, U18, U21, the Indoor Championships, Country Championships and Masters Championships.

David Pryles says Hockey Australia is committed to working with Adina for the betterment of the sport.

“We will continue to work closely with the Adina team to ensure Community Clinics are delivered regularly across Australia and on an ongoing basis.”

Visit Adina Community Clinics for more information or to suggest the next clinic location.

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October 28, 2024
Dubai Fitness Challenge unveils vibrant 30-day calendar designed to inspire the community to pursue an active lifestyle – Sports – Other

The eighth edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) will kick off on 26 October 2024 with a stunning array of fitness activities and experiences around the city designed to widen public participation and motivate more people to switch to an active lifestyle. Launched in 2017 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the hugely popular initiative showcases Dubai’s sustained efforts to be recognised as the world’s most active city.

The DFC seeks to inspire the community as one to aim for incremental fitness goals and a healthier lifestyle by committing to 30 minutes of daily physical activity over a period of 30 days. Starting Saturday, 26 October 2024, Dubai will transform into one sprawling gym hosting 30 action-packed days of fitness, fun and community activities and events to enable everyone to realise the 30×30 goals.

Running until Sunday, 24 November, DFC 2024 promises an unparalleled experience for everyone, regardless of age or ability. This year’s programme features an expanded range of workout options at fitness villages and community hubs across the city, in-person classes combining classic fitness trends as well as the latest fads, and mega events at iconic Dubai locations to inspire and get people moving. As always, the Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai, is among the major highlights this year too. Registrations are now open for this monumental event that turns Sheikh Zayed Road into a massive running track. Dubai Run participants can opt for a 10-km challenge or a more relaxed 5-km route catering to all fitness levels. The event marks the grand finale of the DFC.

His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), said: “Dubai Fitness Challenge embodies our city’s deep-rooted commitment to fostering a healthier, more vibrant community. It goes beyond the daily 30 minutes of exercise – it’s about inspiring a lifelong pursuit of well-being. Each year, we turn Dubai into a vast fitness arena, where residents and visitors alike unite with energy and determination to reach new heights in their personal fitness journeys. This initiative encourages everyone – from individuals to families and entire communities – to break boundaries, discover new passions, and redefine what it means to live an active life. Our mission is to ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability, has access to opportunities that promote health, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. We look forward to seeing this year’s challenge set new milestones, bringing us closer to our goal of a healthier and more active Dubai.”

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said: “Since its inception in 2017, Dubai Fitness Challenge has impacted millions by encouraging a healthier, more active lifestyle. Each edition, we see the incredible energy of Dubai come alive, with people from all walks of life uniting around a common goal: to make fitness and wellness an everyday priority. This year promises to be the most community-focused yet, with an even broader array of fitness experiences and events designed to bring families, friends, and colleagues together in a collective movement towards improved health and wellness. We can’t wait to see the city come together once again to move, sweat, and inspire.”

Register now at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com and sign up for a month filled with fun, camaraderie, and shared experiences. Walking, jogging, cycling, yoga, or the gym, there are options aplenty for everyone, including those who are just starting out on their fitness journey. Thirty days of free and accessible fitness opportunities apart, those registering early stand a chance to win Emirates air tickets to bring two guests to Dubai for an unforgettable experience including hotel accommodation and participation in the iconic Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai.

Here is a look at everything on offer throughout this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Three Fitness villages

With an extensive lineup of experiences including sports, classes, events, and more, three 30 x 30 fitness villages at Kite Beach, Al Warqa’a Park, and Zabeel Park will be accessible to the public for free. These vibrant epicentres of sporting activity create a lively atmosphere that encourages greater participation and fosters a sense of community.

Join the challenge at the DP World Kite Beach 30 x 30 Fitness Village, where fitness meets fun in one of Dubai’s most vibrant destinations. Here, you’ll find activities tailored to all fitness levels and ages, including an impressive sports lineup, fitness zones, and dedicated children’s classes. Watch fitness inspiration come to life at the e& Main Stage while enjoying a wide variety of activities. From gymnastics, boxing, and MMA to exciting new additions, including beach volleyball and water sports, there’s no shortage of ways for you to get active.

Additionally, with family-friendly zones, a wellness area, and the aqua park, Kite Beach provides the perfect backdrop for both fitness and fun. Open weekdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm for schools and 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm for the public, and from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm on weekends, this fitness village is more than just a workout venue – it’s your chance to connect, stay active, and achieve your own personal 30 x 30 goals.

Conveniently located in Zabeel Park, the all-new Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village is your ultimate destination for an immersive experience that combines running and cycling.

