ABU DHABI 7 March 2018: Wednesday 7th March marks just 10 days to go until the start of Special Olympics IX Mena Games 2018 in Abu Dhabi.
IX Mena Games will officially begin at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 17 March at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, when thousands of athletes and spectators will watch the lighting of the Olympic Torch.
Members of UAE’s Special Olympics Athletes and team members from the local organizing committee made the number ‘10’ at the Walk Unified event that is organized every Friday at Umm Al Emarat Park, to mark the final countdown.
Members of the public can walk-in and watch the Games from March 18-20 at all eight venues, that will host the different 16 sports, and these include Adnec, NYUAD, Zayed Sports City, Yas Marina Circuit, Officer’s Club, Mubadala IPC Arena, Al Jazira Sports Club and Al Forsan Club.
More than 1,000 athletes from 31 countries will take part in 16 sports including athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, gymnastics, handball, power lifting, roller skating, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
Special Olympics IX Mena Games and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 are a part of the UAE’s National Vision 2021 that highlights full integration of people of determination into everyday society. Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the most ‘unified’ games in history and promise to offer an inclusive experience for those with and without intellectual disabilities.