The first Special Olympics MENA Regional Sailing Competition will be launched today, Wednesday, in the waters of Dubai Islands, a unique tourist destination along Dubai's shores. This event, being held for the first time in the region and the Middle East, will continue until Sunday (6th October 2024).
The major event is organized by the Dubai International Marine Club, with support from the Dubai Sports Council, as part of the new 2024-2025 sports season. It is being held in partnership with the Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa region and UAE Special Olympics, under the supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation.
The Higher Organizing Committee of the event revealed, during a press conference held at the W Hotel - Mina Seyahi last Tuesday (October 1, 2024), the latest preparations and arrangements for the launch of the competitions, the event schedule, accompanying activities, and the participating teams and delegations. The players of the UAE national team, who are entering the competition with great ambitions, were also introduced.
The press conference was attended by Mohammed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Special Olympics UAE and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Khalid bin Dasmal, Board Member of the Dubai International Marine Club, and Mohammed Abdullah Al Obaidli, Secretary General of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation.
Today (Wednesday), Dubai will welcome the delegation of participating teams, which includes six national teams from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, and Syria, in addition to the UAE national team.
The organizing committee extended its highest thanks and appreciation to the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates for providing every opportunity to integrate people of determination and foster community partnership, ensuring a cohesive society filled with vitality and a positive spirit.
Mohammed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Special Olympics UAE and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, praised the tremendous efforts of the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai International Marine Club (the event host), and the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation. He emphasized that their fruitful cooperation has culminated in organizing this unique competition, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa.
Al Nuaimi stated that the Special Olympics UAE, through its plans and programs, aims to showcase the creativity of the Special Olympics athletes among people of determination. He noted that this new competition will significantly contribute by discovering exceptional talents in this forum and wished success to the members of the national team.
Khalid Khamis bin Dasmal, Board Member of the Dubai International Marine Club, welcomed this unique and major event organized by the club under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council and in cooperation with the UAE Special Olympics and the Special Olympics for the Middle East and North Africa, under the supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation. He conveyed the greetings of the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors to the organizing committee and participating delegations, expressing their best wishes for success to all and for everyone to enjoy these wonderful competitions that embody the true spirit of sports.
He mentioned that the Dubai International Marine Club has completed all preparations to begin the competition stages, which coincide with the start of the new 2024-2025 sports season. The competitions will take place from Wednesday to next Sunday at the scenic Dubai Islands. He also invited the public to attend and cheer on the athletes, encouraging people of determination in the Special Olympics.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Obaidli, Secretary-General of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, expressed his happiness with the fruitful partnership between the Dubai International Marine Club and the UAE Special Olympics, which has led to the successful organization of this unique competition being held for the first time, the event aligns perfectly with the aspirations of the Federation's Board of Directors, led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who has worked for years to involve people of determination. Their efforts have resulted in the emergence of Special Olympics champions in the UAE national Champion series, as well as the support of national teams in international competitions, including the World Games.
6 Teams:
Six teams are participating in the first Special Olympics MENA Regional Sailing Competition, representing Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, Syria, and the UAE.
Two Categories:
The competition will include two categories. The first, at the Second Level, features a pair of unified partners and a player from the Special Olympics. The second, at the Third Level, includes a trio in a unified partner boat with players from the Special Olympics.
Official Opening and Delegations' Ceremony on Thursday:
The Dubai International Marine Club, in coordination with the organizing committee, has arranged a variety of programs and activities for the participants and delegations. The official launch ceremony of the championship will take place on Thursday (October 3, 2024) in the Al Serdal Hall at the Westin Hotel - Mina Seyahi.
Conclusion of the Competition on Sunday:
The first Special Olympics MENA Regional Sailing Competition will conclude next Sunday with a awarding ceremony for the champions in various categories, who will receive medals in the presence of esteemed guests at the event site on the beaches of Dubai Islands.
