LEADERS MAKE IT A SPECIAL DAY
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, interact with participants at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 on Wednesday. —
The penultimate day of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi saw people from all walks of life led by the UAE leadership out in full force to encourage the athletes and promote inclusion.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, toured multiple venues at the games on Wednesday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was moved by the indomitable spirit shown by athletes and paid tribute to their mothers. “I saw exceptional stories of determination and resilience at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi. The willpower of determined athletes reflects the work and devotion of exceptional mothers. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate success stories of outstanding mothers,” he tweeted after his tour.
He honoured Saudi athlete Hassan Al Hadhariti, who had earlier won three gold medals and a silver in powerlifting.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed toured the games with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“I was touched by the enthusiasm and joy of the athletes at the Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019. It’s exhilarating for me and my dear friend, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, to meet people of determination. We’re so proud of them and their families,” he tweeted.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince presented the UAE handball team with gold medals after they thumped Russia 13-10. The players and the coaching staff were thrilled with the honour.
“This is a proud moment for the team. This is the result of our hard work. We trained and played well as a team,” Abdul Hameed, a player, said. Abu Al Makarim, team official, said the UAE had performed similarly in Athens (2011) and Los Angeles (2015).
In basketball, the men’s team battered Italy 28-18 for gold. Mohammed Husain, a player, was elated with the boisterous support for the team throughout the event. “This medal is for all of them who supported the team and my country,” Husain said.
Another gold medal came in volleyball with victory over Uganda. Khaled Al Manei, a player, said the team played exceptionally at the games, winning five out of six matches.
The UAE finished second best in football after a nail-biting final against Oman. The match went into extra time and penalties were needed to decide the match. In Dubai, the swimmers secured two gold medals in different categories of 50m backstroke through Awadh Al Ketbi and Clivenne Tjenderasa.
I saw exceptional stories of determination and resilience at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi. The willpower of determined athletes reflects the work and devotion of exceptional mothers. On Mother’s Day tomorrow, we celebrate success stories of outstanding mothers.” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid@HHShkMohd
I was touched by the enthusiasm and joy of the athletes at the Special Olympics Abu Dhabi 2019.
It’s exhilarating for me & my dear friend, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, to meet people of determination. We’re so proud of them and their families.” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
@MohamedBinZayed