When the Special Olympics Mena Games kick off on Wednesday there will be plenty of lessons to be learnt by all.
Hosting the world’s largest sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities next year and a regional version of the games this week could provoke a complete shift in attitude among some and show how perseverance can pay off.
A coach training the UAE basketball team for the Special Olympics says he has already learnt focus and patience from the athletes.
“They are very focused; you don’t have to teach them that. You learn a lot from them about patience and hard work. It is also a lot of fun working with them and I don’t find it hard work at all,” says Hisham Farouq, sports supervisor at the Sharjah Centre for Humanitarian Services.
Mr Farouq has worked with Special Olympics teams for the past 15 years.
“Once they have understood the game, they like being on the court all the time, we have to tell them to stop. It also sends a very good message to the community about how determined they are as sports people.”
The team usually practices four times a week and is currently in training at least twice a day at an ongoing camp in Al Ain.
It is important to steer children with intellectual disabilities toward sport from age four to six onwards, says Mr Farouq.
“Depending on their level and ability when they are young they can start with ball play on the floor and then move to the bocce game. Some move onto football, swimming, tennis, table tennis when they are eight or 10. You start by putting small goals and low baskets when teaching them to dribble and shoot. But they pick up quickly,” he says.
Bocce is among the games taught to children with development disabilities to give them the opportunity to connect with others and gain self-confidence. The main principle in the game is to roll a bocce ball closest to the target.
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Read more:
Emirati athlete sprints to change perception of people with learning disabilities
Training begins for UAE volunteers with intellectual disability ahead of Special Olympics
Special Olympics will generate goodwill and engineer a further shift in attitudes
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Early initiation into sport helps with motor development, health and fitness and prepares them for competition at all levels.
Before games begin at the Special Olympics, athletes are placed in different divisions based on their ability and skill.
“When they keep playing and start winning medals, they are so proud of their achievement. My players have won in games in Los Angeles, Athens, Cairo and Morocco,” says Mr Farouq.
Hosting the games in the UAE will awaken parents and care givers to the opportunities open to their young charges, experts say.
Inspired by the games, some centres such as Al Noor and Tender Hearts Arena are working with mainstream schools so their pupils play sports and participate in activities with special needs children.
“The very fact that the games are coming here brings into people’s awareness what people with special needs can achieve. They will realise it’s not just athletes with physical disabilities but people with mental challenges participating,” says Isphana Al Khatib, director of the Al Noor Training Centre.
“This exercise will build into the psyche of the UAE and the local community about the capability and talent of people with cognitive challenges. It raises an understanding in the general population that there is a possibility of these young adults being everywhere and doing everything.”
The games will also bring to the fore people who have previously been relegated to the background.
“This population is marginalised and these events will bring them to centre stage. They are not to be put in a corner but with right opportunities they are perfectly capable of being part of big events. It is a matter or providing a platform and opportunity. It’s a great initiative because it is taking place at a national level,” Ms Al Khatib says.
“It’s a matter of nurturing potential whether it’s a sport or any other talent. If you are viewing them constantly as limited people, then you are closing your mind. But if you constantly look at them as people with potential then you are open to their talent and abilities. This will be a huge step in the right direction.”
Experts say the games will encourage parents to explore sport as an option for all children with disabilities and not just athletes with potential.
“Sport is extremely important for children to develop holistically,” says Niamh O Shea, director for the Pace centre in Dubai where pupils with disabilities have weekly group and individual sports sessions.
“By working in a group, children can develop social skills and learn how to feel part of a team. They can improve in confidence. Sports allows our students opportunities for success that they may not have within a classroom environment.”
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
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
