NBK’s 17th Walkathon comes to a successful conclusion with more than 15,000 contesters

Amidst a carnival-like atmosphere, thousands of male and female enthusiastic competing walkers of all age groups took to the smooth course of NBK's 17^th annual Walkathon on Saturday March 26^th, 2011. More than 15,000 participated in NBK’s Walkathon led by the Minister of Public Health Dr. Hilal Al Sayer, US Ambassador in Kuwait Deborah Johnes, NBK Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer Isam Jasem Al Sager and many senior NBK officials. 

Thousands of cheering supporters and spectators and media people lined the racing route on the Arabian Gulf road to the finish line at the Green Island where NBK has organized a huge conclusion event. In addition to the award ceremony, the event was marked with a variety of entertainment activities in addition to Al Jawhara raffle as well as a special draw for a brand new KIA Cerato Koup 2011, which was won by Khalid Ibrahim Al Sallal. 

Speaking in front of thousands of contestants, spectators and guests who gathered at the end of the Walkathon to celebrate the awarding of the first-place winners from each participating category, NBK Group Deputy CEO, Isam Jasem Al Sager said: “the huge participation from the various age categories at the 17^th version of NBK's Annual Walkathon had by far exceeded all expectations, providing yet another testament of  the great community confidence in this mega event which has become one of the much awaited NBK public activities”. 

Dr. Hilal Al Sayer, the Minister of Public Health, praised the successful event, saying that "NBK was the first to initiate and organize such a social activity that contains an important awareness message for society to fight and eradicate disease. Health awareness is a joint responsibility between individuals, private institutions and public authorities”. 

Al Sager also thanked all the public and private authorities and institutions that helped in turning this event into a great success. He added that “the Walkathon had been basically conceptualized to encourage sports and combine it with worthwhile social causes. Hence, NBK's 17^th walkathon for this year comes within a comprehensive campaign geared towards raising awareness about kidney health".