The third Zayed Charity Marathon, named after the founder of the UAE, will be held in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Friday, 16th December, to raise funds for hepatitis patients, Juma Mubarak Al Jenaibi, the UAE Ambassador to Egypt, announced today.

Holding the event is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. It reflects his interest in supporting humanitarian initiatives to help others, Ambassador Al Jenaibi, who is also the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the Arab League, said in the presence of Emirati and Egyptian officials.

"This marathon is a sports and humanitarian event that is a source of pride for all of us because it reflects all the noble values upheld by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, founding father of the UAE, who laid the foundation for generous giving and charity initiatives around the globe," he said.

The support being extended to humanitarian and charity initiatives also reflects a culture of giving and an approach to peace being pursued by the UAE, he added.

"The event is proof that sports can be an effective tool in spreading peace, rapprochement and love among all the people of the world, as well as supporting patients and encouraging the community to take initiative and uphold noble values. It is a message of love and benevolence from the UAE to the entire world," Al Jenaibi said.

The marathon, he noted, is a qualitative addition to efforts in bolstering the unique relations between the UAE and Egypt.

"Relations between the two countries are growing," the UAE ambassador said.

Egyptian Minster of Youth and Sports Khaled Abdel-Aziz said all Egyptians take an interest in the marathon, which will attract about 25,000 people.