Minister of Youth and Sports: Gulf Bank Marathon a Successful Model for Sustainable Public-Private Partnership

Kuwait’s Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, affirmed today, Tuesday, that the Gulf Bank Marathon represents a successful model of the sustainable relationship between the public and private sectors, and a pioneering community initiative that has reached various segments of society and reinforced the concept of sports as a lifestyle.

Speaking at a press conference for the Gulf Bank Marathon, scheduled for November 28, Minister Al-Jalahma stated that the idea of integrating the marathon into the Kuwait Youth and Sports Season was present from the season’s initial meetings, given its sporting and community significance and the broad participation it attracts, which includes world-class champions alongside diverse segments of society.

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

Expressing pride and appreciation for the marathon’s continuous successes over 12 years, he emphasized that the event’s continuity and development reflect a high level of organization and quality, which has contributed to solidifying its status as one of the most prominent sporting and community events in the country.

He praised the role played by Gulf Bank and Savex Company in organizing this sporting event and sustaining its success and development over the past 12 years, commending the efforts made and the high standards 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 community 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, Gulf Bank Executive Vice President Faisal Al-Adwani, in a similar statement, affirmed that the Gulf Bank Marathon (642) has become a prominent landmark in Kuwait’s sporting and community landscape, embodying the values of partnership, social responsibility, and encouraging various segments of society to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Announcing the launch of the 12th edition of the marathon, Al-Adwani noted that the event has witnessed a noticeable development in participant numbers, starting with approximately 400 runners in its first edition and reaching over 10,000 participants in its most recent edition. He explained that the total number of participants in previous editions exceeded 75,000 from around 150 nationalities.

He added that the marathon reflects the success of the partnership between the public and private sectors, contributes to supporting the national economy and activating sectors related to major sporting events, and enhances Kuwait’s position on the map of regional and international sporting events.

Al-Adwani expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, supporting government entities, sponsors, and volunteers for their efforts in ensuring the marathon’s success. He described it as the largest marathon in Kuwait and the only one globally classified, calling on everyone to participate in its 12th edition, scheduled for November 28.

For his part, Savex Company CEO Ahmed Al-Hizam affirmed in his statement that the Gulf Bank Marathon (642) represents a continuous sporting and community success story over 12 years, during which it achieved global reach and attracted more than 75,000 runners from 80 countries, including over 12,000 international participants.

Al-Hazimi stated that the event places significant emphasis on environmental sustainability, with more than 80 percent of the materials used being reusable, alongside the production of participants’ T-shirts from recycled materials. He added that the marathon is the first race in Kuwait to receive the World Athletics Road Race Label, as well as to be a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and to have its course internationally certified, enabling runners to leverage their results for qualification in internationally recognized marathons. (End) S.A.D