Oman’s Special Olympics team left for Germany to participate in the World Summer Games. As the athletes gathered at Al Amal Centre prior to their departure, the energy was high.
The team will be participating in 13 sports.
Just before they left for the airport the Vice President of Special Olympics Oman, Sheikh Naïf al Shanfari, delivered words of motivation.
The delegation member and in charge of Public Relations, Dalia al Bassami said, “We are on our way to Frankfurt, a journey of seven hours and then they will proceed to host towns where they will get to enjoy and learn the culture. On 17th of June everyone will reach Berlin for the opening ceremony. We hope our athletes enjoy the international experience and achieve good results.”
After few more days family members will be joining the athletes to attend some of the events organised by the Special Olympics.
The games they will be participating or golf, rollerskating, Futsal, sailing, powerlifting, equestrian, table tennis, bocce, bowling, badminton, athletics, tennis and swimming.
Zaina al Zedjali spoke to Onserver, “As a mother I am so proud of my daughter Maryam al Zedjali as she is going to compete in swimming competition. The whole family is happy and Maryam is extremely thrilled. Her brother and sister will join her in Berlin.”
In 13 games Zaid al Jabri is the only Golf player Down Syndrome. His father, Ahmed al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Down Syndrome Society explained how hard Ziad has been practicing.
“He is perfectly fine on traveling on his own and I will be joining him in Berlin soon.”
The coaches, the delegation and the athletes expressed their gratitude to all the supporters.
One of the first events upon arrival was the reception by Mayor of Oberhausen for the Omani Special Olympics delegation.
After we coming the delegation to the historic Fondren Castle, Daniel Schranz, Mayor of Oberhausen said that the Special Olympics World Summer Games in current version, focus on extending a handshake and extending the bonds of meeting between different peoples.
He added that work is continuing towards achieving more equal opportunities and participation for people with intellectual disabilities at all social levels.
Then the mayor distributed souvenirs to the delegation as an expression of gratitude for the mission's visit to Oberhausen.
The visit to Oberhausen city is part of the host cities program, which aims to introduce the role of people with intellectual disabilities.
The delegation, headed by Mohammed bin Salem Al Rashidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics Oman, consists of 36 male and female players with mental disabilities, in addition to 9 partner players. They will participate in many games that will be held from 17-25 June.
The host cities program includes more than 200 German cities and is held prior to the launch of the World Summer Games and will continue until the 15th of the month.
The Special Olympics World Summer Games will include 26 competitions in which more than 7,000 players with intellectual disabilities will participate.
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