This space boasts a variety of fitness zones, including a new Cricket Zone, Running Club, Spinning Zone, 3 on 3 Basketball Court and a Kids’ Fitness Zone. With plenty of opportunities for fitness, fun, and photo-worthy moments along the way, you can also join in on dance sessions and fitness classes held on the main stage. So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just starting your fitness journey, the Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village invites you to come together in a celebration of health and community. Serving as the central hub from where participants can collect their bibs for the Dubai Ride and Dubai Run events, this fitness village is open Monday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with bib collection available throughout, while on Fridays, it opens from midday to midnight, with bib collection starting at 4:00 pm. Saturdays will be just as action-packed, welcoming people from 8:00 am to midnight, while on Sundays it will be open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, with bib collection available throughout the day.

Set in the picturesque Al Warqa’a Park, the brand-new RTA Al Warqa’a Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village offers a fun and energising fitness experience for all ages and fitness levels. At the heart of the village is the Cycling Hub, featuring 75 bikes with on-site mechanics to ensure you have a smooth ride, while the new Running Club, along with dedicated zones for kids, ladies, and football lovers, adds variety and ensures that you can find your perfect activity. From supervised playgrounds for children to action-packed multi-sport zones with activities ranging from cycling and football to tennis and basketball, there’s no shortage of ways for you to stay active and have fun. Open Sunday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and Friday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm, it’s the perfect place for you to get active, stay fit, and create lasting memories!

Dubai Stand-Up Paddle, presented by RTA: A thrilling aquatic adventure at Hatta Dam

Paddle into a world of adventure at DFC’s second Dubai Stand-Up Paddle, presented by RTA on Saturday, 2 November. Perfect for paddlers of all levels, this exciting event offers 45-minute sessions for adults and 30-minute sessions for families amidst the stunning scenery of the Hatta mountains. Additionally, if you’re looking to dive deeper into the beauty of Hatta’s crystal-clear waters and add another layer to your aquatic adventure, take advantage of the free one-hour kayaking sessions – new for this year and available on a first-come, first-served basis to all registered participants. A mass participation challenge will bring the stand up paddle community together, giving you the opportunity to team up with fellow paddlers for a spirited display of fitness, teamwork, and camaraderie. Register now at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com and check out what’s happening in Hatta on the said weekend.

Dubai Ride presented by DP World: An unforgettable tour of Dubai’s iconic landmarks

Gear up for the fifth edition of Dubai Ride, presented by DP World on Sunday, 10 November, offering you the chance to experience Dubai like never before, no matter your age or cycling ability. This year’s event features routes for everyone; choose between the family-friendly 4-km route through Downtown Dubai or the challenging 12-km ride along Sheikh Zayed Road, with five different starting gates located at the Museum of the Future, Al Satwa, the Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay, and the Lower Financial Centre. Each path offers you a unique perspective of the city’s architectural marvels, from the soaring Burj Khalifa to the striking Museum of the Future and iconic Dubai Opera.

For an additional thrill, experienced riders over 21 years old can also try the brand-new Dubai Ride Speed Laps from 5:00 am to 6:00 am on the 12-km route, offering a unique chance to experience the excitement of high-speed cycling on Sheikh Zayed Road. To join, all you need is to maintain an average speed of 30km/h, ride a bike capable of sustaining this pace, have peloton riding experience, and follow the instructions of the Dubai Ride Marshals.

Register now at www.dubairide.com and get ready for an unforgettable ride through the iconic streets of Dubai.

Dubai Run presented by Mai Dubai: The world’s largest free fun run

Registrations are now open for the thrilling sixth edition of Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai, which will be staged along the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday, 24 November – the final weekend of DFC 2024. Runners and joggers from all walks of life, abilities, and fitness levels are invited to challenge themselves to go the distance – choose between two distinct routes, both starting on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Museum of the Future and featuring DJ zones and live musicians, creating a lively atmosphere that transforms the race into a full-scale celebration of fitness. Push your limits along the 10-km track past Dubai’s most famous landmarks, concluding at the DIFC Gate Building near Emirates Towers. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed 5-km jog or run with friends and family while taking in the sights of Downtown Dubai. This leisurely morning route concludes near Dubai Mall’s Souk Al Bahar on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. Whether you aim to break a personal record or simply soak in the festive atmosphere, Dubai Run promises an unforgettable weekend.

Participants can also pick up their bib from the Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village. Register now at https://www.dubairun.com to bring your DFC journey to life.

