First Special Olympics Gulf Badminton Competition Concludes In Abu Dhabi

The inaugural Special Olympics Gulf Badminton Competition - Abu Dhabi 2024, concluded with an awarding ceremony, held at Khalifa University. The event, held between May 9 to 12, was organised as a collaboration between Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa and Special Olympics UAE. Abdullah Al Nubi, Special Olympics Oman, secured the gold medal in the men’s competition in Division One; Hassan Ali Al Blooshi, Special Olympics UAE, secured the gold medal in Division Two, while Mahmoud Ghaloum, Special Olympics Bahrain, topped Division Three. In the women’s competition, Shahad Abdullah, Special Olympics Saudi Arabia, won gold medal in Division One, while Sheikha Al-Hindi, Special Olympics Kuwait and Zakia Ahmed Abbas, Special Olympics UAE, secured the gold across Division Two and Three, respectively. In the double’s competitions, Abdullah Al Noubi and Fawaz Faraj, Special Olympics Oman, won gold for Division One, while Hassan Ali Al Blooshi and Zayed Ali Al Kaabi, Special Olympics UAE topped Division Two. In the women's doubles competition, Zakia Ahmed Abbas and Zuleikha Ghareeb Al Mansouri, Special Olympics UAE, took the gold.

Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of the SOUAE, expressed pride in hosting six Special Olympics delegations from across the Gulf for this first-time event. "We were pleased to host six Special Olympics delegations from across the Gulf and feel proud of the success achieved by the Special Olympics Gulf badminton competition," he stated. Al Hashemi also extended his congratulations to all medal winners and highlighted the importance of determination and persistence in achieving success.

Al Hashemi further thanked all partners of Special Olympics UAE for their contribution to the event's success. He specifically mentioned the support from Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa, the World Badminton Federation and the Emirates Badminton Federation, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Khalifa University. "We look forward to more competitions that contribute to the inclusion of PODs into their communities and promote sports in general," he added.

Delegations from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE participated in this landmark competition. The event not only showcased athletic prowess but also fostered a spirit of inclusion and community among participants.

The closing ceremony saw Mohammed Al Nuaimi, member of the Board of Trustees of the Special Olympics UAE honoring the winners. Looking ahead, Special Olympics UAE is gearing up for another significant event: the next World Winter Games set to be hosted in Turin, Italy from March 8 to 16, 2025. This upcoming global event will feature more than 2,500 men and women athletes from around the world competing in various winter sports.

With inputs from WAM