Mall of the Emirates Launches Kids Walking Programme this DSS

After the hugely popular Mall of the Emirates mall walking programme that started in 2006, the first indoor mall walking programme specifically designed for kids is being launched for Dubai Summer Surprises from June 11 until August 14.

In partnership with Stride for Life, the mall walks will be a mix of fun and fitness and are open to children of six years and above. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when registering, and they receive free t-shirts once they become a member.

The supervised programme starts at 8:30am on weekdays, in the sanctity of the cool Mall of the Emirates with a walk leader to motivate, train and educate the children with useful tips and information on how to stay healthy.
In a bid to encourage the mini-marchers, Mall of the Emirates will also reward them with gift vouchers when they reach certain targets.

Fuad Sharaf, Vice President, Mall of the Emirates said, “The Mall of the Emirates is the perfect place for the walkers to meet and get their exercise. It’s cool, it’s clean and there’s a lot of ground to cover. Besides that, they can also have a look at what the retailers have to offer.

“We first thought of a kids’ walking club when some children turned up with their parents, and a committed group of 16 junior members developed,” he added.

“With statistics in the UAE showing that around 12 per cent of children are overweight and of those, 22 per cent are susceptible to obesity, the kids’ mall walking programme is an easy way for parents to ensure their children stay active and healthy during the long summer vacation, and you don’t have to spend a dirham.”

The Mall Walkers programme was launched in September 2006, with 50 registrations in the first few months. Now over 400 Dubai residents are enthusiastic members, having walked a cumulative distance of over 19,000 kilometres.
To register or know more about the mall walkers or kids’ mall walkers programme, e-mail Deborah@strideforlife.com or visit any of the customer service desks at Mall of the Emirates.

About Mall of the Emirates:
Mall of the Emirates, the world’s first shopping resort, is located in Dubai at interchange four on Sheikh Zayed Road. The two-level shopping centre features 466 international brands including 220,000 sqm of department stores, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing outlets, the largest Carrefour in the city and over 60 stores that are unique to the centre. The compelling family leisure offer includes a Magic Planet family entertainment area, a 14-screen multiplex cinema, the world-renowned Ski Dubai – the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park – a five star Kempinski hotel and 70 coffee shops and restaurants. Recently, the mall’s 500 seat community theatre and accompanying arts centre – DUCTAC – opened its doors to the public.

The mall is undergoing its largest ever expansion programme with just under half a billion dirhams to be invested in new space and is due to be completed by the late summer of 2010. The project will see the addition of increased facilities for shopping, dining and parking, a direct link for Dubai Metro commuters and increased parking spaces to accommodate 750 vehicles.

For more information, please contact:
Komal Manglani
Polaris Public Relations
P. O. Box 32838, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +9714-3415555; Fax: +9714-3415588
Email: k.manglani@polaris-me.com