25 community hubs: A healthier Dubai, one neighbourhood at a time

Prepare to explore exciting sporting opportunities right in your neighbourhood with 25 community hubs located throughout the city. These hubs are designed to offer daily free activities and workout sessions right at your doorstep, making it easy for the whole family to embrace a healthier and more active lifestyle. No matter where you are in the city, there’s a community fitness hub close by, ready to motivate you on your fitness journey:

● Athletic Caravan Initiative Fitness Hub

● Aqua Fishing Academy Fitness Hub

● Bluewaters Fitness Hub

● City Walk Fitness Hub

● Danube Sport World Fitness Hub

● Dubai Design District Fitness Hub

● Dubai Digital Park Fitness Hub

● Dubai Media City Fitness Hub

● Expo City Dubai Fitness Hub

● Gate Avenue Fitness Hub

● Global Village Fitness Hub

● Golf is Good Fitness Hub

● Hatta Wadi Hub Fitness Hub

● JLT Fitness Hub

● P&O Marinas Fitness Hub

● Ripe Market Fitness Hub

● Sustainable City Fitness Hub

● The Beach, JBR Fitness Hub

● Tilal Al Ghaf Fitness Hub

● Town Square Fitness Hubs

● Wasl Green Park Fitness Hub

● Wasl One Fitness Hub

● Wasl Port Views Fitness Hub

● Wasl Village Fitness Hub

● Zabeel Ladies Club Fitness Hub

Must-have health apps to boost the DFC experience

To support the month-long celebration of fitness and wellness, a variety of health and fitness apps will offer special packages and activities to keep participants motivated and on track to achieve their 30×30 goals. From personal training to corporate challenges, find the perfect wellness app for your DFC journey, including Whoop, Technogym App, Alo Moves, ASICS Runkeeper, BetterMe, CoreDirection, Fitze, Garmin Fitness Festival, Happier, HUAWEI Health App, LVL Wellbeing, Reebok Fitness, STEPPI, The Body Coach App by Joe Wicks,VIWELL, Wellbees and Your Fitness Coach.

Global brands amplifying DFC

An array of global brands will also be supporting DFC and hosting specific activations, including: adidas, Anta, Asics, Gymshark, lululemon, new balance, Nike, Puma, Real Madrid and Skechers.

Action packed month of events and activities across the city

If three 30-day fitness villages, 25 community hubs and multiple mega mass participation events weren’t enough, there will also be an action-packed calendar of events taking place throughout the month. This includes Dubai Active at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City from 25 to 27 October, showcasing the latest trends and competitions. Here, you’ll also have the chance to work out with celebrity trainers Kayla Itsines and Leana Deeb. The Plus500 City Half Marathon will also be held on 27 October, starting at the Gate Building at Dubai International Financial Centre and offering scenic routes through Downtown Dubai.

For those looking to make a difference, the Cancer Awareness Cycle, Walk or Both event on 26 October at DXBike in Meydan Street will allow participants to raise awareness for cancer while making the most of health screenings, entertainment, and family-friendly activities at the Wellness Village.

For those keen on new sporting challenges, the Dubai Padel Cup will take place at venues across the city throughout DFC from 26 October. This adrenaline-fuelled spectacle will see eight community-driven tournaments aimed at engaging players of all skill levels in the spirit of sports and healthy competition. You can witness exhibition matches – and most importantly, join in the tournaments where padel players from all over UAE will compete, connect and socialise. The meet will follow a knockout format where winners will move on to the next round until the finals.

The Women’s Run 2024 on 3 November in Al Forsan Park, Expo City Dubai, will celebrate female empowerment with a vibrant, ladies-only race that brings participants from around the globe together. Additionally, don’t miss the Dubai Premier Padel P1, taking place from 3 to 10 November at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. This prestigious event will feature 320 elite players competing for a staggering AED1.8 million prize pool, ensuring a week full of thrilling matches and off-court entertainment.

For baseball fans, the Arab Classic will run from 7 to 10 November, bringing together nine nations in a thrilling competition at Dubai’s premier venues, while Aura Tri-In-The-Sky on 9 November will offer a unique challenge at the world’s highest infinity pool. Golf lovers should save the date for the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates from 14 to 17 November, where the top 50 golfers will compete for the season’s title, or if it is high-intensity workouts you’re looking for, the Turf Games Dubai City Series will take place on 15 to 16 November.

