*   The UAE secured second place at the first edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships  held in the Sultanate of Oman, with the participation of 23 countries.

*  Special Olympics UAE represented the nation as the largest delegation from the MENA region to compete in the Intellectual Impairment (ILCA 6) event, reaffirming the UAE’s leadership in inclusive sports.

*  Athlete Marwan Salloum earned second place globally in the ILCA category, alongside strong performances from the rest of the team.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 11 December 2025: The Special Olympics UAE delegation achieved a significant global milestoneat the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships securing second place in the global standings.Heldin the Sultanate of Oman from 3 to 8 December 2025, the event hosted 23 participating countries from around the world.

Special Olympics UAEproudly represented the nation as largest delegation from the MENA regionto participate in the intellectual impairment category, underscoring the UAE’s regional leadership in promoting inclusion and expanding opportunities for People of Determination in international sports eventsand competitions.

His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, Special Olympics UAE National Director, said: “This achievement in Oman marks an important milestone in our national journey to expand inclusive sailing across the UAE. This result reflectsthe dedication and remarkable spiritof our athletes throughout the year, and the unwavering support of our wise leadership, whose trust enabled our athletes to compete with confidence on the world stage.”

He added: “Sailing and maritime sports are deeply rooted in the UAE’s identity, shaped by the geographical character of our nation, rich in coastlines and waterways. This drives us to continueexpandingthese opportunities within the Special Olympics UAE community, ensuring more athletes are able to participate and grow. We are committed to buildingand maintaining sustainable training pathwaysthat will strengthen our presence in future competitions and further elevate the UAE’s standing in these wonderful events”.

First official World Championship to feature this range of diverse categories

The Sultanate of Oman hosted the inaugural World Sailing Inclusion Championships for PeopleofDetermination from 3 to 8 December. The championship brought together 250 athletes, competing across a diverse range of events, making it the first official global championship held under the supervision of World Sailing to include such a wide range of competition categories. The list of events included individual categories for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as non-technical classifications, as well as the newly introduced Seated Wingfoil discipline.

In addition, the event incorporated the World Para Sailing Championships, featuring open doublehanded competitions and sailing races for athletes with visual impairments supported by sighted crew members. This pioneering championship opened new avenues for inclusion within marine sports, strengthened the concept of inclusive sailing, and expanded opportunities for athletes of determination on the international stage.

Outstanding Performance by Special Olympics UAE Athletes

Special Olympics UAE athlete Marwan Salloum delivered an exceptional performance in the ILCA category, securing second place in the global standings after winning his final race. This remarkable achievement serves as another significant milestone in the UAE’s growing prominence in marine sports. Athlete Omar Al Hammadi also placed fifth in the same race, while Mohammed Al Zubaidi and his Unified partner Mohammed Al Owais finished 24th globally in the RS Venture Mixed category, competing against Paralympic-level sailors and topping their classification for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Speaking about his participation, Marwan Salloum, who trains at the Dubai Club for People of Determination, said:”I am very proud to compete in theWorld Championships and to achieve second place globally. The competition was incredibly strong, but with the support and guidance of my coach, we were able to secure this result and represent the UAE and Special Olympics UAE in the best possible way.”

A Strong Finish to a Year Full of Achievements

The year 2025 witnessed a remarkable series of accomplishments for Special Olympics UAE, reinforcing the nation’s global standing in inclusivesports. At the Special Olympics World Winter Games – Turin 2025, the UAE delegation earned 16 medals, marking the strongest regional performance since the Abu Dhabi World Games in 2019. The Unified Women’s Volleyball Team also claimed their title as World Champions at the inaugural World Cup in Katowice, Poland, while the equestrian team continued their success at the Regional Equestrian Championship , Al Ain 2025 with a total of 16 medals across various disciplines. In addition, 72 athletes took part in the Special Olympics x Topgolf Virtual International Championship, an initiative that advances innovation and broadens participation through technology-driven engagement.

The year concluded with two major global achievements: winning the gold medal at the Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup in Puerto Rico, and securing the silver medal at the World Inclusive Sailing Championship 2025 in Oman. Together, these successes reaffirm the UAE’s leadership in empowering People of Determination and strengthening their presence on the world’s most prominent sporting stages.

END

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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