Changing the Health and Fitness Landscape in Kuwait: ALARGAN’s Latest Projects

Interview with Abdullah Al Askari, Managing Director of C Club (Life Beam / ALARGAN)

A year ago, we talked about obesity but perhaps we can discuss issues pertaining to children and the younger generation. What would be your appeal to the authorities? What would you like to say to those institutions including schools about the importance of educating for a healthy lifestyle?

Kuwait is rated amongst the highest worldwide for obesity, child diabetes and all the other diseases which are associated with them. It has now become very important for the Ministry of Education to take a stand and implement an educational sports or nutritional program in the schools to build health awareness in our youth. We should go as far as bringing in classes to educate children about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Last year, we have also brought to attention that education starts at home, which makes it crucial to educate parents about providing a healthy diet for their children, the importance of exercise and physical activity and how to remain disciplined in these healthy habits. If the house is full of junk food and the children see their parents eating that, then obviously they will eat it too. I believe the change should start at home.

Can you comment on the social media influence?

I have noticed the rise of certain social media influencers in the past few years, however this phenomenon has been going on for a decade or so. Kuwait has really effective, who have a huge number of followers and fans and are very influential in the media. Some of them are doing really great things for the country as far as charity work, cleaning beaches, cleaning the dessert, planting greenery etc. However and unfortunately, most of these influencers are being called to promote unhealthy new concept restaurants, with no consideration to how it will affect the youth and health standards in the country. These influencers have to beware that most of their followers are in their teens and 20s and that they are easily influenced. It would be really fortunate if the influencers could balance out the restaurants or type of food they are promoting, and express the importance of having a healthy diet and living a healthy life.

I suppose something should be done by the government and by the audience as well.
How about the projects you’re now overseeing? What exciting news do you have?

Life Beam, a subsidiary of ALARGAN International Real Estate Company is responsible for the operations and business development of all the ALARGAN fitness, medical and health facilities and developments. At the moment, ALARGAN is finalizing the rehabilitation centre and are in the initial phase of developing a new sports club project that is around 22,000m2 in Sabah Al Salem area. The sports club will consist of male and female gyms, squash courts, tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts, indoor and outdoor soccer, a running track, a children’s education centre, a facility for disabled children, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the biggest climbing wall in the region as well. This project is something we are definitely excited for, as it will build major health awareness and exposure to the youth in Kuwait, by providing healthy activities to enjoy at any day and all year round.

You mentioned that there would be a specific area allocated to disabled children.

Yes, we want to tap into a new segment or demographic. For that reason, we did some research on the availability of sports or activity centres in Kuwait for disabled youth, and practically, there is no specialised facility for disabled children to exercise or do any kind of sporting activities in Kuwait. This is when we took the decision to allocate a specifically free space in this upcoming sports complex for disabled youth to enjoy an active lifestyle and socialization spot. ALARGAN and Life Beam are very excited to do this for this segment for a positive influence and effect on our society.

Can you tell us more about the education centre for children?

When doing our research on the available facilities in Kuwait, we do lack out of school after school activities centres. Most kids go to public schools; public schools are not emphasizing or creating enough after school activities to tap into the child’s hobby—whether it’s a sport, band, theatre etc. On the other hand, private schools do offer these types of activities, but not everyone can afford to put their kids in private schools. The full-fledged educational centre is the place for children with various interests to come and learn dancing, singing, theatre etc.. The project will also have a library, cooking classes, and language classes.

Has it been launched already?

No, not yet. It will be part of the sports complex, which means they will be launching together.

On another note, we are really looking forward to launching the rehabilitation clinic. We have a deadline of May 2018 and we are positive this clinic will make a big change for rehab patients and for people that need help. I think it is one of a kind already and we just hope to keep the standard as high as it is throughout the years.

Is there any such rehabilitation centre yet in Kuwait?

Not yet. We did a lot of research before we started this project. There are two types of rehabilitation centres in Kuwait, either private or government. All of them are located in hospitals, either on a whole floor or a section of the hospital.

How about C Club, what are the plans?

We have big plans for the club. We are looking into an expansion for the club itself; we want to add more gym space and group class space in the facility. The main focus of the upcoming year is to provide more class space and functional training space at C Club, with new and fresh classes and training styles.

The grounds here are somewhat limited.

Yes, but we are planning on adding 420m2 of functional space for cross-fit and strength and conditioning and another 250m2 for a spinning cycle studio.

Has C Club recently signed any exclusive partnerships?

Yes, at the end of 2017 we signed an exclusivity contract with Ooreedo Telecom, and part of the contract is for them to hold their VIP events in the club. They usually attract high end brands as we do. There are agreements with Ferrari, Hublot and Rolex, to take part in their events as well, to display their brands and products. I believe this is a good collaboration for us. They also have a VIP department and, so we are targeting those VIP members to join the club throughout the year as well. We are very excited about this partnership.