Program:
Serdal Hall at the Westin Mina Seyahi in Dubai will host the official reception and opening ceremony of the first MENA Regional Modern Sailing Competition for the Special Olympics today (Thursday), 3rd October. Organized by the Dubai International Marine Club, this event is being held in the Middle East for the first time and will run until Sunday, 6th October 2024. Six teams will participate, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, Morocco, and the UAE national team.
The competition is hosted under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council as part of the activities for the 2024-2025 watersports season, in partnership with UAE Special Olympics and Special Olympics MENA, and under the supervision of the UAE Marine Sports Federation.
Today's opening ceremony will be preceded by the start of official activities in the morning, with the first stages of the competition taking place in the waters of Dubai Islands. The event will begin with a swimming test, overseen by the technical committee and referees, to approve the participants for the competition.
The competition will feature two categories on ‘RS Venture’ boats. The first category, for the second level (a doubles team consisting of a unified partner and a Special Olympics athlete), will see 10 teams competing. The second category, for the third level (a trio in a boat consisting of a unified partner and Special Olympics athletes), will feature 5 teams.
The arrival of the delegations was completed yesterday evening at the Movenpick Hotel - Al Mamzar in Dubai, where the technical meeting for the participating teams was held. The meeting took place in the presence of representatives from the Higher Organizing Committee, technical committees, referees, as well as the coaches and administrators of the delegations. The latest instructions and conditions for the competition were discussed in preparation for its start.
The UAE national team includes players Omar Al Hammadi, Mohammed Al Zubaidi, Zayed Al Amri, Marouan Ibrahim, and two partners, brothers Mohammed and Sultan Khalid Al Owais, who are members of the UAE national sailing team. The team is accompanied by coaches Yousef Khalid Al Bastaki, Abdelhakim Heirach, and Yassin Sharni, as well as physical therapy specialist Haneen Al Hamaideh.
The Kuwaiti delegation, headed by Sadeeqah Alansari, Secretary General of the Ambition Sports Club, has also arrived for the competition. The team includes coach Houbeb Hammi, official Nayef Alhadah, and players Sulaiman Alnasser and Nawaf Awadh, along with partner players Abdulrahman AlKanderi and Manaf Alwaheeb.
Bahrain's national team is participating under the leadership of Abdelredha Ahmed Hassan and includes coach Kacem Ben Jemia, players Mohammed Alali and Ali Almetghawi, and partner players Waleed Daraan and Ahmed Abdullah Sadeq.
Saudi Arabia's national team is represented by player Ahmed Hidayatallah Hakim and partner player Abdulaziz Khaled Al-Qassab. The delegation is led by Abdulaziz Ayman Tayb, with Rayan Mustafa Jemili as coach.
The Moroccan national team has a large delegation, led by Ilyas Bentaleb. It includes Dr. Nadia Chafik, coach Youssef Dadi, and players Yassin Zaoumi and Mounieme Al Ouahabi, along with partner players Oualid Gadour and Yassine Mehdi.
Syria’s national team is represented by Masoun Almarawi and partner player Yasser Al Akhdar. The Syrian delegation is headed by Talal Ghassan and includes official Botheana Ali Slaeman and coach Rafat Bakkar.
The UAE has a distinguished presence in the referees committee for the regional modern sailing competition of the Special Olympics. Abdullah Al-Bishr was selected to be part of the referees committee, along with Abdul Hamid Morsi and Bajak Michael. Additionally, Jamal Matar Al-Suwaidi was chosen to join the race officials, which includes Zohair Lebbat, the technical director of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, Najib Pasha, and Alan Jorke.
The spotlight is on Dubai Islands today as the waters come alive with the launch of the first-ever Special Olympics MENA Sailing competition. Organized by the Dubai International Marine Club, the prestigious event is being held under the Dubai Sports Council, in collaboration with UAE Special Olympics and under the careful supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation.
This historic competition, which will run until Sunday, marks a significant milestone for the region's sports scene, bringing together athletes of determination from across the Middle East and North Africa to showcase their skills and determination on the water.
The competition were officially launched yesterday during the opening ceremony at Sardal Hall in the Westin Mina Seyahi, with the participation of dignitaries, heads and members of the organizing committees, officials, and representatives of the delegations from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, and Syria, in addition to the UAE national team.
