Daman Games to challenge sedentary UAE lifestyles

ABU DHABI 12 September 2018: National Health Insurance Company – Daman has launched a new initiative called Daman Games, which will provide the UAE’s community with access to a range of competitive sports for them to directly participate in.

Starting with skateboarding, with other sports set to be added, Daman Games will also be integrated with Daman’s wider activities that encourage healthy living – providing a fully rounded approach to addressing sedentary lifestyles.

 Daman Games will focus on introducing as many people to skateboarding within the UAE now that the sport has been added to the Olympic roster starting with Tokyo 2020. Daman explained that skateboarding is a non-traditional sport which may entice an entirely new audience.

Daman’s ActiveLife activities will be integrated to provide Daman Games participants with venues for regular fitness training sessions. The weekly events are free to enter and easily accessible, taking place in iconic landmarks such as Yas Marina Circuit and Zayed Sports City amongst others.

Dr Michael Bitzer, Chief Executive Officer said: “Starting with skateboarding, we are providing young and promising talent a chance to lead the way and develop the essential qualities needed to become a future champion. We hope Daman Games will instil not only the habit of fitness and physical wellbeing but also create an opportunity using the latest technologies and social media for strong peer influence amongst the younger generation.”

September and October will see a series of five Daman Games activation events take place across the UAE, where newcomers can try their hand at skateboarding before two major competitions taking place in Abu Dhabi on 16^th November and in Dubai on 23^rd November in a bid to find those with the most potential to be the region’s future skateboarding champions.

Even those not directly competing can still get involved: either with the on-site activations or in ActiveLife training sessions, all helping to encourage the wider community to get active.

Daman Games Skateboarding Competitions

Two big competitions will be held in November on the 16^th in Abu Dhabi (Al Bahar) and on the 23^rd in Dubai (JBR The Beach), where custom made bespoke street skate parks will be built in each location. Full details of the competitions will be revealed in due course and posted on the company’s official website.

Daman Games Activation Events

In September and October there will be a series of five “activation events” taking place in Al Ain (Bawadi Mall), Abu Dhabi (Marina Mall) and Dubai (Jumeirah Lake Towers, Mall of the Emirates & La Mer). The activation events will look to introduce newcomers to skateboarding, whilst offering more experienced riders the chance to prepare, practise and also be scouted for the main competitions taking place in November.

There will be an activity village at every event with plenty of fun things to do for both kids and adults to enjoy while skateboarding is taking place, such as expert demonstrations, skateboarding advice clinics and best trick contest displays.