On the same weekend you can also catch the Dubai T100 Triathlon, taking place from 15 to 17 November. This ultimate athletic challenge features a 2-km swim, an 80-km desert bike ride, and an 18-km run through the city. Additionally, a shorter T100 Sprint on 15 November offers residents the chance to take part, with participants enjoying a 0.75-km swim, a 20-km bike ride, and a 5-km run along Dubai’s closed roads. Participants can also join the lively Music Run on 16 November as part of the T100 Triathlon weekend.

Sports enthusiasts can catch the Dubai Basketball Club take on KRKA, one of the prominent basketball clubs in Slovenia, at the Coca-Cola Arena on 17 November, marking a significant moment for Dubai’s international sports franchise debut.

On 23 to 24 November, the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix will dazzle spectators as the world’s top athletes race high-tech F50 catamarans against the stunning backdrop of Dubai’s skyline.

In support of local initiatives, participate in the Sparkle Race on 15 November, benefiting projects in Malawi, or join the Emirates NBD Unity Run on 17 November, promoting inclusivity with a fun walk and timed runs for all abilities. Perfect for all abilities and ages, get in gear for the Community Run at Ripe Market – a series of races that will be held every few weeks from 17 November. After the competition, you can explore the stalls of various homegrown brands, or settle down for a cup of coffee and breakfast at the weekend bazaar.

Shaping the future: The business of sports

From groundbreaking biohacking techniques to the future of fitness, sports medicine advancements, and sustainability initiatives, this edition of DFC sees an unprecedented number of local, regional, and international organisations choosing to host their sports and fitness-related events during the challenge. Bringing together global leaders to address the most pressing issues and opportunities in the world of sports, these include the FIMS World Congress of Sports Medicine from 24-27 October at Dubai World Trade Centre, the Middle East Fitness Business CEO Forum on 25 October at Expo City, the Dubai Sustainability in Sport Conference on 6 November at Sustainable City, the Forbes Middle East Medical Tourism and Wellness Summit on 23 to 24 November at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the Sport Impact Summit on 4 to 5 December at Atlantis The Palm.

Thousands of free classes, events and retail offers citywide

Throughout DFC, you will also have access to thousands of diverse fitness classes, events, and activities, as well as offers across retail outlets, fitness and wellness centres, gyms, hotels and leisure attractions across the 30 days to enhance your fitness journey.

The entities helping DFC strengthen the spirit of the community this year include organisers Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Sports Council; Presenting Partners DP World, Dubai Municipality, Mai Dubai, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Association Partners Sun and Sand Sports, The Brain and Performance Centre – A DP World Company, Citi Mastercard, Decathlon, Dubizzle, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, e&, La Roche Posay, MIRA Developments, talabat, Wasl, Whoop, Shamal – Kite Beach, Emaar and Hatta Kayak; Official Partners Dubai Chambers, Emarat and Supercare Pharmacy; Media Partner Arabian Radio Network (ARN); and Government Partners Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai Police, Ministry of Education, Event Security Committee and Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

For more information and to join the challenge, visit www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com. Also, don’t forget to #ShareYour30 on social media to motivate and inspire others to get involved.

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October 21, 2024
Dubai Fitness Challenge unveils vibrant 30-day calendar designed to inspire the community to pursue an active lifestyle – Sports – Other

The eighth edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) will kick off on 26 October 2024 with a stunning array of fitness activities and experiences around the city designed to widen public participation and motivate more people to switch to an active lifestyle. Launched in 2017 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the hugely popular initiative showcases Dubai’s sustained efforts to be recognised as the world’s most active city.

The DFC seeks to inspire the community as one to aim for incremental fitness goals and a healthier lifestyle by committing to 30 minutes of daily physical activity over a period of 30 days. Starting Saturday, 26 October 2024, Dubai will transform into one sprawling gym hosting 30 action-packed days of fitness, fun and community activities and events to enable everyone to realise the 30×30 goals.

Running until Sunday, 24 November, DFC 2024 promises an unparalleled experience for everyone, regardless of age or ability. This year’s programme features an expanded range of workout options at fitness villages and community hubs across the city, in-person classes combining classic fitness trends as well as the latest fads, and mega events at iconic Dubai locations to inspire and get people moving. As always, the Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai, is among the major highlights this year too. Registrations are now open for this monumental event that turns Sheikh Zayed Road into a massive running track. Dubai Run participants can opt for a 10-km challenge or a more relaxed 5-km route catering to all fitness levels. The event marks the grand finale of the DFC.