His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, welcomed the guests and delegations participating in the competition, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, with six teams taking part. He praised the efforts of the Dubai International Marine Club (the host), the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (the organizing body) in making this unique event a success, noting that the UAE is hosting it for the first time, further confirming its leadership and consistent excellence.
His Excellency said, "We appreciate the efforts of the organizing committee and all the entities supporting people of determination with mental and developmental challenges in the country. We hope these efforts will be added to the record of tireless initiatives by the wise leadership to integrate individuals with mental and developmental challenges, directing all capabilities and resources to prepare this group to excel in all fields. I hope that the first regional sailing competition for the Special Olympics will inspire more athletes with disabilities and unified partners across the region to take up sailing, and that the competitions will unfold in an atmosphere of friendliness and fun, giving people of determination the chance to develop their skills and make new friends.
Al Hashemi urged all segments of society to attend the competition site at Dubai Islands to support the champions in this challenge, instill enthusiasm in the players, and experience the competition up close while enjoying the atmosphere.
It is worth noting that the first day of the inaugural regional sailing competition for the Special Olympics was preceded by a successful technical meeting between the organizing committee and the heads and directors of the participating delegations. This meeting aimed to clarify instructions and discuss competition procedures. On the first day, the teams were divided to ensure fair competition among groups of similar skill levels.
The competitions feature two categories using “RS Venter” boats. The first category is for the second level, comprising a doubles team consisting of a unified partner and a Special Olympics athlete, with 10 teams competing. The second category is for the third level, involving a trio in a boat consisting of a unified partner and Special Olympics athletes, with 5 teams participating.
Attendees at the inaugural Special Olympics MENA Sailing Competition – Dubai 2024, hosted on the Dubai Islands by the Dubai International Marine Club, enjoyed a remarkable evening at the opening ceremony held at the Serdal Hall in the Westin Mina Seyahi.
The regional competition, which will continue until tomorrow, is organized by the Dubai International Marine Sports Club, with the support of the Dubai Sports Council and in partnership with the UAE Special Olympics, under the supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials such as H.E. Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; H.E. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Vice Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai International Marine Club; Talal Mustafa Al Hashemi, National Director of the UAE Special Olympics; Mohammed Abdullah Al Obeidli, Secretary General of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation; Ahmed Ali Al Sheryani, Secretary General of the UAE Marine Sports Federation; Salem Al Rumaithi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club; Ahmed Ibrahim Mohammed, General Manager of the Fujairah International Marine Club; Khaled bin Dasmal, Board Member of DIMC; and Dr. Sherif Al Fouly, Head of the Games and Competitions Sector at Special Olympics International for the Middle East and North Africa Region.
First Special Olympics MENA Sailing -Dubai 2024 concludes today at Dubai Islands which is organized by Dubai International Marine Club with the support of Dubai Sports Council and in partnership with UAE Special Olympics under the supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation.
Six teams are competing for the competition titles: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, and Syria, along with our champions in the UAE team, across two categories. The first is for the second level (a doubles team consisting of a unified partner and a player from the Special Olympics), with 10 teams competing. The second is for the third level (a trio in a boat consisting of a unified partner and players from the Special Olympics), with 5 teams participating on RS Venture boats.
The awarding ceremony for the first Special Olympic MENA Sailing Competition – Dubai 2024 is set to take place this Sunday, where the winners of the four races will be honored—three from the second category and one from the third category.
The event’s closing will feature the ceremonial handover of the competition flag to the Special Olympics International representative for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by the organizing committee. This marks the competition’s successful conclusion in its inaugural edition on the beaches of Dubai and in the waters of the Dubai Islands, as it moves on to a new destination.
The charming beaches were bustling with activity over the past few days, as Special Olympics champions showcased their remarkable energy, creative talents, and tremendous abilities, painting a beautiful picture of their road to excellence and success.
