United Arab Emirates, March 2020: UAE based technology start-up inphota launches time challenges to enable athletes to stay motivated, and provide the opportunity to challenge themselves in the wake of the postponement of major events.

The UAE has seen significant growth in attendance in the past year with a 64% increase in the number of people participating in sporting events. However, with a number of events postponed as a precautionary measure in response to the spread of COVID-19, athletes could begin to lose the motivation to exercise without a goal event to build towards.

With the impact of the virus unknown at this stage, an important question arises, how can event organizers continue to run mass participation events, and maintain growth, without risking the spread of COVID-19?

Having completed a research study of over 10,000 mass participation attendees inphota learned that the primary motivation factors for participants choosing to enter an event were:

  • Health Improvement (25%)
  • Enjoyment of race-day experience and course (15%)
  • Recognition and Rewards (9%)

As a result they have built time challenges to encourage event participants to complete a specified course during a given time period, with their efforts tracked digitally using their mobile phone or connected wearable device. Anyone who wishes to participate in the challenge can do so at a convenient time, with their completion time displayed on a leaderboard, allowing events to run, and rewards to be granted, without the need for large groups of individuals to congregate.

In developing time challenges, inphota’s aim is to provide event organizers with the tools to continue a program of activity for their customers, whilst respecting the guidance put in place by governing bodies in the UAE.

CEO and co-founder of inphota, Andrew Laity said:

“Since the formation of our business we have focused on developing products that connect live experiences to digital channels, and see the Time Challenges feature as a perfect extension of this offering.

Our aim for the product is to minimize the disruption of event postponements by providing a way to motivate UAE residents to continue improving their health by creating digital events that incorporate key aspects of a physical event experience. The time challenges provide an incentive to keep training by creating an opportunity for participants to test themselves on a specified course with their efforts being recognized and rewarded.”‍

The time challenges are an extension of the inphota event registration platform, meaning that athletes can collect reward points for inspire, the first program in the UAE to incentivize participation in sporting activity by providing rewards for attendance, completion, and self-improvement. The program provides motivation for athletes of all abilities by offering the chance to win incredible prizes and avail discounts by registering for events.

The inaugural challenges take place from the 17th March through to the 22nd March in partnership with UAE based event organizer Gulf Multi Sport. Combining inphota’s digital technology and Gulf Multi sports event organization expertise to deliver a program of events to help athletes to stay motivated in the coming weeks.

Time Challenges are free to enter. To view available virtual challenges and register to participate visit inphota.com/events

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