Special Olympics UAE prepares for World Games Berlin 2023

ABU DHABI: Special Olympics UAE has kicked off its Road to Berlin campaign with the launch of a series of training camps to prepare for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, being held from June 17 to 25.

The UAE will be participating in 20 different sports, and the Special Olympics UAE delegation will be one of the biggest from the Middle East and North Africa region, comprising 75 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 32 unified partners, 46 coaches, medics, and administrative and technical staff.

The first of three major training camps kicked off last December in Al-Ain. Additionally, athletes participated in other unified activities taking place throughout the country, including the ADNOC marathon, national table tennis championship, the roller-skating national team trials, Mubadala world tennis tournament, and the Asian Powerlifting Championships.

Special Olympics UAE athletes will compete in swimming, badminton, bowling, athletics, beach volleyball men’s team, volleyball women’s team, basketball, cycling, equestrian, and powerlifting.

Talal Al-Hashemi, national director of Special Olympics UAE, said: “As we prepare for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, we are confident that our athletes can achieve many wins and medals.

“They will set an inspiring example as representatives of the UAE and will build on the legacy of our great success in the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

“Before the start of the training camp in Al-Ain in December, athletes were practicing and preparing through many regional and international Special Olympics events, such as the Invitational Games Malta 2022, and the Special Olympics Austria National Games 2022.

“We are proud of our