Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed commends Special Olympics UAE Athletes

• Special Olympics UAE concludes successful Inaugural UAE Games, held between June 7 and 10 at ADNEC
• Strong competition for medals and top spots, among People of Determination clubs and centers, in badminton, basketball, bowling, football, electronic sports, and powerlifting.
• Former UAE national football team stars, Subait Khater, Bashir Saeed, Abdul Rahim Juma, and Faisal Khalil, played a unified football match in support of Special Olympics UAE athletes.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June 11, 2024

The inaugural Special Olympics UAE Games were concluded at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event was held in two phases: on May 21 and 22 for unified schools with the participation of 400 athletes, and from June 7 to 10 with the participation of 600 athletes from People of Determination clubs and centers across the UAE.

The medal awarding ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General, the General Authority of Sports, H.E Talal Al Hashemi, National Director, Special Olympics UAE, President of the Organizing Committee of the Special Olympics UAE Games, H.E. Ayman Abdel Wahab

Regional President & Managing Director, Middle East/North African region, H.E Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs, Department of Community Development, the participating teams from all the emirates, and Special Olympics UAE athletes.

Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Honorary Chair of Special Olympics UAE, Special Olympics UAE, said: “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Special Olympics UAE’s champions from across all the emirates. To them I say, we are proud of you and your achievements. We are thankful to your families, coaches, and clubs for their unwavering efforts, and their collaboration with Special Olympics UAE’s partners to provide the best support that you deserve. We will work together to achieve the vision of our wise leadership of building a better and inclusive future for all.”

Officials and participants expressed great pride at the successful organization of the Special Olympics UAE Games, which demonstrated the power of sport and its ability to deepen friendships and achieve inclusion, in a way that befits the reputation of the UAE and brings to life the vision of its leadership for empowering People of Determination with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

At the UAE Games, the Special Olympics UAE honored H.E. Muhammed Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Protocol and Strategic Narrative, for his pivotal role in supporting People of Determination with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Special Olympics UAE also signed 11 agreements with several sports federations and health organizations during the Games, which also witnessed the launch of the Abu Dhabi Determination Cycling Team, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club.

The UAE Games garnered wider sports community support. Emirati football sensation, Ismail Matar, was named as a Special Olympics UAE Games ambassador. Additionally, former UAE national football team players, Subait Khater, Bashir Saeed, Abdul Rahim Jumaa, and Faisal Khalil, participated in a unified football match to support Special Olympics UAE athletes.

The UAE Games has received nationwide support from key local organizations including: ADNOC; strategic health sponsor, Aldar Properties; sponsoring the low abilities activation, the Abu Dhabi Police, Integrated Transportation Centre; key transportation provider, Nedaa; logistics service provider, UAE Badminton Federation; providing badminton courts for the Games, Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation; providing sports equipment, as well as key health partners, such as Appolonia Dentistry for Children, and SEHA, who are contributing to the Healthy Athletes screenings. This is in addition to entities who have made significant contributions on an organizational level, such as Emirati Marshalls, who are providing volunteer support on the ground.

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About Special Olympics UAE:

In October 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced Special Olympics UAE as an independent organization dedicated to changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Her Highness Sheikha Mariam Bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was appointed as the Honorary President, and Her Excellency Shamma Bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

The organization aims to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports while providing them with leadership opportunities to help them display their talents and integrate them with mainstream society.

Special Olympics UAE has launched a variety of community programs, including those focused on families and young athletes. It has also introduced a number of initiatives to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create a more inclusive society.

The Special Olympics of the UAE received international recognition from the International Special Olympics Foundation-USA in December 2017. 

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