Health and Wellbeing central focus of Sportex
Nutrition and fitness key topics for discussion at international event for the sports, fitness, health and leisure industry taking place at DWTC this week
Nutrition and fitness are two of the most important factors in a healthy society and innovations in both are being presented for the first time at Sportex this week.
Nutritional supplements are fast taking off in gyms and health centres across the Middle East as athletes look to complement their fitness regimes with vital vitamins, minerals and proteins.
In Muscle is one of the region’s leading nutritional supplement suppliers. Last year the company exhibited at Sportex for the first time with four brands. This year In Muscle returns with 25 brands under its belt.
“We are promoting all our products, which are nutritional supplements. Visitors can pass by our stand and sample a protein milk shake. We are here to try and build awareness of the benefits of a healthy body,” said Ahmad Kargar, general manager, In Muscle.
“The UAE market is divided into two markets – Dubai and Abu Dhabi and other emirates. Abu Dhabi is a better market for body building as Dubai’s population is extensively expatriates who come for short term stays. Body building awareness is growing in this part of the world but it will take couple of years to reach the stage of markets in US, Canada, Australia and UK.”
Belgium’s Nutrico is exhibiting its nutritional supplements for the first time at Sportex this week.
“Seeing what has happened in the USA and Europe, I believe there is a big opportunity for sports nutrition here in the Middle East. We have products for hardcore bodybuilding as well as for the standard sportsmen. We believe that our Performance brand could become really important in this region,” said Willy Coolen, managing director of Nutrico.
Nutrico is looking to secure distributors in key markets across the region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai, for its range of Performance food supplements, sports nutrition, drinks and snack bars.
In Motion, a company that specialises in youth fitness, hopes to get the Middle East’s children active with its ‘exergaming’ concepts.
“The Middle East market is very important to our company. In Motion specialises in youth fitness which is neglected by many. The obesity epidemic in youth and adults is a major public health issue in the MENA region. Decreasing obesity level among today’s youth can be achieved by promoting better lifestyle, awareness, and increasing recreational activities. We dedicate ourselves to keeping youth healthy and active by providing innovative and state-of-the-art child-friendly environments consisting of interactive exercise equipment and ready-to-use educational lesson plans,” said Marc Tanas, general manager, In Motion
“Gaming has advanced tremendously in the past few years with games becoming as good as the real thing. It is only a matter of time when we will start to see sports and health centres replacing their traditional fitness equipments with more exciting interactive equipments called exergaming. Exergaming is a blend of exercise and gaming. The industry will evolve to become more interactive, fun and rewarding.”
Endorsed by Dubai Sports Council and presented by Dubai Sports City, Sportex Middle East is showcasing the very latest in sports, fitness, health, outdoor and stadium equipment in the region this week.
Open to trade members and the general public, the show promises a hectic three days of business and fun. Special events taking place during the show include a Body Building Championship, while Mr Olympia Jay Cutler will be visiting the exhibition on Wednesday.
Exhibitors at the 2008 edition of Sportex include camping and outdoor equipment, fitness equipment and accessories, indoor sports equipment, track and field sports equipment, shoes and apparels, nutrition, and sport stadium facilities.
Sportex 2008 is supported by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), a world authoritative body for the sports industry and officially recognized by the IOC.
Sportex 2008 will run until November 5 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