The stages witnessed fierce competition among the participants. Representing our national team were Omar Al-Hammadi, Mohammed Al-Zubaidi, Zayed Al-Amri, and Marwan Ibrahim, along with two partner players—Mohammed and Sultan Khaled Al-Owais from Al-Hamriyah Club and the national sailing team. Kuwait’s team included Suleiman Al-Nasser, Nawaf Awad, and partner players Abdulrahman Al-Kandari and Manaf Al-Wahib.
Bahrain’s team was represented by Mohammed Al-Ali and Ali Al-Maitqawi, along with partner players Walid Daran and Ahmed Abdullah Siddiq. Saudi Arabia fielded Ahmed Hidayat Allah Hakimi and partner player Abdulaziz Khaled Al-Qassab. The Moroccan team included Yassin Dhaoumi and Monem Al-Wahabi, alongside partner players Walid Qaddour and Yassin Mahdi. Syria was represented by Maysoun Al-Mawri and partner player Yasser Al-Akhdar.
Follow-up
The first regional competition is receiving significant attention from the Special Olympics International for the Middle East and North Africa region. Dr. Sherif Al-Fouly, Head of the Games and Competitions Sector, and Dr. Imad Mohi El-Din, Head of the Sports and Training Sector, were both in attendance at the events.
Praise
Abdel Hamid Morsi, head of the referees committee for the regional competition, praised the high level of organization and technical expertise demonstrated throughout the event. He commended the professional effort put into selecting the location, competitions, and racecourse, all of which contributed to the success of each stage. He emphasized that the event's success was made possible by the sincere efforts and strong cooperation between all parties involved, culminating in today’s conclusion.
Our champions, the UAE Special Olympics Sailing Team, made an impressive mark at the conclusion of the inaugural Special Olympic MENA Sailing Competition – Dubai 2024. The event was successfully organized by the Dubai International Marine Club with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, in partnership with the UAE Special Olympics and under the supervision of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation.
The UAE team showcased exceptional skills, earning podium positions by competing for top spots in four categories. Their remarkable performance resulted in multiple medals after days of intense competition on the waters of Dubai Islands, alongside Arab teams from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, and Syria.
The duo of Mohammed Al Zubaidi and Omar Al Hammadi, accompanied by their unified partner Mohammed Al Owais, along with the duo of Marwan Ibrahim and Zayed Al Amri, accompanied by their unified partner Sultan Al Owais, successfully secured a shared silver medal in the third-level race.
Our champion Mohammed Ali Al Zubaidi and his unified partner Mohammed Al Owais won the silver medal in the second category of the second level, while our champion Marwan Ibrahim and his unified partner Sultan Al Owais claimed the bronze medal in the first category of the second level.
The champions received their medals during a joyful ceremony attended by dignitaries, parents, and public visitors. The event was graced by His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Special Olympics UAE and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Mohammed Abdullah Al Obaidli, Secretary General of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation; Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at DIMC; Dr. Maryam Al Matrooshi, Head of the Sports Council at Dubai Police; and Dr. Sherif Al Fouly, Head of the Games and Competitions Sector at the Regional Presidency of Special Olympics International.
Ambition
Sadika Al Ansari, Secretary General of Ambition Sports Club and Head of the Kuwait Special Olympics delegation, presented honorary shields to Dubai International Marine Club, the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and UAE Special Olympics.
The Best
The organizing committee selected the distinguished Tunisian coach, Qassim Bin Jamea, technical director of the Bahrain Special Olympics team, to receive the Best Coach Award in the first edition. This recognition followed the Bahraini Special Olympics champions' exceptional performance, securing numerous positions in the second and third levels.
Second Edition
His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Special Olympics UAE and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, handed over the Special Olympics flag and the first regional sailing competition to Dr. Sherif El-Fouly, Head of the Games and Competitions Sector at the Regional Presidency of Special Olympics International, in preparation for its transfer to the host city of the second edition.
Community Happiness
The Dubai Police musical band captivated the audience with a stunning performance before the closing ceremony, while Policewoman Amna from the General Department of Community Happiness added a special touch to the celebration of the Special Olympics champions.
Marshall
The organizing committee expressed gratitude for the efforts of the volunteer Marshall team, who supported the event throughout the tournament.
