To celebrate the grand opening of the half-a-million dollar “Ben Weider Bodybuilding Gym” in Yemen, hundreds of distinguished guests including the Honorable Abel Raham El Akwaa,  representing the Minister of Sport and Youth Activities and Dr. Yehia El Choebi, a State Minister, attended a dedication ceremony of this country’s finest training facility. Also present were Mr. Abdulaziz N. Al-Kumain, ex-embassador of Yemen in Egypt, Mr. Mohamed R. Al-Surmi, first deputy of the capitol city of Sana'a, and Mr. Mohammed Zayed, general manager of sport activities for the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

Guests toured the 12,000-square-foot facility which houses spacious locker rooms, a wide variety of state-of-the-art cardiovascular training equipment to include elliptical machines, bikes and treadmills, and a considerable section of free weights and strength training machines.  There is also a scenic garden which will be great for relaxing after an intense workout.

Najeeb Mohamed Al-Jawfi is the proud owner of the gym and a member of one of the most prestigious families in Yemen.  For many years, Al-Jawfi has been a great supporter of sports, in particular bodybuilding.  He studied in Beirut, Lebanon and received a diploma as a physical education instructor in March 2000.  Looking to increase his bodybuilding knowledge, Al-Jawfi frequently attends many of the most prestigious IFBB competitions to including the Olympia, the Arnold Classic and Ironman and corresponds with many of the top competitors. 

Al-Jawfi decided to name his gym the "Ben Weider Bodybuilding Gym" as a tribute to
Ben Weider for his tremendous contributions to the worldwide bodybuilding movement and for providing the motivation necessary for millions of people to improve their physiques. “I am excited and proud to have the opportunity to open this new fitness facility and look forward to educating my members on the many benefits of exercise and a bodybuilding lifestyle,” commented Al-Jawfi.

Although he was unable to attend the opening ceremony, Weider requested that his dear friend of over 50 years, Mr. Malih Alaywan from Lebanon, go on his behalf and to say a few words on the positive impact the gym will have in Yemen. 

“I am extremely pleased and honored to be able to attend the grand opening of the “Ben Weider Bodybuilding Gym,” said Alaywan who is widely recognized as “The Father of Bodybuilding in the Arabic Countries” and the IFBB Vice President for the Middle East.   “This is one of the most sophisticated fitness facilities in all of the Middle East and on behalf of my dear friend, Ben Weider, I congratulate Najeeb Mohamed Al-Jawfi on this special day and truly believe his efforts will help promote and grow our sport here in Yemen,” commented Alaywan.
 
To promote the bodybuilding lifestyle and the benefits of physical activity, Alaywan will plan and organize bodybuilding seminars on a regular basis in Yemen.

“Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Mr. Najeeb Mohamed Al-Jawfi, Yeman now has a world class bodybuilding gym.  Due to his commitment and intense desire to succeed, I’m sure within a short amount of time, this facility will produce many Middle Eastern and world champions,” said Weider.

For more information on the Ben Weider Bodybuilding Gym in Yemen, please contact:

Mr. Najeeb Mohamed Al-Jawfi
Weider Gym and Fitness Center
Hadaa Street, P.O. Box 231
Sana’a, Yemen
Tel: + 967 1 514098
Mobil: 967 733 228 366
Fax: + 967 1 340659
E-mail:  Najeeb_alijawfi@yahoo.com

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Rob Wilkins is a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at the Pentagon, Washington, DC, Wilkins is also a Special Assistant to the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB) and a recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins, e-mail: him at robifbb@yahoo.com