Residents register for the Ras Al Khaimah Biggest Weight Loser Challenge at RAK Hospital. Photo: Supplied
Residents register for the Ras Al Khaimah Biggest Weight Loser Challenge at RAK Hospital. Photo: Supplied
Residents register for the Ras Al Khaimah Biggest Weight Loser Challenge at RAK Hospital. Photo: Supplied
Residents register for the Ras Al Khaimah Biggest Weight Loser Challenge at RAK Hospital. Photo: Supplied

Thousands sign up to win cash in Ras Al Khaimah weight-loss challenge


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

More than 10,000 UAE residents have signed up for a weight loss challenge in Ras Al Khaimah .

Ras Al Khaimah Biggest Weight Loser Challenge is a 10-week programme that started on December 17.

It aims to encourage participants to make positive changes in their lifestyles to prevent risks associated with being overweight. It is open to all the emirate’s residents over the age of 18.

Participants have the option to register in the “physical” or the "virtual” category.

Two winners in the physical category – a man and a woman – will get Dh500 for every kilogram they lose.

The participants’ height, weight, BMI and blood pressure are recorded when they register for the event.

They are then given weekly diet and exercise plans. Ras Al Khaimah Hospital will organise seminars on weight loss and healthy eating habits for the participants.

“We expected that around 3,000 would register but triple that number signed up, which gives participants stronger incentive to really shed weight and improve their health,” said Dr Raza Siddiqui, chief executive of Arabian Healthcare Group and executive director of RAK Hospital.

“The number of participants reflects the public’s increased awareness of the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.”

Nearly half of the participants registered on-site and the rest online.

Winners who register online for the “virtual” challenge will get a chance to win free hotel stays, shopping, and medical check-up vouchers.

Corporate teams can also participate and the winning team will get a trophy.

The programme was first launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. It conducted a survey of married people during that time and found 33 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men in the UAE were classed as overweight, while 38 per cent of women and 15.8 per cent of men were obese.

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2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.

3.45pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,950m; Winner: Conclusion, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

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2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000

3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000

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8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000

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450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

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There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

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The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

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The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

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The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

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Founders:​ Bridgett Lau and Micheal Cooke​

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Sabri Razouk, 74

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  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
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  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
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  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

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Updated: December 23, 2021, 4:37 AM