The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) honored, today, the Special Olympics’ Eternal Flame of Hope, at a Torch Ceremony organized by ADNOC at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, ahead of the flame embarking on its tour of the UAE, held under the patronage of Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
The Flame of Hope was transported to the Founder’s Memorial by officers of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) after it arrived at Abu Dhabi Sailing Club in a convoy of 12 boats.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Vice President of Abu Dhabi International Marina Sports Club, was at the forefront of the parade heading towards the Founder’s Memorial, where H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, together with thousands of ADNOC employees, welcomed the Torch Run team at the Founder’s Memorial. The Torch Ceremony began with the lighting of the Eternal Flame of Hope torch by a Special Olympic athlete.
At the end of the ceremony, the Eternal Flame of Hope was transported to Fujairah for the first leg of a tour that will feature stops at every Emirate in the UAE. The flame arrived in Abu Dhabi on an Etihad Airways flight from Athens on February 28, 2019.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: “Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 reflects the values of inclusion, coexistence, and humanity that are embedded in the very core of the UAE. Hosting the games in the Year of Tolerance reinforces the UAE’s ethos of active inclusiveness and our wise Leadership’s vision to build a society where people of all cultures and abilities are welcomed and celebrated.
“ADNOC is proud to support the Special Olympics movement that is empowering People of Determination through the transformative power of sports. As the Eternal Flame of Hope begins its tour of the UAE, we at ADNOC stand unified and committed to continue enabling social progress and helping our nation build a more inclusive society.”
Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior, stressed that all ministries, government agencies and national institutions are actively engaged in the effort to ensure the success of this international event. He noted that the Flame of Hope Torch Run is the last event in the run-up to the World Games, emphasizing the keenness of all concerned to make this global humanitarian event a success.
Al Raisi extended his thanks to ADNOC, praising its unrelenting commitment to support events and activities hosted by the UAE. “This reflects the keenness of all entities to enhance the reputation of the UAE and highlight its ongoing efforts to support humanitarian action and nurture closer international cooperation for the good of mankind,” he continued.
Ahead of the Torch Ceremony, over 3,500 ADNOC employees walked in unity at a Torch Relay organized by ADNOC to raise awareness of the Special Olympics movement and reinforce ADNOC’s support for the event. The relay started at the ADNOC Onshore Headquarters and ended at the Founder’s Memorial.
Khalfan Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, said: “A symbol of tolerance and unity that echoes the fundamental principles of the UAE, the Flame of Hope is a beacon that lights a path forward for a more inclusive world. As we prepare to welcome athletes from more than 190 nations to the UAE for the World Games, the Law Enforcement Torch Run that begins in Fujairah tomorrow will spread this vital message to every corner of the country so that communities throughout the Emirates will be able to show their full support of People of Determination and the shared vision of a unified society for all.”
ADNOC is the ‘Presenting’ sponsor of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, which is gathering more than 7,500 athletes from 192 countries to compete in Abu Dhabi. Over 1,000 ADNOC employees and alumni have signed-up as volunteers for the games, making ADNOC the single largest contributor to the Special Olympics’ volunteer program.
