Mangrove nursery on Saadiyat Island to encourage plantation

The initiative has recently been launched by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve the physical and emotional health of Dubai's youngsters.

Samer Kamal, Business Development Manager of Right To Play, and Fatma Al Marri, CEO of Dubai Schools Agency recently signed a service agreement which will take the initiative ahead.

The initiative is already operating in all of Dubai's public schools from Grades 1-12 where sports and athletics curricula have been changed and enhanced. Approximately 20,000 young people have taken part in activities organised under its umbrella.

Al Marri said at the signing: "There is scientific proof of the link between physical health and emotional well-being. It is very important that our children have facilities and the guidance to take part in all kinds of sporting activities so that they can take a love of sport into their adult lives." Kamal added: "The Princess Haya Initiative will be able to roll out its programme and reach even more students."

At the official launch of the initiative on October 23, 2007, Al Marri listed some of the problems facing Dubai's schoolchildren, which it is hoped this initiative will tackle. This week, a group of 10 people involved with the initiative will go to Toronto (Canada), where Right To Play is based, for a workshop to train teachers to become mentors.