His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), said: “Dubai Fitness Challenge embodies our city’s deep-rooted commitment to fostering a healthier, more vibrant community. It goes beyond the daily 30 minutes of exercise – it’s about inspiring a lifelong pursuit of well-being. Each year, we turn Dubai into a vast fitness arena, where residents and visitors alike unite with energy and determination to reach new heights in their personal fitness journeys. This initiative encourages everyone – from individuals to families and entire communities – to break boundaries, discover new passions, and redefine what it means to live an active life. Our mission is to ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability, has access to opportunities that promote health, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. We look forward to seeing this year’s challenge set new milestones, bringing us closer to our goal of a healthier and more active Dubai.”

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said: “Since its inception in 2017, Dubai Fitness Challenge has impacted millions by encouraging a healthier, more active lifestyle. Each edition, we see the incredible energy of Dubai come alive, with people from all walks of life uniting around a common goal: to make fitness and wellness an everyday priority. This year promises to be the most community-focused yet, with an even broader array of fitness experiences and events designed to bring families, friends, and colleagues together in a collective movement towards improved health and wellness. We can’t wait to see the city come together once again to move, sweat, and inspire.”

Register now at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com and sign up for a month filled with fun, camaraderie, and shared experiences. Walking, jogging, cycling, yoga, or the gym, there are options aplenty for everyone, including those who are just starting out on their fitness journey. Thirty days of free and accessible fitness opportunities apart, those registering early stand a chance to win Emirates air tickets to bring two guests to Dubai for an unforgettable experience including hotel accommodation and participation in the iconic Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai.

Here is a look at everything on offer throughout this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Three Fitness villages

With an extensive lineup of experiences including sports, classes, events, and more, three 30 x 30 fitness villages at Kite Beach, Al Warqa’a Park, and Zabeel Park will be accessible to the public for free. These vibrant epicentres of sporting activity create a lively atmosphere that encourages greater participation and fosters a sense of community.

Join the challenge at the DP World Kite Beach 30 x 30 Fitness Village, where fitness meets fun in one of Dubai’s most vibrant destinations. Here, you’ll find activities tailored to all fitness levels and ages, including an impressive sports lineup, fitness zones, and dedicated children’s classes. Watch fitness inspiration come to life at the e& Main Stage while enjoying a wide variety of activities. From gymnastics, boxing, and MMA to exciting new additions, including beach volleyball and water sports, there’s no shortage of ways for you to get active.

Additionally, with family-friendly zones, a wellness area, and the aqua park, Kite Beach provides the perfect backdrop for both fitness and fun. Open weekdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm for schools and 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm for the public, and from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm on weekends, this fitness village is more than just a workout venue – it’s your chance to connect, stay active, and achieve your own personal 30 x 30 goals.

Conveniently located in Zabeel Park, the all-new Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village is your ultimate destination for an immersive experience that combines running and cycling.

This space boasts a variety of fitness zones, including a new Cricket Zone, Running Club, Spinning Zone, 3 on 3 Basketball Court and a Kids’ Fitness Zone. With plenty of opportunities for fitness, fun, and photo-worthy moments along the way, you can also join in on dance sessions and fitness classes held on the main stage. So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just starting your fitness journey, the Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village invites you to come together in a celebration of health and community. Serving as the central hub from where participants can collect their bibs for the Dubai Ride and Dubai Run events, this fitness village is open Monday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with bib collection available throughout, while on Fridays, it opens from midday to midnight, with bib collection starting at 4:00 pm. Saturdays will be just as action-packed, welcoming people from 8:00 am to midnight, while on Sundays it will be open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, with bib collection available throughout the day.

Set in the picturesque Al Warqa’a Park, the brand-new RTA Al Warqa’a Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village offers a fun and energising fitness experience for all ages and fitness levels. At the heart of the village is the Cycling Hub, featuring 75 bikes with on-site mechanics to ensure you have a smooth ride, while the new Running Club, along with dedicated zones for kids, ladies, and football lovers, adds variety and ensures that you can find your perfect activity. From supervised playgrounds for children to action-packed multi-sport zones with activities ranging from cycling and football to tennis and basketball, there’s no shortage of ways for you to stay active and have fun. Open Sunday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and Friday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm, it’s the perfect place for you to get active, stay fit, and create lasting memories!

Dubai Stand-Up Paddle, presented by RTA: A thrilling aquatic adventure at Hatta Dam

Paddle into a world of adventure at DFC’s second Dubai Stand-Up Paddle, presented by RTA on Saturday, 2 November. Perfect for paddlers of all levels, this exciting event offers 45-minute sessions for adults and 30-minute sessions for families amidst the stunning scenery of the Hatta mountains. Additionally, if you’re looking to dive deeper into the beauty of Hatta’s crystal-clear waters and add another layer to your aquatic adventure, take advantage of the free one-hour kayaking sessions – new for this year and available on a first-come, first-served basis to all registered participants. A mass participation challenge will bring the stand up paddle community together, giving you the opportunity to team up with fellow paddlers for a spirited display of fitness, teamwork, and camaraderie. Register now at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com and check out what’s happening in Hatta on the said weekend.

