Challenge invites people to walk 6,000 steps a day, with donations made to charity for every 1,000 steps tracked through the SFA App
The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has launched its new Ehsan Steps Challenge, inviting the nation to take a step forward for charity. The Challenge is organized in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) through its Ehsan Platform; and Nahdi Medical Company, Saudi Arabia’s largest pharmacy retail chain, and pioneering healthcare provider.
The Ehsan Steps Challenge invites people to walk 6,000 steps a day, with every thousand steps winning a SAR 1 donation to charity through the SDAIA Ehsan platform. Steps will be tracked through the SFA App, the centerpiece of the organization’s digital transformation efforts.
“The Ehsan Steps Challenge combines the philanthropy and generosity inspired by the holy month of Ramadan with a healthier and more active lifestyle. We want the nation to embrace a health-first lifestyle while also creating community campaigns that knit the fabric of society closer together, said Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, Managing Director, Saudi Sports For All Federation. “The Challenge embraces giving while encouraging people to meet their fitness goals, and we are grateful for the support we have received from partners such as SDAIA and Nahdi Medical Company.”
The Ehsan Steps Challenge furthers the SFA’s collaborative approach to health and well-being as it gets the nation moving in partnership with national and local authorities and corporate partners. The Challenge also directly builds on the recent MoU signed between SFA and SDAIA, which explores how technological innovation can be used to improve national health, boost activity levels, create community events, and amplify campaign outreach.
Eng. Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, CEO of Ehsan Platform – SDAIA, said: “The Ehsan Steps Challenge combines sports competition and the gratification of giving. The collaboration is a great approach for the nation to participate in healthy activities while contributing to the greater good. Sports means health and strength, and “Ehsan” entails solidarity and reward. The use of the Ehsan platform makes it easy for people to donate to beneficiaries without much effort required.”
Nahdi Medical Company has endorsed the initiative as a corporate partner, donating to Ehsan’s national campaign. The contribution will form part of the funds donated to charitable causes as participants hit their steps goals.
Commenting on this initiative, Eng. Yasser Joharji, CEO of Nahdi Medical Company said “This partnership reflects our commitment to improving the quality of our guests’ lives and builds on the momentum created by the Wazen Hayatek program in 2018 that inspired people to collectively walk 2 billion steps together. The Ehsan Steps Challenge is aligned with Nahdi’s vision to promote preventive healthcare in Saudi Arabia and positively impact the community to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle.”
The Ehsan Steps Challenge adds further momentum to SFA’s schedule of Ramadan activities and challenges. The Federation is running its latest Step Together series that encourages people to keep moving. Each Step Together Event till the end of 2021 lasts between five and twenty days, setting participants running and walking challenges. Participants completing a challenge are awarded a unique commemorative medal and certificate of completion to keep them motivated.
The Challenge combines philanthropy and giving during the Holy Month with the SFA’s support of the Quality of Life program mandated in the Saudi Vision 2030. The Quality of Life program calls for increasing the number of people undertaking regular physical activity in the Kingdom to 40% by 2030, and the Federation is helping meet this target by facilitating sporting opportunities and initiating campaigns encouraging exercise.
