• A delegation of 20 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilitieswill compete in five sports: swimming, table tennis, athletics, football, and bocce.
• Special Olympics UAE athletes perpared for the Games in a training camp in Al Ain earlier this month.
• This participation highlights the strong partnership between Special Olympics UAE and Special Olympics Malta.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, September 11, 2024: ASpecial Olympics UAE delegationdeparted on Tuesday to participate in the Special Olympics Malta National Games 2024, held from September 12 to 15, 2024. The UAE delegation will compete in five sports: swimming, table tennis, athletics, football, and bocce.

The delegation includes 20 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, accompanied by almost a dozen coaches, medicalprofessionals and administrative team members. The athletes were selected from various People of Determination clubs across the UAE, including the Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination, the Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled, the Dubai Club for People of Determination,the Al Ain Club for People of Determination, and the Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled.

 “We maintain a close relationship with Special Olympics Malta and are always delighted to participate in sporting events alongside them, whether in Malta or the UAE,” said His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, the National Director of Special Olympics UAE.

In February 2024, Special Olympics UAE welcomed a delegation of 15 Maltese athletes who participated in a joint training camp in Al Ain, supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

“We believe that any international participation we undertake supports the inclusion and empowerment of our athletes, broadens their horizons, and builds on our significant success from the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.”

“We are proud of the tremendous effort made by the athletes at the Al Ain camp to prepare, as well as the dedication of our coaches and organizers. We look forward to them representing the UAE with pride at the Malta National Games 2024,” His Excellency added.

“As an international movement, Special Olympics is dedicated to making our world more inclusive through the power of sports,” said Anna Calìa, National Director, Special Olympics Malta.

“The strong relationship and enduring friendship between SO Malta and SO UAE highlight that our mission thrives when we unite and remain determined irrispective of the barriers and challenges we face.”

Special Olympics UAE had participated in the Malta Invitational Games for the first time in 2022.

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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 Maryam 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 several 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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