ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia Special Olympics athletes increased the team’s total medal count to 18 on day three of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.
The team won four golds, one silver, and three bronze medals Sunday.
In the bocce men’s singles event, Rayid Al-Oufi won gold and Khaled Al-Rowaile took bronze.
Hissah Al-Quruni claimed silver and Faya Al-Mubarrizi won bronze in the bowling women’s singles event.
In table tennis, Fares Al-Mateq clinched gold.
Saudi Arabia’s Heba Shawli won gold in the 25m run; Bashayr Sawwaf took bronze in the 50m, and Mohammed Al-Refai bagged gold in 200m.
Mohammed Al-Refai said: “It is an honor to win for my country. From the beginning all I wanted to do was raise the flag for my country at Special Olympics, and I have achieved that. I am so proud to win gold, and want to thank my family and Special Olympics Saudi Arabia Federation for their support.”
The women’s unified basketball team continued its undefeated streak with two more wins — 19-11 against Cote D’Ivoire, and 16-10 against Kuwait. In its game against Cote D’Ivoire, the Saudi Arabia men’s team put in a strong effort but was just beaten, with a final score of 32-36.
As the largest team ever to represent Saudi Arabia at Special Olympics World Games, 50 athletes — 21 female and 29 male — will participate in 10 disciplines, including basketball, bocce, athletics, powerlifting, roller skating, swimming, triathlon, table tennis, bowling and unified sports.
The athletes are accompanied by a delegation including representatives from Special Olympics Saudi Arabia Federation (SOSAF), coaches, and healthcare professionals, as well as their family and more than 200 volunteers from Saudi Arabia. The World Games have more than 7,500 athletes from 192 nations, competing in 24 sports events.
Following the World Games 2019, Saudi Arabia Special Olympics Federation will continue to support Special Olympics athletes through a comprehensive ecosystem of programs, including athletics and physical activity coaching, healthcare, and more. — SG
