Saudi Arabia walks project launched

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health has launched a national project for walking in all regions and governorates of the Kingdom.

The project, titled “#Walk 30,” aims to promote public health, spread the culture of strolling, raise the rate of those practicing walking, and help those affected with chronic diseases.

Director General of Marketing and Awareness at the Ministry Anas Al-Hamid said that this initiative, the first phase of which lasts for four months, includes the participation of many schools and universities, an app to calculate the number of steps, and establish a Saudi event for the national day for walking, which falls on March 5, in all regions of the Kingdom.

Al-Hamid said that there will be many events to mark the day and these will be conducted in partnership with a number of agencies in cities and governorates, the most prominent of which will be the walking challenge competition and that depends on calculating the number of steps of the participants by setting a daily goal of not less than 8,000 steps.

The winners will be honored with prizes monthly and at the end of the competition. The participation in the competition will be through downloading the app and complete the registration process in addition to daily walking of 8,000 steps or more, and continuity in daily walking.

Al-Hamid stated that the National Walking Day event, titled “Saudi Arabia walks” will take place on March 5, which is a national day to enhance the practice of walking with the participation of all segments of the society in all regions of the Kingdom, as this day comes to keep pace with the aspirations of the country towards a healthy body in an ambitious country.