Dubai– More than a thousand people will be participating in this year’s Gov Games at Expo 2020 Dubai, under the slogan #1Team1Spirit. During a media briefing held on Tuesday, 7 December, details of the event, to be held at Expo Village from 9-11 December, were revealed.
 
Gov Games is a series of physical and mental challenges that bring together people from the UAE and beyond. A unique initiative, the games reinforce team spirit and collaborative work between friends, colleagues, and government sectors from across the world. The event was launched in 2018 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.
 
Speaking to Expo News Service, Marwan bin Essa, Director of Gov Games, said, “We are proud to be here today at Expo 2020, and to be a part of this international mega-event and we thank Expo 2020 for its collaboration with us in constructing and equipping the site.
 
“This year’s edition of the Gov Games is set to feature 137 teams consisting of 1,008 participants from various entities, including 120 UAE government participating entities. And this year, in line with directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, we opened the joining of participation in Gov Games for all residents of [the UAE]… under a new category, the Community Category, which was added to original categories, Men’s Teams – Government Entities, and Women’s Teams – Government Entities.”
 
Marwan bin Essa explained how the Games work: “The Gov Games consist of nine challenges, that test the physical and mental abilities of the players, as the participants begin to practice physical and mental exercises before the challenges start, by a period ranging from three to four months to acquire the required fitness. These games are team sports, not individual sports, aimed to develop leadership, collaboration, strategy planning, and other skills among the participating team members, which are the key to success for organisations.”
 
Marwan bin Essa added: “The prizes granted to the winners are among the biggest motivators for the participants: prizes of AED 2.7 million will be awarded, divided among the winners of the first three places of each category. The first day will be dedicated to the qualifying teams participating under the category: Men’s Teams – Government Entities and Women’s Teams, and the second day for qualifying teams participating under the Community Category, while the last day is dedicated to the final challenges and the distribution of prizes to the winners.”