Landmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hospitality organisation, was chosen as one of the first organisation in the UAE to receive the inaugural Sports Imprint Award, for their decade-long contribution to the community with the Beat Diabetes initiative.

The award was presented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. This award is a joint initiative of the Dubai Sports Council and the Watani Al Emarat Foundation, a public entity organisation, which runs social development programmes.

Receiving the award from the Crown Prince of Dubai, Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman and CEO, Landmark Group, stated, “We are deeply touched and very thankful to the leadership of the UAE, the Dubai Sports Council and Watani Al Emarat Foundation, for such an honour. Diabetes affects so many families and we as a family have experienced the impact of the condition too – and therefore this cause is very close to our heart. We started the Beat Diabetes Walk in 2009 to raise awareness of the condition and to educate the community on leading a healthy lifestyle despite the challenges.  The support we have received over the years from our partners and the participants in the Walk has been truly incredible.”

Launched under the framework of the Humanitarian Works Awards, this recognition is given to individuals and organisations that act as role models in fostering the culture of wellbeing through sports initiatives for the society at large.

Started in 2009 with an aim to spread awareness on the prevention and management of diabetes across GCC and India, the ‘Beat Diabetes Walk has grown to be one of the most significant events in the region’s health and wellness calendar. Through the initiative, Landmark Group conducts year-round programs, community events and media campaigns reaching over 20 million people annually. The initiative has even been taken to over 45 schools in the UAE.

Through the years, the initiative has raised over AED 3million, donated to Al Jalila Foundation towards diabetes care and research. Over half million free blood glucose tests have been conducted in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority and Emirates Diabetes Society.