The 10th Special Olympics Regional Games for the Middle East and North Africa kicked off in Egypt on September 17 and will run until September 23. The games, held under the theme "Sports Performance," bring together 173 athletes and 42 leaders from 13 countries. The events take place at various sports facilities in Cairo, including the Equestrian Club in Zamalek.
The equestrian competitions have seen strong participation from athletes with Special Olympics programs. The events are divided into English riding and show jumping, with participants categorized into different levels and classifications based on their abilities. This ensures equal opportunities and fair competition among all participants. Habibah Ruzq, a technical official for equestrian sports, oversees the competitions.
In the English riding events, several Arab countries have secured top spots. In the Level 1, Category 1 competition, Tunisian athlete Suleiman Nabli took first place, followed by Egyptian Marwan Muhammad in second and Egyptian Sharif Nida in third. In Level 1, Category 2, Emirati Muhammad Zubair came in first, with compatriot Sultan Saif in second and Bahraini Ibrahim Mustafa in third.
The Level 2 and Level 3 competitions have also seen diverse participation and winners from various countries. In Level 2, Category 1, Moroccan athlete Wasim Al-Bukhari secured the top spot, while Saudi engineer Muhammad took second and Emirati Basma Bashar took third. In Level 3, Category 1, Egyptian Abdel Rahman Muhammad took first place, followed by Kuwaiti Maryam Thiyab in second and compatriot Abdullah Al-Ali in third.
The show jumping events have also concluded, with Egyptian and Emirati athletes securing top spots. In Level 1, Category 1, Egyptian Marwan Muhammad took first place, followed by compatriot Sharif Muhammad in second and Emirati Sultan Saif in third. In Level 2, Category 1, Emirati Basma Bashar came in first, with compatriot Dhikra Ahmed in second and Kuwaiti Basma Al-Bousaily in third.
The 10th Special Olympics Regional Games aim to provide athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete and showcase their abilities. The games promote integration, participation, and communication among participants from different countries in the region. A closing ceremony is scheduled for September 22, and participating delegations will depart on September 23.
The games feature competitions in several sports, including equestrian, artistic gymnastics, and powerlifting. The events take place at various venues in Cairo, including the Equestrian Club, the New Cairo Club, and the Olympic Center in Maadi. The Special Olympics Regional Games are an essential platform for promoting sports and inclusivity in the region.
Key points
- The 10th Special Olympics Regional Games feature 173 athletes from 13 countries competing in various sports.
- Equestrian competitions have seen strong participation from athletes with Special Olympics programs.
- The games promote integration, participation, and communication among participants from different countries in the region.
