The UAE Sports Federations confirmed on Thursday their full support for the two upcoming Special Olympics which are set to be held in Au Dhabi.
This year will see the IX MENA Games 2018 take place during March, when more than 1,200 athletes from 33 countries will converge on the UAE
The following year, the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will see the biggest humanitarian sporting event in the world coming to the Emirati Capital, marking its first debut in the history of the MENA region, as 7,000 participants from 170 countries will arrive for the event.
The games will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
A memorandum of understanding was signed at a ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council on Thursday in the presence of Major General Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and President of the General Authority of Sport, H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the High Committee of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, as well as senior executives from various sports federations, government institutions and a number of dignitaries.
“We are blessed to be part of this great nation, guided by our wise leadership who constantly encourage us to promote the values of unity, compassion and inclusiveness amongst all members of society. This signing today comes in line with our dedication to humanitarian action, driven by the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for the UAE to play a leading role in spreading peace and harmony around the world”, Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi, said.
“Abu Dhabi hosting these international humanitarian events will undoubtedly empower both the sports sectors in the country and our talented athletes of determination, as it will showcase their talents and skills and highlight the importance of their seamless integration into society,” he added.
The memorandum outlines the grounds for effective co-operation between UAE Sports Federations and the Special Olympics, which will include providing services for all sports of Special Olympics, including technical staff and referees; as well as providing full care for the thousands of athletes coming to Abu Dhabi for the two games.