Dubai Ride presented by DP World: An unforgettable tour of Dubai’s iconic landmarks

Gear up for the fifth edition of Dubai Ride, presented by DP World on Sunday, 10 November, offering you the chance to experience Dubai like never before, no matter your age or cycling ability. This year’s event features routes for everyone; choose between the family-friendly 4-km route through Downtown Dubai or the challenging 12-km ride along Sheikh Zayed Road, with five different starting gates located at the Museum of the Future, Al Satwa, the Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay, and the Lower Financial Centre. Each path offers you a unique perspective of the city’s architectural marvels, from the soaring Burj Khalifa to the striking Museum of the Future and iconic Dubai Opera.

For an additional thrill, experienced riders over 21 years old can also try the brand-new Dubai Ride Speed Laps from 5:00 am to 6:00 am on the 12-km route, offering a unique chance to experience the excitement of high-speed cycling on Sheikh Zayed Road. To join, all you need is to maintain an average speed of 30km/h, ride a bike capable of sustaining this pace, have peloton riding experience, and follow the instructions of the Dubai Ride Marshals.

Register now at www.dubairide.com and get ready for an unforgettable ride through the iconic streets of Dubai.

Dubai Run presented by Mai Dubai: The world’s largest free fun run

Registrations are now open for the thrilling sixth edition of Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai, which will be staged along the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday, 24 November – the final weekend of DFC 2024. Runners and joggers from all walks of life, abilities, and fitness levels are invited to challenge themselves to go the distance – choose between two distinct routes, both starting on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Museum of the Future and featuring DJ zones and live musicians, creating a lively atmosphere that transforms the race into a full-scale celebration of fitness. Push your limits along the 10-km track past Dubai’s most famous landmarks, concluding at the DIFC Gate Building near Emirates Towers. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed 5-km jog or run with friends and family while taking in the sights of Downtown Dubai. This leisurely morning route concludes near Dubai Mall’s Souk Al Bahar on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. Whether you aim to break a personal record or simply soak in the festive atmosphere, Dubai Run promises an unforgettable weekend.

Participants can also pick up their bib from the Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30 x 30 Fitness Village. Register now at https://www.dubairun.com to bring your DFC journey to life.

25 community hubs: A healthier Dubai, one neighbourhood at a time

Prepare to explore exciting sporting opportunities right in your neighbourhood with 25 community hubs located throughout the city. These hubs are designed to offer daily free activities and workout sessions right at your doorstep, making it easy for the whole family to embrace a healthier and more active lifestyle. No matter where you are in the city, there’s a community fitness hub close by, ready to motivate you on your fitness journey:

● Athletic Caravan Initiative Fitness Hub

● Aqua Fishing Academy Fitness Hub

● Bluewaters Fitness Hub

● City Walk Fitness Hub

● Danube Sport World Fitness Hub

● Dubai Design District Fitness Hub

● Dubai Digital Park Fitness Hub

● Dubai Media City Fitness Hub

● Expo City Dubai Fitness Hub

● Gate Avenue Fitness Hub

● Global Village Fitness Hub

● Golf is Good Fitness Hub

● Hatta Wadi Hub Fitness Hub

● JLT Fitness Hub

● P&O Marinas Fitness Hub

● Ripe Market Fitness Hub

● Sustainable City Fitness Hub

● The Beach, JBR Fitness Hub

● Tilal Al Ghaf Fitness Hub

● Town Square Fitness Hubs

● Wasl Green Park Fitness Hub

● Wasl One Fitness Hub

● Wasl Port Views Fitness Hub

● Wasl Village Fitness Hub

● Zabeel Ladies Club Fitness Hub

Must-have health apps to boost the DFC experience

To support the month-long celebration of fitness and wellness, a variety of health and fitness apps will offer special packages and activities to keep participants motivated and on track to achieve their 30×30 goals. From personal training to corporate challenges, find the perfect wellness app for your DFC journey, including Whoop, Technogym App, Alo Moves, ASICS Runkeeper, BetterMe, CoreDirection, Fitze, Garmin Fitness Festival, Happier, HUAWEI Health App, LVL Wellbeing, Reebok Fitness, STEPPI, The Body Coach App by Joe Wicks,VIWELL, Wellbees and Your Fitness Coach.

