Newark, NJ - October 16, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Melvin Waldrop announced today that the City of Newark will offer the Inaugural NBA FIT/WNBA FIT Challenge to Newark youth ages 7 through 14 at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, on Saturday, October 24, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Center is located at 211 West Kinney Street (with the entrance on Howard Street), and the Challenge is FREE. Winners of the challenge will have an opportunity to compete in regional events that could lead to a trip to play in the National Fit Challenge at the NBA 2010 All-Star Game in Dallas.

The goal of the NBA FIT/WNBA FIT challenge, sponsored by SINGULAIR, (montelukast sodium) is to provide children across the City the opportunity to participate in an exciting fitness competition. It also is intended to encourage active participation and emphasize the “fun” element of fitness and physical activity. Boys and girls aged 7 through 14 will have a chance to compete while emphasizing the importance and value of a physically active lifestyle. SINGULAIR is a product of Merck & Co, Inc.

“The Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs has launched numerous initiatives and partnerships to provide our youth with programs and competitions that enable them to manifest their personal excellence and develop the physical strength and mental discipline so they can live productive and happy lives. I urge all Newark residents ages 7 through 14 to join us at John F. Kennedy Recreation Center on October 24 for this skills competition,” said Mayor Booker.

Children who want to participate in the competition must present a valid birth certificate or other proof of age. Advance registration is not necessary. Participants will go through a time-based fitness course that includes line sprints, jump rope, speed revolutions, wall passes, and defensive shuffles.

“This challenge will engage and empower youth from across the City in a basketball challenge that will strengthen their minds and bodies,” said Director Waldrop. “I congratulate our entire Recreation team on supporting this program.”

“As a professional athlete, I know how important it is to take care of your body through exercise and proper nutrition,” said Charlotte Bobcats player and NBA FIT Challenge Ambassador Tyson Chandler. “The NBA FIT/WNBA FIT Challenge is a great way to motivate young people nationwide and have some fun while teaching them about the role that physical fitness plays in our overall health and well-being.”

The local champion in each age and gender group will have the chance to advance to their city’s regional competition. The top two participants in each age and gender group across all regional competitions - a total of eight boys and eight girls - will receive an all-expense paid trip to NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas, where they will compete in the NBA FIT/WNBA FIT Challenge National Finals at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas. The entire group will be treated to an unforgettable weekend, including a VIP experience at the 59th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

“The NBA FIT/WNBA FIT Challenge underscores our commitment to health and wellness,” said NBA Executive Vice President for Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathleen Behrens. “Through this exciting program, young boys and girls can challenge themselves, have fun, and learn the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.”

“We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the NBA and WNBA to support health and wellness among the youth of America-this year with the inaugural NBA Fit/WNBA Fit Challenge,” said Kevin Ali, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Bone, Respiratory, Endocrine and Immunology Franchise, Global Human Health, Merck & Co., Inc. “This program helps demonstrate what it takes to stay fit and healthy by providing children with an opportunity to compete in fun, physical activities in a safe environment.”

Recreation has been a major priority for the Booker administration. Under his leadership, each of the City’s recreation centers has had a comprehensive rehabilitation. After millions of dollars of capital investment, every city Recreation facility and pool has been successfully upgraded and is now open for expanded programs and community use. In addition, City programming at recreation centers has been thoroughly enriched. Residents can now access a full catalogue of recreation and cultural programs and services.

The John F. Kennedy Recreation and Aquatic Center is the City’s largest such facility, offering Newark residents of all ages a wide variety of daily recreation, exercise, and swimming programs. The facility features a multi-purpose exercise room, an NBA-regulation size basketball court, a state-of-the-art weight room and the only indoor/ outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool in the State equipped with a retractable roof.

The John F. Kennedy Recreation and Aquatic Center has hosted numerous events, including the 2002 U.S. Youth Games Swimming competition, professional wrestling matches, a variety of exercise classes, amateur boxing bouts, basketball tournaments and other community functions.

For more information on the NBA FIT/WNBA FIT Challenge, contact the Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs, Tia D. Montigue at (973) 733-6456. For information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.
                     E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

About NBA FIT
NBA FIT, a program of NBA Cares, is the league's comprehensive health and wellness platform designed to show kids, adults, and families how to have fun while staying active.  Through programs, events and products, NBA FIT provides children and families with activities, tips, and tools that encourage and support a healthy lifestyle.  During the 2009-10 season, more than one million kids, adults, and families will Pledge NBA FIT.  To learn more about NBA FIT, go to www.nba.com/nbafit.

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