JEDDAH — The Help Centers “Let’s Walk The Walk... 9” event went virtual this year with the participation of athletes with intellectual disabilities from all over the Middle East. Athletes from Morocco, Oman, Bahrain, Turkey, Egypt and many of the cities of Saudi Arabia such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Damman, Al Hasa, and Tarif took part.
The Help Center was keen on organizing this event, this year and annually to highlight the importance of sports and its positive effects socially, psychologically effects on them, and physically. This event in particular has built confidence in our athletes, allowing them to showcase their abilities and skills.
Due to the current world pandemic, and with reference to our social responsibility towards our athletes, the Help Center decided to host this event virtually, and give the chance to all persons with intellectual disabilities around the Arab world to take part.
Through the use of interactive sports’ Applications that help measure distances and time, the center was able to successfully launch this event, which took place between the Dec. 17 and 23, 2020.
According to Dr. Maha Juffali, director and supervising trustee of the Help Center, “organizing a virtual event of this size, and trying to reach as many athletes in the Arab world as we possible could, was no easy feat, but our team managed to pull of the impossible.”
About 800 participants joined the virtual event in 5 different categories based on age groups and health status. A live race, showcasing the star athletes and marking the closing of the event was held on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020.
This was possible with help from the municipality, and taking all precautions recommended by the MOH. In total, 27 athletes above 16 years of age competed in 2 km race at the Jeddah waterfront.
All participants were given participation medals, while the first three winning athletes were honored with a small awards ceremony at the corniche where the main race took place.
The male runners who completed in the 2,000m race in a record time respectively, were Ahmed Muqaddam from Dirat Ajdadi, Ahmed Hakim from Dirat Ajdadi, and Mahmoud Ghulam.
While the female runners who completed the 2000m race in a record time, respectively, were Rimas Al Bishri from the Help Center, Dhawya Al Subhi from Dirat Ajdadi, and Safiya Ba-Aqeel from Dirat Ajdadi.
The Help Center extended their thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this important first "virtual" race for persons with Intellectual Disabilities. — SG
