UAE athletes from Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin get heroes' welcome
The ceremony was held at the Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, reinforcing the nation's commitment to championing and advancing inclusion in sports.
The UAE delegation, composed of 11 athletes of determination, proudly represented the nation as their largest team to date at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
Held from March 8-15, the delegation achieved outstanding success, securing an impressive tally of 16 medals, including four gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals.
During their homecoming celebration, the athletes showcased their world-class talent by performing a synchronised skiing and snowboarding run and carrying the UAE Flag and Special Olympics Flag on the snow-covered slopes of Ski Dubai, in front of their families, coaches, senior officials from the UAE Government and Special Olympics UAE, Majid Al Futtaim.
The event was graced by Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of the Special Olympics UAE, Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, Mohammad El Etri, Managing Director of Operations of Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, and representatives of Special Olympics UAE.
Hashemi said 'We are incredibly proud of our athletes who represented the UAE with passion, perseverance, and pride at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Their remarkable achievement of 16 medals is not just a testament to their talent, but also to the power of inclusion and what can be accomplished when individuals of determination are given the opportunity to thrive.
'Our heartfelt thanks go to Majid Al Futtaim and the UAE Winter Sports Federation for their unwavering support in preparing our delegation. This homecoming celebration is a reminder of the progress we are making as a nation towards building a more inclusive sporting community.'
Lahoud said: 'We are extremely proud to see our homegrown athletes achieve the historic victory they deserve. For over a year, our world-class facilities at Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi have been a training ground for their incredible talent, determination, and resilience, and now the rest of the world has witnessed it too.'
'Majid Al Futtaim is committed to making winter sports accessible for all, right in the heart of the desert. Through the transformative power of sports, we aim to foster inclusivity and celebrate diversity among people of determination. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Special Olympics and UAE Winter Sports Federation to continue achieving the extraordinary.'
Since 2024, the ongoing partnership between Majid Al Futtaim and Special Olympics UAE have made winter sports even more accessible to athletes with intellectual disabilities by focusing on talent identification, team building, skill development, performance monitoring, and overall readiness, empowering them to reach new heights and represent their country on the global stage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah Holding reviews operational activities in its second board meeting of the year
The Board of Directors of Sharjah Holding convened its second meeting of the year 2025, chaired by Waleed Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board. The meeting focused on reviewing operational activities, audited financial statements, and forward-looking studies, with the aim of advancing Sharjah Holding's projects and achieving sustainable revenue through the company's operations across the 'Matajer' retail centres and its flagship real estate development, Al Zahia residential project fully integrated residential community offering a wide range of services. The meeting also reviewed updates on ongoing projects, operational challenges, and proposed development plans for the upcoming phase. Discussions included key performance indicators (KPIs) and a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing efficiency and delivering added value to shareholders. Waleed Al Sayegh stated: 'Our partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Group enriches ideas and strategic plans, opens new horizons for the exchange of expertise and the development of innovative business models, and contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of our real estate and commercial projects—aligning with the aspirations of the Emirate of Sharjah and supporting its long-term economic vision.' Waleed Al Hashemi CEO of Sharjah Holding, commented: 'At Sharjah Holding, we are committed to placing people at the heart of every project and initiative. This approach is in alignment with the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. We aim to embed quality of life as a central pillar of development, while proactively working to create a service-oriented environment that meets the evolving needs of the community.' Al Zahia community comprises approximately 3,700 residential units, all designed in accordance with the highest international standards of environmental sustainability. Al Zahia is the first residential real estate development in the UAE and the wider Middle East to receive the prestigious BREEAM certification for residential communities. Sharjah Holding was created out of a strategic partnership between Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Sharjah Asset Management – the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah. Established in 2008 as a real estate development company focused on community-oriented projects, Sharjah Holding contributes to the economic growth of the emirate and enhances the quality of life and well-being of its residents by developing communities that offer high living standards and strong investment value.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
The Board of Directors of Sharjah Holding discusses the operational activities of Sharjah Holding's projects
