Rio Ferdinand and Dubai Sports Council launch an initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle in Dubai

English football star and former Manchester United club Rio Ferdinand, in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council, launched the “One Body” community sports initiative, at the “Jumeirah Beach” Hotel in Dubai at 6:30 am on Sunday, May 10, 2026, amid a lively sports atmosphere and broad community participation.
The initiative aims to enhance the spread of exercise in various areas of Dubai, and to encourage all segments of society to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, which contributes to raising the quality of life and promoting health and happiness.

The initiative includes free fitness classes open to the public, led by Rio Ferdinand and his wife, Kate Ferdinand, with the participation of an elite group of international sports stars, within a comprehensive interactive environment.

Rio Ferdinand said that launching the initiative from Dubai reflects its position as a global destination that embraces various cultures and brings together lovers of life and activity, stressing that sport represents an effective way to enhance physical and psychological health and confront the pressures of daily life. He added that the experience in the Emirates showed the existence of a diverse community that agrees to exercise as a healthy lifestyle.

For his part, Issa Sharif, Director of Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, confirmed that the initiative comes within the “Sports for All” strategy, which aims to establish physical activity as part of daily life. He explained that the Council is keen to organize open community events that facilitate the access of sports to all groups without exception, while attracting international stars to provide inspiring role models.

He pointed out that the “One Body” initiative provides an interactive environment that brings the public together with professional athletes, and contributes to enhancing public health and quality of life, stressing that the Council will continue to develop similar initiatives during the coming period.

Kate Ferdinand also expressed her happiness at participating in the initiative, noting the importance of balancing physical and mental health through exercise, which her own platform seeks to support.