Special Olympics UAE and Special Olympics Malta commenced a joint training camp in Al Ain, bringing together 15 athletes from Malta and 15 from the UAE. Together, they will train in bocce, swimming, and athletics till 18th February.

The Maltese delegation set a precedent as the first European Special Olympics delegation to participate in a training camp in the UAE, building on strong connections with Special Olympics UAE.

The camp is hosted by the city of Al Ain and is sponsored by the Department of Culture and Tourism and the Integrated Transport Centre.

In addition to their scheduled training sessions, the athletes will visit prominent cultural attractions in Abu Dhabi, allowing them to engage socially and learn more about the history of the Capital and its landmark destinations.

Talal Al Hashemi, National Director, Special Olympics UAE, said, “We welcome the Special Olympics Malta athletes and the delegation to the UAE. This joint training camp builds on a strong and collaborative relationship; we participated in the Special Olympics Invitational Games in 2022. Also, we received a short while back, the First Lady of Malta, Dr. Lydia Abella, President of the Special Olympics Malta, and we discussed together collaboration to advance sports programmes for athletes in the two countries. We agreed on the need to focus on strategies that enhance training, in a way that improves the level of players in the two countries, and this camp, which we are proud to host in Al Ain, is part of these strategies.”

Al Hashemi added, “This camp demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to empowering People of Determination with mental and developmental disabilities from all over the world and providing them with more opportunities to explore sports and culture. The camp also opens new avenues for our athletes to connect with their peers, as we prepare for The Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games next September. Finally, I would like to thank the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi and the Integrated Transport Centre for their contribution to this camp and for providing unforgettable experiences for all participating athletes."

This joint training camp underscores the growing ties between the two Special Olympics organisations; Special Olympics UAE athletes participated in the Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games 2022 and secured 16 medals. The Emirati participation was the only one from the MENA region.