Standard Chartered Bank co sponsors First Women’s Mini Marathon in Qatar
January 26, 2009 Doha Qatar - Standard Chartered Bank is pleased to announce its support as the Official Bank for the First Women’s Mini Marathon in Qatar. The ASPIRE Zone facilities have been chosen as the proposed venue for the marathon.
Running, often a solitary pastime, is now increasingly being seen as a participation sport that offers ordinary individuals the chance to get fit and make friends along the way – the fun element in serious exercising – the aim of the Woman Today Mini Marathon.
Tom Aaker, Standard Chartered Bank’s Chief Executive Officer said, “For the Management and staff at Standard Chartered Bank, maintaining a healthy work life balance has always been a key priority. We have initiatives like the “Greatest Race on Earth” and “Well Being Week” - activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. Choosing to support the first of its kind Women’s Mini Marathon in Qatar is in keeping with Standard Chartered Bank’s values and promotes our belief in employee engagement”.
Aaker added, “We intend to maximise participation from our female employees and look forward to promoting our values of health and well being beyond the Bank and into the community”.
“Health and well being are key issues for Woman Today and we wanted to promote it with a simple yet powerful message. Running is by far the simplest and one of the most effective forms of exercise and the Woman Today Mini Marathon seeks to bring together serious and first time runners,” says Ravi Raman, the Vice President of Oryx Advertising.
Whether one is entering a race in order to test the level of their running ability, or simply for the fun of enjoying the moment surrounded by fellow fitness enthusiasts, there is no doubt that organised events and their rise in the past few years have brought a new dimension to running, alluring more people to participate in them.
“We are excited with the initial response of our readers and are all set to kick off the road shows and registration process. ASPIRE’s partnership adds tremendous value as they share our vision in promoting a healthy lifestyle in Qatar,” Raman noted.
ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, created in 2004, has dual aims of identifying and transforming promising student athletes into world-renowned champions across a wide range of sports.
“ASPIRE is delighted to be partnering with the Woman Today Mini Marathon from the very beginning since this event is shaped to integrate sport into the life of the people of Qatar and the benefits of a regular physical activity are highly positive in terms of health and wellness improvement. The participants and spectators will enjoy the scenery and setting of an unequalled and highly innovative sports facility, which is regularly hosting top-level sporting events,” Laurent Joliat, ASPIRE Academy Communications Manager remarked.
For further information, please contact
Haya Mashhood
Head Corporate Affairs Qatar
Standard Chartered Bank
Tel : +974 5847178
Email : Haya.Mashhood@standardchartered.com
Note to Editors:
About Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered Group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world’s most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its income and profits have more than doubled over the last five years primarily as a result of organic growth and supplemented by acquisitions.
Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Bank derives more than 90 per cent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, generated from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has around 1,750 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities.
Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. It employs 75,000 people, nearly half of whom are women. The Group’s employees are of 115 nationalities, of which 60 are represented among senior management.
For more information, please visit: www.standardchartered.com