Global brands amplifying DFC

An array of global brands will also be supporting DFC and hosting specific activations, including: adidas, Anta, Asics, Gymshark, lululemon, new balance, Nike, Puma, Real Madrid and Skechers.

Action packed month of events and activities across the city

If three 30-day fitness villages, 25 community hubs and multiple mega mass participation events weren’t enough, there will also be an action-packed calendar of events taking place throughout the month. This includes Dubai Active at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City from 25 to 27 October, showcasing the latest trends and competitions. Here, you’ll also have the chance to work out with celebrity trainers Kayla Itsines and Leana Deeb. The Plus500 City Half Marathon will also be held on 27 October, starting at the Gate Building at Dubai International Financial Centre and offering scenic routes through Downtown Dubai.

For those looking to make a difference, the Cancer Awareness Cycle, Walk or Both event on 26 October at DXBike in Meydan Street will allow participants to raise awareness for cancer while making the most of health screenings, entertainment, and family-friendly activities at the Wellness Village.

For those keen on new sporting challenges, the Dubai Padel Cup will take place at venues across the city throughout DFC from 26 October. This adrenaline-fuelled spectacle will see eight community-driven tournaments aimed at engaging players of all skill levels in the spirit of sports and healthy competition. You can witness exhibition matches – and most importantly, join in the tournaments where padel players from all over UAE will compete, connect and socialise. The meet will follow a knockout format where winners will move on to the next round until the finals.

The Women’s Run 2024 on 3 November in Al Forsan Park, Expo City Dubai, will celebrate female empowerment with a vibrant, ladies-only race that brings participants from around the globe together. Additionally, don’t miss the Dubai Premier Padel P1, taking place from 3 to 10 November at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. This prestigious event will feature 320 elite players competing for a staggering AED1.8 million prize pool, ensuring a week full of thrilling matches and off-court entertainment.

For baseball fans, the Arab Classic will run from 7 to 10 November, bringing together nine nations in a thrilling competition at Dubai’s premier venues, while Aura Tri-In-The-Sky on 9 November will offer a unique challenge at the world’s highest infinity pool. Golf lovers should save the date for the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates from 14 to 17 November, where the top 50 golfers will compete for the season’s title, or if it is high-intensity workouts you’re looking for, the Turf Games Dubai City Series will take place on 15 to 16 November.

On the same weekend you can also catch the Dubai T100 Triathlon, taking place from 15 to 17 November. This ultimate athletic challenge features a 2-km swim, an 80-km desert bike ride, and an 18-km run through the city. Additionally, a shorter T100 Sprint on 15 November offers residents the chance to take part, with participants enjoying a 0.75-km swim, a 20-km bike ride, and a 5-km run along Dubai’s closed roads. Participants can also join the lively Music Run on 16 November as part of the T100 Triathlon weekend.

Sports enthusiasts can catch the Dubai Basketball Club take on KRKA, one of the prominent basketball clubs in Slovenia, at the Coca-Cola Arena on 17 November, marking a significant moment for Dubai’s international sports franchise debut.

On 23 to 24 November, the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix will dazzle spectators as the world’s top athletes race high-tech F50 catamarans against the stunning backdrop of Dubai’s skyline.

In support of local initiatives, participate in the Sparkle Race on 15 November, benefiting projects in Malawi, or join the Emirates NBD Unity Run on 17 November, promoting inclusivity with a fun walk and timed runs for all abilities. Perfect for all abilities and ages, get in gear for the Community Run at Ripe Market – a series of races that will be held every few weeks from 17 November. After the competition, you can explore the stalls of various homegrown brands, or settle down for a cup of coffee and breakfast at the weekend bazaar.

Shaping the future: The business of sports

From groundbreaking biohacking techniques to the future of fitness, sports medicine advancements, and sustainability initiatives, this edition of DFC sees an unprecedented number of local, regional, and international organisations choosing to host their sports and fitness-related events during the challenge. Bringing together global leaders to address the most pressing issues and opportunities in the world of sports, these include the FIMS World Congress of Sports Medicine from 24-27 October at Dubai World Trade Centre, the Middle East Fitness Business CEO Forum on 25 October at Expo City, the Dubai Sustainability in Sport Conference on 6 November at Sustainable City, the Forbes Middle East Medical Tourism and Wellness Summit on 23 to 24 November at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the Sport Impact Summit on 4 to 5 December at Atlantis The Palm.

