UAE Special Olympics Sets Benchmark in Empowering People of Determination

ABU DHABI: The UAE Special Olympics continues to strengthen its role as a leading model in empowering People of Determination, achieving remarkable milestones on local, regional, and global stages.

Launched in the early 1990s under the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, the UAE Special Olympics trained hundreds of athletes and hosted numerous competitions. In 2017, it was re-established as a public benefit organization under the Ministry of Community Development, following directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

The movement gained global recognition during the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, which saw record participation of 7,000 athletes from 200 countries. The UAE delegation achieved historic results, marking a new era for People of Determination in sports.

Since then, UAE Special Olympics athletes have continued their winning streak:
2022 Malta Games: 16 medals (6 gold, 8 silver, 2 bronze)
2023 World Games in Berlin: 73 medals — best Arab country performance (18 gold, 22 silver, 33 bronze)
2023 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships, Malaysia: 20 medals (15 gold, 5 silver)
2024 Malta National Games: 15 medals across five sports
2024 MENA Athletics Championship, Jordan: 22 medals (12 gold, 10 silver)
2024 Torino Games, Italy: 16 medals, best Arab and Middle Eastern performance

In May 2024, the UAE hosted the first-ever UAE Special Olympics Games, featuring over 1,000 athletes from Unified Schools and clubs across the country, further cementing its commitment to inclusion and empowerment.

Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of UAE Special Olympics, said: “Since the 2019 Abu Dhabi Games, we’ve entered a new era of empowerment for People of Determination. Guided by the UAE’s leadership, our strategy has delivered outstanding results, proving the capabilities and potential of our athletes on the world stage.”

The UAE Special Olympics continues to drive impactful change, supporting the nation’s vision of building an inclusive society where People of Determination thrive in sports and beyond