Bafetimbi Gomis and Omar Al Somah take up Home Team Hero Challenge

The initiative, hosted by adidas, aims to raise $1 million for WHO's Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund

Bafetimbi Gomis club during the Asian Champions League match between Al Hilal and Shahr Khodro in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Bafetimbi Gomis and Omar Al Somah have become the latest football stars to add their name to a charitable initiative aimed at giving back to the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

The Home Team Hero Challenge, hosted by adidas, is a virtual sporting event for athletes of all disciplines and levels, which has promised to donate $1 (Dh3.67) for every hour of tracked activity. Running from May 29 to June 7, its goal is to reach one million hours.

A number of high-profile athletes based in the Gulf have signed up to the initiative, including Al Hilal striker Gomis and Al Ahli Jeddah counterpart Al Somah. Two of the most prominent players in the region – combined, they boast more than six million followers on social media – and the pair are encouraging fans to take up the challenge.

Michel Salgado, the former Real Madrid defender who lives in Dubai, and Alvaro Negredo, the former Al Nasr captain, have also lent their support to the initiative since its launch on Friday.

Scott Zalaznik, senior vice president of digital at adidas, said: “Some of our global athletes are beginning to head back into the world, while others remain committed from home.

“Regardless of circumstance, what unites us all is our drive to do good, feel connected to each other as one team and, most importantly, to say thank you to the essential workers who were there for us in a time of need. This is our chance to be there for those who kept us moving.”

To participate, athletes can download the adidas Running or adidas Training app, create an account and then sign up to the #HomeTeamHero Challenge. The challenge comprises a variety of sports, including football, tennis, cycling, hiking, skateboarding and yoga. The apps can be downloaded at https://adirun.app/rG9h