Sports

Saudi Arabia to send big delegation to Special Olympics

March 05, 2019

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Special Olympics team, comprising 50 athletes, will represent the country in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, set to take place in Abu Dhabi on March 14-21.

A delegation of 84 members, including representatives from Special Olympics Saudi Arabia, doctors, and coaches will also attend. More than 200 Saudi volunteers will also work alongside other volunteers from around the world to support the teams’ participation and the delivery of the Games.

At the World Games, Saudi athletes will compete in 10 sports: basketball, bocce, athletics, powerlifting, roller skating, swimming, triathlon, table tennis, bowling and Unified Sports. The athletes are currently training in Jeddah and Al-Ain.

Commenting on her participation in the World Games, Samia Zakir Siddiq, a 30-year-old basketball player from Jeddah, said, “I have been playing basketball since I was very young, and although winning feels good, taking part is an achievement by itself. I’m very proud to represent my country, and I’m honored to be part of the Saudi national team.”

The seven-day competition in Abu Dhabi will see 7,000 athletes from 192 nations compete in 24 sports at the Special Olympics World Games. More than 500,000 spectators are expected to cheer the athletes throughout the Games.

Special Olympics Saudi Arabia aims to recognise the athletic capability of all members of Saudi society, providing a platform of enablement and support for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

It is responsible for bringing the entire universe of Special Olympics to Saudi Arabia, including sports participation, equity, healthcare, social inclusion, and more, with the ambition of creating a stronger future for the Kingdom in which all members can proudly participate. — SG


March 05, 2019
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