Thousands of free classes, events and retail offers citywide

Throughout DFC, you will also have access to thousands of diverse fitness classes, events, and activities, as well as offers across retail outlets, fitness and wellness centres, gyms, hotels and leisure attractions across the 30 days to enhance your fitness journey.

The entities helping DFC strengthen the spirit of the community this year include organisers Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Sports Council; Presenting Partners DP World, Dubai Municipality, Mai Dubai, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Association Partners Sun and Sand Sports, The Brain and Performance Centre – A DP World Company, Citi Mastercard, Decathlon, Dubizzle, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, e&, La Roche Posay, MIRA Developments, talabat, Wasl, Whoop, Shamal – Kite Beach, Emaar and Hatta Kayak; Official Partners Dubai Chambers, Emarat and Supercare Pharmacy; Media Partner Arabian Radio Network (ARN); and Government Partners Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai Police, Ministry of Education, Event Security Committee and Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

For more information and to join the challenge, visit www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com. Also, don’t forget to #ShareYour30 on social media to motivate and inspire others to get involved.

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October 21, 2024
Inverness Caley Thistle Community Development Trust youth and women’s football venture gets green light from Highland Council planners

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Trust’s proposed major football development site beside Inverness Royal Academy

Ambitious moves to create a purpose-built base for women’s, youth and community football in Inverness have been given the green light by planners.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust (ICTCDT) has been working to secure up to £2 million in grant funding to transform the old playing fields beside Inverness Royal Academy.

Success at the final planning stage could represent a silver lining for local football amid dark clouds this week hanging over administration-threatened Caley Thistle.

Using delegated powers, Highland Council planning officials approved the building of changing rooms, an office and classroom, parking and access at the recently disused grass pitches across the road from the school.

There would be seven parking spaces mainly for those with accessibility needs.

The long-term plan for the 10-acre playing field expanse, secured on a 25-year lease from Highland Council, is to create a number of training and full-size pitches, including a show pitch that would make Caley Thistle’s women’s team one of the first in the country to have a dedicated home venue of their own.

Some concerns had been raised over potential traffic safety issues at the site, which lies 70 metres south-west privately-owned Academy Houses, of Culduthel Road, Inverness.

One neighbour lodged an objection on the grounds of safety, security, noise and pollution, while Lochardil & Drummond Community Council qualified enthusiastic support for the project with “some concerns” over “not completely clear” traffic management plans.

A plan of where the building will take place at IRA pitches.

Aerial photo of IRA playing field site with building zone marked.

But planning officials have included conditions which state that approved traffic management plans both for the construction and operational phases of the development must be in place before work can start and events can be hosted.

These would “ensure the safety and free flow of traffic on the public road”, as well as pedestrian safety.

There would also be active travel improvements to allow safe and easy access from the wider catchment area.

The new clubhouse and changing facilities would be “sensitively positioned” on the northern edge of the playing fields to minimise the building footprint impact on the playing fields and take advantage of the existing access to the playing fields.

They were previously heavily-used for football and rugby by the school, and also held grass athletics markings, but had fallen into disuse since the school’s rebuilding with state of the art synthetic pitches.

The old changing rooms and stores that still exist at the site are unused and boarded up.

When we first broke news of the plan for the site in March 2022, it was widely hailed as “game-changing” for the sport in Inverness, with Caley Thistle officials, Scottish Women’s Football (SWF), ICTWFC manager Karen Mason and a number of local sporting personalities all welcoming the proposal.

Artist’s impression of how the Inverness Caledonian Thistle sports development near Inverness Royal Academy would look.

As with all of the Trust’s work, it will operate independently of Caley Thistle and is not threatened in any way by the League One club’s current financial plight.

Documentation supporting the application stated that the proposal was being promoted by ICTCDT with “a view to supporting grassroots football development for children of all genders and abilities, (with) the backing of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), including associated Government grants and sponsorship funding.”

An existing private single-track access road connects to Culduthel Road, about 30 metres north of access to the school bus stance on the opposite side of the road.

Artist’s impression of how the Inverness Caledonian Thistle sports development near Inverness Royal Academy would look.

A transport statement included in the application stated: “The proposals are intended to improve existing facilities for the wider community and provide a single venue for grassroots football festivals and events that currently take place across three different venues on Saturdays and weekday evenings.

“The location is such that it has an excellent walking and cycling catchment to encourage sustainable travel and, being located adjacent to IRA, already has excellent footway and controlled pedestrian crossing provision.

“The existing parking availability within acceptable walking distances to the playing fields is considered to be suitable to cater for the future parking demands.”

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust were approached for comment.

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October 14, 2024