Over 30 public and private schools in Abu Dhabi have formed fan clubs to support athletes competing in the Special Olympics IX MENA Games, coming to Abu Dhabi from 14th March this year. The MENA Games are a prelude to the Special Olympics World Games, which come to Abu Dhabi in March 2019. The World Games are the largest humanitarian event in the World, with over 7000 athletes from over 170 nations expected to compete. The mission of Special Olympics is to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, through the joy of sports.
The ‘Adopt a Nation’ programme has been rolled out as a platform to engage students with the Special Olympics by promoting the study of the values and cultures of the nations competing in the IX MENA Games. Each school adopts a competing nation to study, which culminates in them cheering on their nation at the Games. The programme aims to leave a lasting legacy of diversity and inclusion in schools, whilst also providing lots of enthusiastic fans to cheer on the amazing athletes coming to Abu Dhabi.
The initiative is designed to engage the whole school, as well as the children who are typically sporty. This is achieved by integrating various aspects of the adopted nation into the school curriculum, including arts and crafts, technology and music. Schools have further embraced the movement by participating in Play Unified sports activities by hosting sports matches for their students in teams including people of determination with intellectual disabilities.
The programme will be growing from April onwards and will look to involve over 150 schools. If you’re not already involved, stand by for the Special Olympics coming to your school soon!
What is the Special Olympics IX MENA Games Abu Dhabi 2018?
Special Olympics IX MENA Games Abu Dhabi 2018 will take place in Abu Dhabi from March 14- 23 2018, ahead of the national games next year. Nearly 1,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and abilities will come together from across the region to compete in 16 sports.
Both the Special Olympics IX MENA Games Abu Dhabi 2018 and the Special Olympic World Games 2019 support the UAE’s vision for inclusion and full integration of people with disabilities into every facet of society, and further underpin the nation’s leadership and commitment to this area for the world to follow.
“The UAE’s hosting of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games reflects the world’s confidence in UAE’s capabilities, youth, and humanitarian image. We welcome the world’s best athletes to the UAE and congratulate the Special Olympics leadership on promoting inclusion and tolerance through sport”, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi & Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
What does it mean for the athletes?
For the athletes taking part, not only are the Special Olympics IX MENA Games Abu Dhabi 2018 an arena for them to test their skills against the world’s best, but they are a catalyst to enable them to reach their full potential, achieve greater social inclusion, and generally improve their lives.
“I’m a professional runner and sprinter in the Special Olympics. I became interested in running in grade 1, when I was 7 years old”, explains Hamda Ali Al Hosani, 29, sprinter and gold medalist. “My mother encouraged me to start running and encouraged me to join the Special Olympics UAE. Joining the Special Olympics and trying new sports gave me confidence, and I’d like to encourage everyone with disabilities try more activities that boost their confidence too. In the Middle East, people look at disabilities as a bad thing, but I want to change that negative perception”
Hamda Ali Al Hosani has won 15 medals in sprinting throughout her career, having competed internationally against the world’s best Paralympic athletes.
