Al-Jalahma: Gulf Marathon a Successful Model for Public-Private Partnership

This came during the press conference marking the launch of the Gulf Bank Marathon on November 28, attended by several officials from Gulf Bank, Savex, and sponsors, including Al Rawdatain Company, Intersport Company, Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Trading Company, Sanouna and Al-Mala for Exchange, and Jazeera Airways (the official airline carrier of the marathon), all of whom were honored by Gulf Bank and Savex.

Al-Jalahma added in his speech that the idea of integrating the marathon into the Kuwait Youth and Sports Season was present from the season’s initial meetings, given its importance and sporting and social stature, as well as the broad participation it attracts, which includes a select group of world champions alongside various segments of society.

He clarified that the marathon’s significance extends beyond being a sporting race where participants compete to cover specific distances; it goes deeper into broader social dimensions. The organizers have successfully transformed it into a comprehensive family event that attracts all family members and encourages their participation and engagement, thereby promoting a culture of sports and physical activity in society.

He expressed pride and admiration for the marathon’s continuous successes over 12 years, emphasizing that the event’s continuity and development reflect a high level of organization and quality that has helped solidify its status as one of the most prominent sporting and social events in the country.

He praised the role played by Gulf Bank and Savex in organizing this sporting event and sustaining its success and development over 12 years, commending the efforts made and the high level of quality and services provided to participants, which have contributed to enhancing the marathon’s status and success year after year.

He affirmed that such initiatives serve as a model for cooperation among various sectors to organize sustainable sporting and social events that contribute to achieving the objectives of the Kuwait Youth and Sports Season and enhance community participation across all segments in sports activities.

For his part, Faisal Al-Adwani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Gulf Bank, stated that the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon has become a prominent landmark in Kuwait’s sporting and social landscape, serving as an annual milestone that embodies the values of partnership and social responsibility.

Al-Adwani added that Gulf Bank’s continued sponsorship of this major sporting event reflects our firm belief that the role of national institutions extends beyond providing services and products to include active contributions to community development, supporting national priorities, and reinforcing principles of social sustainability.

He explained that the marathon has succeeded in attracting more participants year after year, starting with around 400 runners in its first edition and exceeding 10,000 in its latest edition, becoming a quintessential sporting and social event with participation from athletes within and outside Kuwait, including citizens and residents from all segments.

He noted that the marathon’s impact is not limited to sporting and health aspects alone; it extends to supporting the national economy and stimulating many sectors linked to major sporting events, as well as enhancing Kuwait’s position on the map of regional and international sporting events.

He expressed the bank’s pride that the marathon reflects the success of the partnership between the public and private sectors, and confirms that achieving developmental goals is everyone’s responsibility. “In this context, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of State for Youth and Sports Affairs and the Ministry of Interior, whose support played a pivotal role in achieving this continuous success. We also highly value the significant support provided by the Ministries of Health and Municipalities, along with other entities and organizations that contribute annually to the success and distinction of this event.”

Al-Adousani expressed his gratitude to Minister Al-Jalahma for his attendance and support, and also thanked Savex, the sponsors, volunteers, media outlets, and all participants who have been and continue to be key partners in the success of the Gulf Bank Marathon, the largest in Kuwait and the only one with a global classification.

For his part, Ahmed Al-Hizam, CEO of Savex Sports Events Management, stated that the Gulf Bank Marathon is internationally classified by three global bodies. It stands out as the only marathon in Kuwait to receive the World Athletics Road Race Label and is registered on the list of international races by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Additionally, runners participating in the Gulf Bank Marathon can accumulate points and qualify for the Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings for athletes aged 40 and above. He noted that previous editions of the marathon saw participation exceeding 12,000 runners, while the total number of participants reached more than 75,000 from around 80 countries.

He emphasized that Savex, in collaboration with Gulf Bank, is committed to applying environmental sustainability standards, noting that more than 80 percent of the materials used in the event are reusable, all marathon T-shirts are made from recycled materials, and all surplus medals are melted down for reuse.

Waleed Al-Saqqabi, Project Director of the Kuwait Youth and Sports Season, expressed his pride in including the Gulf Bank Marathon in the Kuwait Season events, citing its achievements and its distinguished status within Kuwaiti society and beyond. The marathon now attracts a large number of athletes and visitors annually, transcending its role as a sporting event and actively contributing to enhancing Kuwait’s position as a distinctive Gulf tourist destination.