Snow Oman honours Omani Special Olympics champions

Observer

18-04-2025

Muscat: Majid Al Futtaim, represented by Snow Oman, organised a special ceremony to honour the Omani Special Olympics champions in celebration of their return from the Special Olympics World Winter Games 'Turin 2025'. The event was held at Snow Oman in Oman Mall under the auspices of Olivier Saez, Vice-President of Global Snow and in the presence of Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth and Mohammed al Rashdi, Chairman of Special Olympics Oman.
This tribute was in recognition of the outstanding achievement by the Omani delegation, which included six athletes with intellectual disabilities who competed in three winter sports during the Games held in Turin, Italy, from March 8 to 15. The team earned a total of seven medals: one gold, two silvers and four bronzes.
The collaboration with Snow Oman played a crucial role in the success of the team's preparation.
Athlete Husam al Amri won the gold medal in the 300-metre speed skating race and a silver medal in the 200-metre event of the same sport. Meanwhile, Al Bara al Battashi secured a silver in the 100-metre Cross Country Skiing race. The bronze medals were earned by Ritaj al Salmi in the 200-metre and 100-metre speed skating events, Al Batashi added another bronze in snowshoeing and Amira al Raisi won bronze in the 200-metre Snowshoeing event.
Olivier Saez, during the ceremony said: 'We're thrilled to welcome you back to Snow Oman, your training home and now the place celebrating your incredible achievements. Your determination, heart and resilience have been truly inspiring. You didn't just win medals —you brought back powerful stories of courage and growth that moved us all. To the coaches, thank you for your dedication. You've shaped confident individuals ready to take on life beyond the Games. This milestone reflects hard work, commitment and belief. Snow Oman is proud to have supported your journey. Together, we continue building a future where inclusion in sport is the norm, not the exception. At Majid Al Futtaim, we believe in sport's power to break barriers and create opportunities for all.'
Husam al Amri won the gold medal in the 300-metre speed skating race and a silver in the 200-metre event of the same race.
Khamis al Muqbali, Sports Director at Special Olympics Oman, emphasised that the participation was filled with challenges and achievements, noting that the Omani delegation consisted of 21 members including athletes, coaches and team leaders, with six athletes competing in three winter sports. He said, 'The competitions saw a world-class level of participation, but our athletes managed to prove their capabilities and achieve honourable results.'
He pointed out that the collaboration with Snow Oman played a crucial role in the success of the team's preparation, stating, 'They provided us with the right facilities and equipment and were true partners in the training process. This greatly helped us adapt to the winter sports environment, which is vastly different from our usual Gulf climate.'
The team included six athletes with intellectual disabilities who competed in three winter sports.
Al Muqbali also praised the significant role of parents in supporting their children, through their dedication to attending training sessions and constantly motivating the athletes, affirming that this support was a key factor in the team's success.
He extended his gratitude to the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Oman, National Director Nabeel al Harthi and the coaches for their efforts in supporting the athletes.
He concluded by highlighting the Special Olympics' plans to expand the base of sports practitioners across the Sultanate of Oman, with initiatives including local championships in sports such as table tennis, equestrian and swimming; and organising regular competitions at designated training centres. He also noted the programme's regional accomplishments, such as hosting the Gulf Athletics Championship at Ibri Sports Complex in 2023 and expressed aspirations for more tournaments in the future to develop skills and enhance the level of Omani athletes.