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Abu Dhabi: Indian community in the UAE has an opportunity to cheer up their People of Determination compatriots who constitute the second largest team at The Special Olympics World Games 2019, senior officials said here on Monday.
Scheduled to be held from March 14 to 21 at nine venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the event is the world’s largest humanitarian sporting event to empower People of Determination through the power of sport.
The 378-member Indian team comprising of 300 athletes, coaches and officials will arrive in the UAE on March 8, said Navdeep Singh Suri, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, at a press conference at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, along with senior officials of the organising committee.
I think nothing means more than accolades [to the competitors]. Sometimes the support helps to get the extra amount of motivation.
“On behalf of the wonderful Indian community here, I would like to assure the Indian team that we will exceed any previous [pleasant] experience our team had [in the past],” Suri said.
He urged the Indian community members to take all efforts to encourage the visiting team, especially to personally visit the stadium and cheer them up.
“I think nothing means more than accolades [to the competitors]. Sometimes the support helps to get the extra amount of motivation,” Suri said.
He said Special Olympics Bharat, the National Sports Federation that uses sports as a catalyst to transform the lives of children and adults with intellectual disability, has more than a million participants in India.
The envoy appreciated the UAE’s enormous efforts to make it sure that Abu Dhabi Games will be the most successful largest event ever in its history since 1968.
Peter Wheeler, CEO of World Games Abu Dhabi, said the Abu Dhabi event will have the record number of participation — 195 nations. Around 169 was the largest number of nations ever participated in the past events.
The US, Ireland, Oman, Russia and China are also sending large contingents, after the UAE and India, he said.
“We expect half a million spectators. There is no entry fee. The only ‘fee’ is your enthusiasm and excitement [to encourage athletes],” Wheeler said.
The organisers expect a huge participation from the Indian community, he said.
There is no entry fee. The only ‘fee’ is your enthusiasm and excitement.”
The event is important for around 200 million people of determination across the globe as it raises awareness about their vulnerability and marginalisation, Wheeler said.
Why Special Olympics is important
Special Olympics is the world’s largest humanitarian sporting event and a global movement that focuses on the empowerment of People of Determination with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.
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About 7,500 athletes from 195 countries will be coming to compete in a series of sports, as well as a variety of initiatives and activities held across the seven Emirates.
Under the Patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Crown Prince Court led the winning bid efforts for the Abu Dhabi Games with a mission to promote positive social change for an estimated 200 million people with intellectual disabilities across the globe and create a more inclusive society.
WHEN: MARCH 14-21, 2019
WHERE: 9 world-class venues across Abu Dhabi and Dubai:
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, Yas Marina Circuit, Al Forsan Resort, Yas Links Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Corniche Beach, Dubai Police Club Stadium and Hamdan Sports Complex
Entry is free
Daily schedule of events at each venue can be accessed on: https://www.meetthedetermined.com/
FACTS & FIGURES
Countries with largest teams:
UAE, India, US, Ireland, Oman, Russia and China
7,500 Athletes
3,000 Coaches
20,000 Volunteers
24 Sports (items)
195 Countries
169 largest number of countries ever participated so far
500,000 Spectators
3,000 awards presentations
200 million people of determination across globe
300 Athletes from India
378 Total Indian team members including coaches and officials
For more info: https://www.abudhabi2019.org/
