Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma: Gulf Bank Marathon a successful model of public-private partnership

State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs, Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, stated that the Gulf Bank Marathon represents a successful model of sustainable partnership 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.

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

Minister 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 community stature, as well as the broad participation it attracts, which includes world-class athletes alongside various segments of society.

He emphasized that the marathon’s significance extends beyond being a sporting race 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.

He expressed his pride and admiration for the marathon’s continuous successes over the past 12 years, noting 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 community 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 standards of quality and services provided to participants, which have contributed to enhancing the marathon’s reputation 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, the Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Bank stated that the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon has become a landmark in Kuwait’s sporting and community landscape, serving as an annual milestone that embodies the values of partnership and corporate social responsibility.

He added that Gulf Bank’s continued sponsorship of this major sporting event reflects the bank’s 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 the principles of community sustainability.

He noted that the Gulf Bank Marathon represents a practical model of this vision; it is not merely an annual sporting event, but a community platform that brings together diverse segments of society, encourages them to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and raises awareness of the importance of sports as an essential part of individual and community life.

He pointed out that the marathon has succeeded in attracting more participants year after year, starting with approximately 400 runners in its first edition and exceeding 10,000 in its most recent edition, becoming a quintessential sporting and community event with participation from athletes within and outside Kuwait, as well as citizens and residents from all backgrounds.

He stated: “The impact of the marathon extends beyond sports and health aspects; it also supports the national economy and stimulates numerous sectors linked to major sporting events, while 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 underscores that achieving developmental goals is a shared responsibility. In this context, he extended his 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 sustaining this success. He also acknowledged the significant support provided by the Ministries of Health and Municipalities, as well as other entities and organizations that contribute annually to the success and distinction of this event.

In conclusion of his speech, Al-Adousani expressed his gratitude to Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma for his attendance and support. He also thanked Savex Company, 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 globally classified.

For his part, Ahmed Al-Hizam, CEO of Savex for Sports Events Organization, stated that the Gulf Bank Marathon is internationally classified by three global bodies. It is distinguished as the only marathon in Kuwait to receive the Road Race Label from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and it is registered on the international races list of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Furthermore, 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 over 75,000 from approximately 80 countries.

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

Waleed Al-Saqqabi, Project Manager 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 event attracts a large number of athletes and visitors annually, transcending its role as a sporting activity and actively contributing to reinforcing Kuwait as a distinctive Gulf tourist destination.