Special Olympics UAE Organizes UAE Games With Nationwide Participation From People Of Determination Clubs And Schools

At a press conference, held today at the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi, Special Olympics UAE unveiled the inaugural UAE Games, which will see the participation of more than 1,000 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, students of determination, unified partners, coaches and technical staff, and supervisory teams.

The UAE Games comprises two flagship events; the first is the Unified Schools UAE Games, which will include football and badminton for boys and girls, in various age categories, and will be organized on May 21 and 22, with the participation of 400 students. The second event is the UAE Games for People of Determination’s clubs and centers, which will be held from June 7 till 10, and will include competitions in six sports: badminton, basketball, bowling, football, e-sports, and powerlifting. This event will witness the participation of more than 600 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities from across the UAE, along with their coaches and other technical and supervisory teams. Both events will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).

The UAE Games is organized in close collaboration with several sports federations, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dubai Sports Council and Sharjah Sports Council.

His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE and Chairman of the UAE Games Organizing Committee, commented that the inaugural Games builds on the enduring legacy of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, saying“In line with the vision of our wise leadership that recognizes the importance of making sustainable efforts to empower People of Determination, and provide them with all tools and means to fulfill their aspirations, we are delighted to announce the organization of the first ever UAE Games.”

“We are keen to apply best international practices and provide a platform for athletes with developmental and intellectual challenges to demonstrate their abilities and compete in a positive and empowering environment, that allows them to communicate and form friendships. Additionally, the Games will enable Special Olympics UAE to assess athletes’ and use the insights generated for future planning and development plans, that Special Olympics UAE will collaborate with the People of Determination’s clubs and centres on executing in the future.” He concluded.

The UAE Games will bring together all People of Determination’s clubs and centers to celebrate the powers of inclusive sports, including the Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination, Al Ain Club for People of Determination, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled, Ajman Club for People of Determination, Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination, Khor Fakkan Club for the Disabled, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Dubai Center for People of Determination, Fujairah Center for People of Determination, and Dibba Center for People of Determination.

Other community organizations and groups that will participate in the UAE Games include, Heroes of Hope, Emirates Down Syndrome Association, Al Noor Center for People with Disabilities, and other centers affiliated with the Zayed Higher Organization in Abu Dhabi.

To maximize community engagement and participation, several complementary sports and health activities will be organized by Special Olympics UAE and its partners to coincide with the UAE Games, these include athletes’ health screenings, part of Special Olympics UAE’s Healthy Athletes Program, and that are sponsored by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and delivered in partnership with Apollonia Dental Center, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHAand Samaya Specialized Hospital.

Recreational sports activities, organized for unified partners and members of the community, to foster wider community participation will include football and basketball, organized by Zayed Higher Organization and Jam Academy.

The staging of the UAE Games is a multi-stakeholder effort, led by Special Olympics UAE and coordinated with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the UAE Marshals Program, and the Emirates SchoolsEstablishment.

The UAE Games is supported by ADNOC, sponsor of the Special Olympics UAE Health Program, Aldar Properties, sponsor of the recreational basketball events, and the Integrated Transport Centre – Department of Municipalities and Transport, which provided transportation and logistical support.

Additional specialized services and support were provided by the Professional Communications Corporation “Nedaa”, the UAE Badminton Federation, and the Emirates Body Building Federation.