Dubai International Marine Club announced the organization of the first Special Olympics MENA Regional Sailing Competition, which will take place from the 2nd to the 6th of October, 2024.

Dubai International Marine Club will host the event with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, in cooperation with Special Olympics UAE and Special Olympics International, under the supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation (UAESARF). Six teams will participate, representing the Sultanate of Oman, Kuwait, Morocco, Bahrain, and Syria, in addition to the Special Olympics UAE team.

The upcoming regional competition aims to support sporting events for people with intellectual and developmental challenges and to encourage modern sailing within Special Olympics communities. This aligns with the direction of the wise leadership and the goals of the national policy to empower people of determination.

Regarding the organization of the first regional competition for modern sailing for people of determination, His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, stated that the competition is inspired by the UAE's wise leadership’s commitment to supporting people of determination and adopting various sports as a means of integrating them.

Al Hashemi said: “We are pleased to announce the organization of the first regional competition for modern sailing, which will provide an opportunity for our athletes to prove their worth in this enjoyable sport and support their participation in international competitions. We hope that the UAE will become a global capital for empowering people of determination."

Mohammed Abdullah Harib, Board Member and Executive Director of the Dubai International Marine Club, said that hosting the first regional competition for modern sailing for the Special Olympics confirms the club’s relentless efforts to showcase its organizational and technical capabilities while providing opportunities for people of determination to demonstrate their abilities. This is especially significant following their remarkable performances in external competitions and their successful participation in the National Series for Modern Sailing (UAE Championship).

He added, "The Dubai International Marine Club has been working over the past seasons to create the conditions necessary for the participation of this important segment of society. The club has also included the Dubai Watersports Day for People of Determination in its agenda, with two editions successfully held in past seasons with the active participation of members from clubs across the country."

He continued: "I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Dubai International Marine Club for hosting the competition, and I look forward to welcoming the participating delegations to their second home, the UAE. I hope that the competition will bring significant value to the Special Olympics movement and to the lives of all participating athletes.”

Dr. Sherif El-Fouly, Games & Competitions Director of Special Olympics Middle East North Africa (MENA), emphasized the importance of holding this regional event, particularly after sailing was added to the World Games sports agenda. Preparations are now underway to promote it within various Special Olympics programs. This is especially relevant since all programs in the Middle East and North Africa region have access to seas and oceans. Sailing is also a unified sport, meaning that Special Olympics athletes can participate alongside their peers on the same team, fostering the philosophy of integration and acceptance of others—one of the key pillars of the International Special Olympics. Sailing was featured in the World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, where it achieved significant success, and it was also included in the World Games of the Special Olympics Berlin 2023.