Sharjah: The Board of Directors of Sharjah Holding convened its second meeting of the year 2025, chaired by His Excellency Waleed Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board. The meeting focused on reviewing operational activities, audited financial statements, and forward-looking studies, with the aim of advancing Sharjah Holding's projects and achieving sustainable revenue through the company's operations across the 'Matajer' retail centres and its flagship real estate development, Al Zahia residential project fully integrated residential community offering a wide range of services. The meeting also reviewed updates on ongoing projects, operational challenges, and proposed development plans for the upcoming phase. Discussions included key performance indicators (KPIs) and a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing efficiency and delivering added value to shareholders. Waleed Al Sayegh stated:' Our partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Group enriches ideas and strategic plans, opens new horizons for the exchange of expertise and the development of innovative business models, and contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of our real estate and commercial projects—aligning with the aspirations of the Emirate of Sharjah and supporting its long-term economic vision.' Mr. Waleed Al Hashemi CEO of Sharjah Holding, commented: 'At Sharjah Holding, we are committed to placing people at the heart of every project and initiative. This approach is in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. We aim to embed quality of life as a central pillar of development, while proactively working to create a service-oriented environment that meets the evolving needs of the community.' Al Zahia community comprises approximately 3.7k residential units, all designed in accordance with the highest international standards of environmental sustainability. Al Zahia is the first residential real estate development in the UAE and the wider Middle East to receive the prestigious BREEAM certification for residential communities. It is worth noting that Sharjah Holding is the result of a strategic partnership between Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Sharjah Asset Management – the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah. Established in 2008 as a real estate development company focused on community-oriented projects, Sharjah Holding contributes to the economic growth of the emirate and enhances the quality of life and well-being of its residents by developing communities that offer high living standards and strong investment value.
Al Etihad
26-07-2025
- Al Etihad
Seventy-two Special Olympics UAE athletes participate in Topgolf Tournament for People of Determination
26 July 2025 22:15 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Seventy-two Special Olympics UAE athletes represented the nation in the first-ever Special Olympics Topgolf Invitational Tournament for People of Determination in the region, a one-day virtual competition, held on July 26 at Topgolf venues in each participating country. Special Olympics athletes from the US and UK also event marks a significant milestone for inclusive sports in the UAE, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By leveraging innovative technology and purposefully designed golf environments, the tournament aimed to expand participation and create more accessible sporting competition followed an eight-week national training programme that began in May, made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Special Olympics UAE and Topgolf Dubai. Athletes from across the country participated in structured training and national qualifiers, with 72 individuals ultimately selected to represent the UAE in this international were chosen based on time-based performance metrics, age eligibility, and consistent attendance; each athlete was required to complete at least 80% of the training to the nature of the sport and logistical challenges associated with large in-person gatherings, the tournament utilised Topgolf's advanced technology to facilitate parallel play across multiple levels. This enabled more than 36 athletes to compete simultaneously per floor, allowing for broader inclusion and a more dynamic tournament athletes were registered electronically and evaluated using competition-specific benchmarks. For the majority, this marked their first experience participating in a Topgolf competition, making the UAE's strong representation especially Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, stated: 'This tournament represents a new chapter in international empowerment for our athletes, made possible by the continued support of our wise leadership. The UAE remains committed to promoting the full inclusion of People of Determination, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, through meaningful opportunities in sport and beyond.'He added, 'Our athletes made us proud and carried the UAE flag with pride. The tournament strengthened their confidence and opened the door to further opportunities for growth and sports excellence.'Mike Walton, General Manager of Topgolf Dubai, commented: 'We are proud to have hosted this first-of-its-kind virtual event in partnership with Special Olympics International. The dedication and progress shown by the athletes over the past eight weeks were truly inspiring. We believe this initiative reinforces the inclusive potential of golf and our shared commitment to making the sport accessible to all.' The tournament was organised in coordination with a global working group comprising Special Olympics International, Special Olympics Texas, and Topgolf. Together, they developed a comprehensive virtual competition framework and technical standards to ensure fair and equitable play. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
