Bowling treat for special needs children

Dubai: Special needs children from the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre enjoyed a day of fun and excitement at the Ibn Battuta Mall, where they spent the day at the Switch Bowling centre.

The event was organised as part of a series of special needs fun days to give students with disabilities the opportunity to interact with people and have fun while playing games at the centre for free.

The fun day was organised following an invitation from Sharif Al Halawani, manager of the Jebel Ali Racecourse, and Ahmad Komi, with the support of Jasem Mohammad Al Ali, Nakheel's director of business and asset management

About 60 boys and girls from Rashid Paediatic Therapy Centre were able to use the bowling and billiards recreational facilities at the mall.

Mariam Othman, general manager of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, joined the children in the activities together with some employees from the Dubai-based facility. "How wonderful to see people and institutions thinking about our children with special needs, which brings delight and joy to the children's hearts. At the same time, it contributes to their integration with those in the communities of normal people, which is the ultimate goal we look forward to achieving," she said.

Al Halawani said he was delighted with the idea of entertaining his special guests at the bowling centre which he set up recently. "This is the least we can do for our children with special needs, as well as it is a religious, moral and patriotic duty which we do not deserve to be thanked for."

Jasem Mohammad Al Ali echoed the sentiments of Othman and Al Halawani.

"We had a wonderful group of children come to our mall and we were able to see them really enjoy themselves either bowling or playing pool," he said. "It was an exceptional day and the kids really amused themselves. We hope to continue conducting key events like these for children with special needs or disabilities.