Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, announced today at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 Unified Summit that 22 new nations have signed up for the upcoming World Games, taking the total number of programs participating to its highest ever at 192.
As the UAE gears up to host the most unified Games in the 50-year history of Special Olympics, new programs have been established in 13 countries in Africa, five in Asia Pacific, two in the MENA region and two in North American countries.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is an integral part of a series of planned initiatives to expand opportunities for people of determination in line with Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s shared vision of a unified and inclusive society.
This commitment to empowering people of determination, coupled with hosting Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, has seen the UAE take an active role on a global stage to promote the power of sport to transform lives and its values around tolerance and humanitarian development.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Co-Operation, has been at the forefront of a large-scale initiative to encourage and support the development of Special Olympics in international locations where programs did not previously exist, broadening access to dedicated training and opportunities to showcase talent for people with intellectual disabilities.
Speaking at the Summit, today, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, said: “The UAE continues to be at the forefront of expanding inclusion and opportunity for people of determination throughout the region. So it is with great pleasure that I can announce that Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will set a new record for the number of participating countries, with 192 nations represented. This will truly be the most unified World Games in the history of Special Olympics.”
His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, said: “The UAE is committed to creating a more unified and inclusive world for all people of determination and the support of Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi has been pivotal in helping us to spread the message of the Special Olympics movement.
“Today’s announcement means that Special Olympics programs will now be accessible to thousands of people who may not have previously had access to sports opportunities. These opportunities will aid them in building courage and confidence, forging new friendships and experiencing joy. We look forward to empowering thousands of people of determination from every corner of the world and giving them the chance to shine and showcase sporting excellence on a global stage.”
In order to familiarize the newly accredited nations with the Special Olympics movement, the upcoming World Games and the Games’ host nation and its values of inclusion and tolerance, workshops were led by the LOC in Kenya and Fiji recently. As part of the workshops, participants learnt about intellectual disabilities, early childhood development, and the importance of how a family support network and sports can help transform lives.
Home to more than 200 nationalities, the UAE’s diverse society and culture of unity and warm hospitality are reassuring factors in making the journey to the World Games for the first time, enabling young and aspiring athletes with intellectual disabilities to enter an international competition and benefit from the enriching experiences to be gained from participation.
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, which takes place 14-21 March, will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world next year. More than 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches from more than 176 nations will compete in 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports.
22 nations:
- Africa
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Chad
- Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissae
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Mozambique
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Asia Pacific
- Nauru
- Solomon Islands
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
- Micronesia
- MENA
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- North America
- Barbados
- Antigua
