- Special Olympics UAE secures a historic gold medal at the first-ever Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup in San Juan 2025.
- The Cup brought together 20 men’s teams and 18 women’s teams from around the world.
- UAE delegation included three athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and two Unified partners.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 8, 2025: Special Olympics UAE achieved a historic milestone after the Unified 3×3 Basketball Team claimed the gold medal at the first-ever Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The team delivered strong performances throughout the competition and secured a well-deserved victory in the final match against Chinese Taipei.
The Cup took place between December 5-8 and featured 20 men’s teams and 18 women’s teams, which comprise Special Olympics athletes and their Unified partners. Special Olympics UAE participated with a delegation of three athletes, two Unified partners, and the accompanying coaching and administrative staff.
His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director, Special Olympics UAE, said: “We celebrate today an outstanding achievement that reflects the team’s hard work and commitment. Our athletes showed great determination and represented the UAE with pride. We are honored to dedicate this accomplishment to His Highness the President of the UAE, whose support has created an inclusive environment that empowers People of Determination to succeed. This victory is the result of teamwork between the athletes, coaches, staff, and our partners, and is an important step forward for the development of inclusive sports in the UAE.”
Athlete Abdullah Al Diwani, from the Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination under Zayed Authority for People of Determination, expressed his excitement, saying: “I am very happy to take part in the Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup and proud to represent Special Olympics UAE. The matches were challenging, but our teamwork helped us achieve great results. Competing in this global event has been a special experience, and I hope we continue making the UAE proud.”
Unified partner Khalid Al Shehhi, from Al Wahda Sports Club, added: “I am very proud to be part of the Special Olympics UAE team as a Unified partner and to represent the UAE for the first time in this World Cup. I thank Special Olympics UAE for the opportunity, and I thank my teammates for their high spirit and strong performance. The Cup in Puerto Rico was very well organized, and the level of competition was impressive. It is an experience I will never forget, and I am grateful to have shared the podium with my teammates.”
The team returns to the UAE carrying the first global title in this category, marking an important moment for the nation and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in promoting inclusion and supporting People of Determination.
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Editor’s Note
The UAE delegation to Puerto Rico for the Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup consisted of the below nine members:
- Amr Badawi – Head of Delegation
- Surur Saeed – Deputy Head of Delegation
- Dr. Naji Al Mustakaa – Team Doctor
- Mounir Ben Al Habib Ben Suleiman – Coach
- Abdullah Al Diwani – Athlete
- Ali Saif bin Sumaidaa – Athlete
- Zayed Al Kaabi – Athlete
- Zayed Shahin – Unified Partner
- Khalid Al Shehhi – Unified Partner
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.
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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