ShareKUWAIT: After fierce competitions between the contestants that lasted for hours last Friday in Bnaider as part of Gulf Bank’s “Off-Road Challenge,” the organizing committee announced the winners of the race prizes. From the professional category, winners included: 1- Ahmed Al-Saffar, 2- Sulaiman Al-Khudari, 3- Hasan Al-Jarallah. From the amateur’s category winners included: 1- Jarrah Al-Rabiah, 2- Mohammad Al-Samir, 3- Mohammad Reda Al-Kaabi.
This year’s Off-Road Challenge is Gulf Bank’s second edition of the sporting event, the first of its kind in Kuwait for fans of four-wheel drive vehicles held in cooperation with Suffix Sports Events Management Company. In light of the wonderful weather and the large public attendance, many restaurants were keen to be present at the race site.
Social sustainability
On this occasion, the Deputy General Manager of Corporate Communications at Gulf Bank, Ahmed Al-Amir, said, “We would like to congratulate the winners of the prizes of the second edition of the Off-Road Challenge. This year’s competition was fierce, displaying the skills and abilities of Kuwaiti youth in driving four-wheel drive vehicles and facing natural and industrial challenges in the racetrack.”
He added: “In parallel with Gulf Bank’s organization of the Off-Road Challenge activities for off-road racing amateurs and professionals, we have been keen this year to support amateurs and professionals in sports car racing by sponsoring the KTC race that was held on March 10-11, a community event that gathered local youth in spending a special weekend that blended sports and entertainment.”
He continued: “Within the framework of its social responsibilities and its continuous support for the youth, Gulf Bank is keen to organize multiple sporting events throughout the year, designed to provide young people with the opportunity to practice their beloved sport, enjoy the passion of the challenge, and compete for valuable financial prizes.” He stated that sustainability programs represent one of the main pillars of Gulf Bank’s 2025 strategy, which touches on financial, environmental and social sustainability in a way that contributes to the development of society and enhances its leadership in all fields.
Prioritizing local youth
For his part, the Assistant Manager of Corporate Communications at Gulf Bank, Fahad Al-Sharrah, emphasized Gulf Bank’s interest in sponsoring sporting events, because of their role in promoting physical and health fitness for local youth, whom the Bank prioritizes both in terms of banking and community services. He pointed out that the participants previously competed in the face of natural terrain and artificial barriers, ranging in difficulty from easy to medium, as the competition circuit was prepared with many off-road roadblocks, using sand, rocks, water basins, and other challenges that the competitors must pass. Throughout the competition, Gulf Bank adhered to the utmost security and safety procedures. Al-Sharrah indicated that the race consists of several stages - each stage being a different natural or industrial challenge - while contestants were evaluated by a judging committee on their speed and skill in overcoming the challenges.
Partnership and cooperation
In turn, the General Manager of Suffix Sports Events Management Company, Ahmed Al-Majed, said: “We are proud to cooperate with Gulf Bank in organizing the second edition of the Gulf Bank ‘Off Road Challenge,’ the first sporting event of its kind in Kuwait. We are pleased to have organized such a successful event and to have made the event possible for our passionate athletes and audience.”
He pointed out that Suffix enjoys a long-standing partnership with Gulf Bank, extending over six years and entailing multiple sporting events including the Gulf Bank Marathon. Notably, the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is among only 128 races in the world, and the only marathon in Kuwait, that has the bronze AbbottWMM accreditation from the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings, a global age group marathon ranking system. Gulf Bank’s vision is to be the leading Kuwaiti Bank of the Future. The Bank is constantly engaging and empowering its employees as part of an inclusive and diversified workplace in recognition of every employee’s role in delivering customer excellence and serving the community at large. With its extensive network of branches and innovative digital services, Gulf Bank is able to give its customers the choice of how and where to conduct their banking transactions, all while ensuring a simple and seamless banking experience.
Gulf Bank is committed to maintaining robust developments in sustainability at environmental, social and governance levels through diverse sustainability initiatives, strategically selected to benefit the Bank both internally and externally. Gulf Bank supports Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait” and works with various parties to achieve it.
