The UAE Special Olympics team have returned home with a haul of medals in their first international competition since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
A team of 11 athletes won six golds, eight silver, two bronze and an achievement ribbon for fourth place in the bowling and swimming contests at the Malta Special Olympics Invitational Games.
“This is their first international competition after a long gap due to Covid and everyone came back with a lot of energy and passion,” Amr Badawi, deputy head of the delegation for the Malta games, told The National.
“The main message of the Special Olympics is that everyone is a winner. Whether fourth place or the gold, this is an encouragement to show their ability in front of the world.
“Going back to live competitions is a positive push that made our athletes feel more motivated.”
The UAE was invited to participate with 23 nations at the Malta games and was the only country representing the region.
“I was extremely proud to gain this win in Malta and it’s an honour to be able to represent my country and make my country proud,” said Omar Al Shami, an Emirati swimmer who won two golds in 50-metre freestyle and breaststroke.
“The competitions were tough, but I was able to push myself towards the end which helped me win.”
The 20-year-old is a student at the Higher College of Technology Abu Dhabi and fits in swimming training several times a week along with his classes.
Another medal winner was Awadh Al Ketbi, who won silver in the 50-metre backstroke and freestyle competitions. Mohammed Al Zubaidi took silver in the 50-metre butterfly stroke and bronze in the freestyle.
Faisal Al Marzouqi, Shaima Al Naqbi and Hamda Murad secured individual golds in the singles bocce competition.
In the male doubles bocce, Abdulaziz Al Gharib and Faisal Al Marzouqi secured silver. Hamda Murad and Shaima Al Naqbi took home silver in the female doubles bocce competition.
Inspiring performance
Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and chair of Special Olympics UAE, dedicated the victory to the President, Sheikh Mohamed, who she described as "the most prominent supporter of people of determination."
“Their performance was both incredible and inspiring, reflecting the UAE's strategy to support people of determination and empower them to participate in international events,” the minister said in a statement.
“The Malta Games 2022 was an important continuation of the legacy of the World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 and positions the UAE at the forefront of inclusive communities.”
For many athletes, the Special Olympics was their first experience competing overseas.
Organisers are keen to encourage greater participation and said they were always on the lookout for talent.
“We are increasing the number of athletes across the UAE, giving an opportunity to new faces and all abilities,” said Mr Badawi, who is also the head of the UAE Special Olympics sports and training unit.
“We are not closed around a small group of athletes, but are open to everyone.”
News of the UAE results and celebratory messages were delayed as a mark of respect for the mourning period for Sheikh Khalifa, who died on May 13.
Staying fit
The Malta games, which ended on May 18, were a special test and reintroduction to the global arena for the athletes.
During the lockdown in the UAE to stop the spread of the coronavirus, organisers held virtual training sessions to keep the team fit and engaged.
More than 600 sports kits were sent to athletes’ homes, filled with team uniforms, light weights and skipping ropes.
“The pandemic was difficult for everyone and also for Special Olympic athletes,” Mr Badawi said.
“They were locked inside their homes, so we needed to keep them healthy and also to take care of their emotional and mental state.”
Athletes recorded their performances in online fitness challenges that were evaluated by coaches.
When stay-at-home regulations were lifted in October 2021, the players returned to training in clubs.
As part of their exercise regime, they trained five times weekly with Special Olympics coaches and were part of a 10-day camp as a final push before the Malta games.
The games, founded in 1968, are held around the world for adult and child athletes with learning disabilities.
More than 7,000 athletes were part of the 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi, which brought the capabilities of national athletes with intellectual disabilities to the forefront in events from cycling and gymnastics to golf and athletics.
Residents and families were encouraged to be part of unified competitions, where they took part alongside the athletes.
The UAE team in June will travel for table tennis and powerlifting competitions in Austria and for unified football games to Detroit in the US in August.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Qualifier A, Muscat
(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv)
Fixtures
Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final
UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
How to book
Call DHA on 800342
Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation text message
Present the SMS and your Emirates ID at the centre
DHA medical personnel will take a nasal swab
Check results within 48 hours on the DHA app under ‘Lab Results’ and then ‘Patient Services’
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
AT%20A%20GLANCE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWindfall%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAn%20%E2%80%9Cenergy%20profits%20levy%E2%80%9D%20to%20raise%20around%20%C2%A35bn%20in%20a%20year.%20The%20temporary%20one-off%20tax%20will%20hit%20oil%20and%20gas%20firms%20by%2025%20per%20cent%20on%20extraordinary%20profits.%20An%2080%20per%20cent%20investment%20allowance%20should%20calm%20Conservative%20nerves%20that%20the%20move%20will%20dent%20North%20Sea%20firms%E2%80%99%20investment%20to%20save%20them%2091p%20for%20every%20%C2%A31%20they%20spend.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EA%20universal%20grant%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EEnergy%20bills%20discount%2C%20which%20was%20effectively%20a%20%C2%A3200%20loan%2C%20has%20doubled%20to%20a%20%C2%A3400%20discount%20on%20bills%20for%20all%20households%20from%20October%20that%20will%20not%20need%20to%20be%20paid%20back.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETargeted%20measures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMore%20than%20eight%20million%20of%20the%20lowest%20income%20households%20will%20receive%20a%20%C2%A3650%20one-off%20payment.%20It%20will%20apply%20to%20households%20on%20Universal%20Credit%2C%20Tax%20Credits%2C%20Pension%20Credit%20and%20legacy%20benefits.%0D%3Cbr%3ESeparate%20one-off%20payments%20of%20%C2%A3300%20will%20go%20to%20pensioners%20and%20%C2%A3150%20for%20those%20receiving%20disability%20benefits.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
