Football legend Ruud Gullit has praised the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) as a world-leading model for promoting community health and wellbeing — urging other cities to follow Dubai’s example.
The AC Milan and Netherlands icon, who won the 1987 Ballon d’Or, visited Jumeirah Golf Estates today to take part in a golf challenge at DP World’s chipping activation alongside American golf influencer Bradford Wilson. The DP World Tour Championship, running from 13–16 November, is one of several global sporting events aligned with DFC, and features a series of fitness activations for fans.
“Dubai Fitness Challenge is a great initiative – they should do it everywhere”
“The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a great initiative – they should do it everywhere around the world,” said Gullit during his visit to the season-ending tournament, which brings together the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings for the DP World Tour finale.
Gullit emphasised that daily exercise should be seen as an essential routine. “You need to understand keeping active must be the same as brushing your teeth – it must be something you do regularly to keep your body fit. You only have one body for as long as you live, so you must take care of it.”
Free golf lessons across Dubai throughout November
Fans attending the DP World Tour Championship can take advantage of free golf lessons through the Golf is Good x Dubai Fitness Challenge initiative, supported by The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation.
The programme includes over 100 free golf activities across 10 venues this month – from beginner lessons and simulator sessions to fitness workouts and a “Walk to Win” step challenge at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
As Gullit put it: “It’s much easier to be lazy than active, but once you get moving, your body releases dopamine that makes you feel happy. You can only get that through exercise – so get out there and do it.”
Register for free and explore the full schedule of Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 events, classes and activities at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com.
