Gala opening launches Special Games in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Hope, courage and determination were the main theme of the opening ceremonies of the 6th MENA Regional Special Games, which is held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The Games were opened by Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, on Saturday night at the army stadium and were attended by top officials from inside and outside the UAE.

"The Games are not only staged to help the mentally disabled integrate into society but to be an active part of helping their communities to develop and achieve progress," Mohammad Faddel Al Hameli, Head of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Games said in his opening speech.

Proud

"Our disabled sons are proud of the care the state gives them and they are determined to become an active part of society and help achieve progress," Al Hameli added.

More than 1,500 athletes, both men and women, from 23 countries in the Middle East and North Africa are taking part in the Games in 12 different sports.

The opening ceremony included also speeches delivered by Ayman Abdul Wahda, the Chairman of the Regional MENA Games for the Middle East and North Africa, and Timothy Shriver, President of the International Special Olympics.