A year ago, we talked about obesity but perhaps we can discuss issues pertaining to children and the younger generation. What would be your appeal to the authorities? What would you like to say to those institutions including schools about the importance of educating for a healthy lifestyle?

Kuwait is rated amongst the highest worldwide for obesity, child diabetes and all the other diseases which are associated with them. It has now become very important for the Ministry of Education to take a stand and implement an educational sports or nutritional program in the schools to build health awareness in our youth. We should go as far as bringing in classes to educate children about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Last year, we have also brought to attention that education starts at home, which makes it crucial to educate parents about providing a healthy diet for their children, the importance of exercise and physical activity and how to remain disciplined in these healthy habits. If the house is full of junk food and the children see their parents eating that, then obviously they will eat it too. I believe the change should start at home.

Can you comment on the social media influence?

I have noticed the rise of certain social media influencers in the past few years, however this phenomenon has been going on for a decade or so. Kuwait has really effective, who have a huge number of followers and fans and are very influential in the media. Some of them are doing really great things for the country as far as charity work, cleaning beaches, cleaning the dessert, planting greenery etc. However and unfortunately, most of these influencers are being called to promote unhealthy new concept restaurants, with no consideration to how it will affect the youth and health standards in the country. These influencers have to beware that most of their followers are in their teens and 20s and that they are easily influenced. It would be really fortunate if the influencers could balance out the restaurants or type of food they are promoting, and express the importance of having a healthy diet and living a healthy life.

I suppose something should be done by the government and by the audience as well.
How about the projects you’re now overseeing? What exciting news do you have?

Life Beam, a subsidiary of ALARGAN International Real Estate Company is responsible for the operations and business development of all the ALARGAN fitness, medical and health facilities and developments. At the moment, ALARGAN is finalizing the rehabilitation centre and are in the initial phase of developing a new sports club project that is around 22,000m2 in Sabah Al Salem area. The sports club will consist of male and female gyms, squash courts, tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts, indoor and outdoor soccer, a running track, a children’s education centre, a facility for disabled children, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the biggest climbing wall in the region as well. This project is something we are definitely excited for, as it will build major health awareness and exposure to the youth in Kuwait, by providing healthy activities to enjoy at any day and all year round.

You mentioned that there would be a specific area allocated to disabled children.

Yes, we want to tap into a new segment or demographic. For that reason, we did some research on the availability of sports or activity centres in Kuwait for disabled youth, and practically, there is no specialised facility for disabled children to exercise or do any kind of sporting activities in Kuwait. This is when we took the decision to allocate a specifically free space in this upcoming sports complex for disabled youth to enjoy an active lifestyle and socialization spot. ALARGAN and Life Beam are very excited to do this for this segment for a positive influence and effect on our society.

Can you tell us more about the education centre for children?

When doing our research on the available facilities in Kuwait, we do lack out of school after school activities centres. Most kids go to public schools; public schools are not emphasizing or creating enough after school activities to tap into the child’s hobby—whether it’s a sport, band, theatre etc. On the other hand, private schools do offer these types of activities, but not everyone can afford to put their kids in private schools. The full-fledged educational centre is the place for children with various interests to come and learn dancing, singing, theatre etc.. The project will also have a library, cooking classes, and language classes.

Has it been launched already?

No, not yet. It will be part of the sports complex, which means they will be launching together.

On another note, we are really looking forward to launching the rehabilitation clinic. We have a deadline of May 2018 and we are positive this clinic will make a big change for rehab patients and for people that need help. I think it is one of a kind already and we just hope to keep the standard as high as it is throughout the years.

Is there any such rehabilitation centre yet in Kuwait?

Not yet. We did a lot of research before we started this project. There are two types of rehabilitation centres in Kuwait, either private or government. All of them are located in hospitals, either on a whole floor or a section of the hospital.

How about C Club, what are the plans?

We have big plans for the club. We are looking into an expansion for the club itself; we want to add more gym space and group class space in the facility. The main focus of the upcoming year is to provide more class space and functional training space at C Club, with new and fresh classes and training styles.

The grounds here are somewhat limited.

Yes, but we are planning on adding 420m2 of functional space for cross-fit and strength and conditioning and another 250m2 for a spinning cycle studio.

Has C Club recently signed any exclusive partnerships?

Yes, at the end of 2017 we signed an exclusivity contract with Ooreedo Telecom, and part of the contract is for them to hold their VIP events in the club. They usually attract high end brands as we do. There are agreements with Ferrari, Hublot and Rolex, to take part in their events as well, to display their brands and products. I believe this is a good collaboration for us. They also have a VIP department and, so we are targeting those VIP members to join the club throughout the year as well. We are very excited about this partnership.

 

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