Emirati athletes are getting ready to showcase their skills and strive for success at the Special Olympics World Games, following a joyful opening ceremony held over the weekend. By building on its successful hosting of the international event in Abu Dhabi four years ago, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to make a lasting impact on the global stage.
Poised to excel in various sporting disciplines, the UAE has a delegation of 167 members, the largest from the MENA region, including 72 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as technical, medical, and administrative staff.
Originating in Chicago in 1968, the Special Olympics has evolved into a worldwide celebration of unity, inclusivity, equality, and diversity. During the opening ceremony at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday, athletes from around the globe actively showcased this spirit by participating in a vibrant parade. The organizers requested each country’s representatives to bring water from their homeland to contribute to the Special Olympics River, symbolizing international harmony.
Emirati Athletes Ready to Excel at Special Olympics World Games
Ghanem Al-Maamari, a competitor from the UAE, proudly carried water collected from Al-Ain Oasis. Over the course of the event, the UAE team will compete in 20 sports across 17 locations throughout the German capital. Swimming, badminton, bowling, athletics, beach volleyball, basketball, cycling, equestrian, and powerlifting are among the sports in which Emirati athletes will represent their country and strive for podium positions.
“We are ready for the games, especially after the extensive preparations and training camps we held throughout the year,” said Talal Al Hashemi, national director of Special Olympics UAE.”
“We are delighted to be representing the UAE on a global stage, and spread its message of inclusion, dedication, and tolerance, which is the legacy of the World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.”
Special Olympics UAE adopted the slogan “The Road to Berlin” in its preparations for the Games.
The journey of UAE athletes towards the Special Olympics World Games started earlier this year, marked by a series of training camps held both domestically and internationally. In January, the Women’s Unified Football Team embarked on a week-long training camp in Japan, further honing their skills and preparing for the upcoming competition.
President Sheikh Mohamed’s Generous Pledge to Support Inclusive Education
With participation from over 7,000 athletes with disabilities representing 190 countries, the Games promise to be a truly global event. Scheduled to conclude on June 25, the competition will provide a platform for athletes from diverse backgrounds to showcase their abilities and demonstrate the power of inclusivity.
The UAE has actively championed the values of equality and inclusiveness through its hosting of the Special Olympics in 2019, leaving a lasting legacy. In 2021, Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace held a notable exhibition, demonstrating this commitment. Titled “A Journey of Determination,” the exhibition shed light on the transformative impact the 2019 global sporting event had on the lives of individuals. It shared inspiring stories that highlighted the positive changes brought about by the Games.
In 2020, President Sheikh Mohamed, who was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the time, made a significant pledge of $25 million. The funds were directed towards supporting the global expansion of an inclusive education project led by the Special Olympics movement.
This generous pledge aimed to empower the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools initiative, which continues to improve lives worldwide by promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, according to The National News.
