Latest news with #MinaAlMazrouei
The National
12-03-2025
- Sport
- The National
Snowboarder wins UAE's first ever gold medal at Special Olympics World Winter Games
Two Emirati athletes entered the record books on Wednesday by winning the UAE's first medals at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Abdullah Al Nuaimi won a gold medal for snowboarding and Mina Al Mazrouei secured bronze, also for snowboarding. The UAE has sent 11 athletes with intellectual disabilities to the week-long inclusive international event that uses sport as a platform to break barriers and shatter preconceived notions about people with special needs. Posting celebratory video footage and photos on social media, the UAE team congratulated the medallists and described the moment as one that encapsulated 'unity and sportsmanship'. The team also expressed pride in the hard work, consistency and effort it took to qualify for the Games. 'We are incredibly proud of Abdulla Al Nuaimi and Meena Al Mazrouei's outstanding performances at this year's Special Olympics World Winter Games,' Talal Al Hashemi, national director of Special Olympics UAE, said. 'These medals are a testament to their perseverance and the consistent support of our wise leadership for people of determination. Their success represents the spirit and values of the UAE, and we are confident they will continue to achieve great things as the Games progress.' The two medals are the first won by any team from the Middle East and North Africa region in the Games, which end on March 15, the Special Olympics UAE team said. Mr Al Nuaimi, 23, represents the Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination and Ms Al Mazrouei, 23, is from the Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination. The UAE team is competing in six disciplines: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and short-track speedskating. This is the first time the UAE has sent a team to compete in the Games. In total, 1,500 athletes competing represent 102 delegations. Local clubs for people with special help support families with children who have intellectual disabilities by providing consistent support, access to training and equipment. The UAE athletes, many of whom are competing in a major sporting event for the first time, have been training for more than a year on ski slopes, snow parks and skating rinks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. They were selected from more than 70 athletes from across the country who took part in trials over six months between 2023 and 2024. Their participation is part of the UAE's aim to develop a winter sport culture for families with children with disabilities with the best training facilities available for athletes. The country's Special Olympics sports federation has said will continue to work with athletes with disabilities so they can access opportunities in all sports and are able to obtain technical expertise from world-class coaches.
Dubai Eye
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Emirati athlete raises Special Olympics flag at opening ceremony
Emirati Special Olympics athlete Mina Al Mazrouei raised the Special Olympics flag during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games – Turin 2025. The National Director of Special Olympics UAE and Head of the UAE Delegation to Turin 2025, Talal Al Hashemi, said: "Since the Abu Dhabi 2019 Games, we have witnessed a new era of empowerment and excellence for people of determination in the field of sports. We have focused on investing in the strategy of supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges, as adopted by our leadership. Today, we are all proud as we see our athlete Mina Al Mazrouei representing her country in the best possible way. This achievement reflects the hard work and specialist training programs that the athletes have benefited from." Al Hashemi added: "Mina Al Mazrouei's participation in the opening ceremony represents a moment of pride and honor for all Emiratis. It reflects the global recognition of the UAE's deep commitment to supporting and empowering people of determination. I wish Team UAE best of luck and success in all competitions. We are confident that they will continue to inspire the world, as they always have." The Special Olympics UAE delegation to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 includes 30 members, including 11 athletes with determination. This delegation stands out for competing in the largest number of sports compared to other delegations from the MENA region. Special Olympics UAE athletes are set to compete in six sports: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, alpine skiing, short track speed skating, and snowboarding.
ARN News Center
10-03-2025
- Sport
- ARN News Center
Emirati athlete raises Special Olympics flag at opening ceremony
Emirati Special Olympics athlete Mina Al Mazrouei raised the Special Olympics flag during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games – Turin 2025. The National Director of Special Olympics UAE and Head of the UAE Delegation to Turin 2025, Talal Al Hashemi, said: "Since the Abu Dhabi 2019 Games, we have witnessed a new era of empowerment and excellence for people of determination in the field of sports. We have focused on investing in the strategy of supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges, as adopted by our leadership. Today, we are all proud as we see our athlete Mina Al Mazrouei representing her country in the best possible way. This achievement reflects the hard work and specialist training programs that the athletes have benefited from." Al Hashemi added: "Mina Al Mazrouei's participation in the opening ceremony represents a moment of pride and honor for all Emiratis. It reflects the global recognition of the UAE's deep commitment to supporting and empowering people of determination. I wish Team UAE best of luck and success in all competitions. We are confident that they will continue to inspire the world, as they always have." The Special Olympics UAE delegation to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 includes 30 members, including 11 athletes with determination. This delegation stands out for competing in the largest number of sports compared to other delegations from the MENA region. Special Olympics UAE athletes are set to compete in six sports: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, alpine skiing, short track speed skating, and snowboarding.
Sharjah 24
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Mina Al Mazrouei raises Special Olympics flag at Turin 2025
A Symbol of progress for the UAE Special Olympics Mina Al Mazrouei's participation in raising the flag highlights the significant progress made by UAE Special Olympics in integrating people of determination into society through sports. This event emphasizes the country's commitment to supporting and empowering athletes with disabilities. A global participation The competition at the Turin 2025 Games features over 1,500 athletes and unified partners from 102 countries, showcasing the global spirit of inclusion. UAE's pride and commitment to empowering People of Determination His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE and Head of the UAE Mission to Turin 2025, expressed pride in Al Mazrouei's participation, stating it represents a moment of national pride. He reaffirmed the UAE's dedication to ensuring people of determination are integral to the country's achievements. The UAE delegation includes 30 members, 11 of whom are athletes with disabilities.
The National
09-03-2025
- Sport
- The National
UAE athlete holds aloft Special Olympics flag in ‘proud moment for all Emiratis'
Emirati athlete Mina Al Mazrouei holding the Special Olympics flag in the opening ceremony of the World Winter Games is international recognition of the UAE's empowerment of the disabled, said a senior official. Ms Al Mazroui was chosen along with a select number of athletes from 1,500 competitors from around the world at the opening of the games in Turin, Italy, on Saturday evening. The moment was described as a proud occasion for the Emirates by Talal Al Hashemi, national director of Special Olympics UAE and head of the UAE Delegation to Turin 2025. "Mina Al Mazrouei's participation in the opening ceremony represents a moment of pride and honour for all Emiratis," he said. "It reflects the global recognition of the UAE's deep commitment to supporting and empowering people of determination. I wish Team UAE the best of luck and success in all competitions. We are confident that they will continue to inspire the world, as they always have." The participation of the UAE in the Games builds on Abu Dhabi's hosting of the Special Olympics in 2019, he added. "Since the Abu Dhabi 2019 Games, we have witnessed a new era of empowerment and excellence for people of determination in the field of sports," said Mr Al Hashemi. "We have focused on investing in the strategy of supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges, as adopted by our leadership. Today, we are all proud as we see our athlete Mina Al Mazrouei representing her country in the best possible way. This achievement reflects the hard work and specialist training programmes that the athletes have benefited from." The UAE team is competing in six disciplines: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and short-track speedskating. The Special Olympics takes place from March 8 to 15. This is the first time the UAE has sent a team to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games. The 1,500 athletes competing represent 102 delegations. The Games aims to use the power of sport to foster inclusive communities and transform attitudes towards people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
