Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazaa Bin Zayed Al Nahian, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Sport Council, Abu Dhabi welcomed the arrival of the Special Olympics’ Flame of Hope with a grand carnival style celebration. The ceremony took place at the Emirates Palace Hotel as part of the Flame’s journey on its way to Idaho in the United States, where the Winter Special Olympics’ are set to take place in February 2009.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, the Flame received a warm welcome amidst a great atmosphere of festivity. HH Sheikh Hazaa Bin Zayed Al Nahian headed the welcoming committee along with a number of diplomats and sports figures in participation with the general public who came out in numbers for this special event.
The Flame’s arrival coincided with the Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the 6th MENA Regional Games for the Special Olympics taking place between 15th and 21st of November under the patronage of the Deputy Commander of the Arab Emirates armed forces and Vice Ruler, HH Sheikh Mohamed Ben Zayed Al-Nahian.
“The city and its people have welcomed the Flame with wide open arms, and we are very proud of the Flame’s passing through the UAE and its capital Abu Dhabi, a city which represents the hope of sportsmen with special needs, strengthening their will against great odds,” said Abu Dhabi’s Sport Council General Secretary, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Mahmoud.
“These unique individuals need the full support of the entire public for the project with all its facets to succeed, “stressed Al Mahmoud.
“They should also get the chance to play an integral part in the public domain,” he pointed out. “This segment of our society’s hope and determination is held in high regard and enjoys the full support of our Head of State, HH Sheikh Khalifa Ben Zayed Al Nahian, Deputy Head of State, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohamed Ben Rached Al Maktoum, Deputy Commander of the Arab Emirates Armed Forces and Vice Ruler, HH Sheikh Mohamed Ben Zayed Al-Nahian and HH Sheikh Hazaa Bin Zayed Al Nahian, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Sport Council,” he added.
Al Mahmoud went on to say that, the passing of the flame represents a very special event in the field of sports, to be added to the series of championships and tournaments hosted by Abu Dhabi, which in turn have become an international sports tourism destination. The international sportsmanship message that we are in step with is according to a firm policy and modern strategy, which will pave the way of our sport to wider horizons in order to fall in line with the cultural transition the UAE, is currently witnessing.
On his part, Chairman of the UAE Special Olympics Council, His Excellency Mohamed Mohamed Fadel Al Hamili, said that the gesture by the International Special Olympics movement’s decision in choosing Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the first time in the Arab world, as the second destination of the flame on its way to Idaho in the United States, to kick-start the Winter Special Olympics between February 7th and 13th in 2009, is highly appreciated and represents a high degree of faith and trust between this International Movement and our state and is the natural result of the success our state has accomplished in hosting the 5th MENA Regional Games for the Special Olympics that were held in Dubai in 2006.
He stressed that the participation of the international flame in the opening ceremony and launch of the 6th MENA Special Olympics Tournament under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed Ben Zayed Al Nahian between November 15th and 21st, 2008 in Abu Dhabi is truly a historic event. He expressed his confidence in the success of the UAE in being the host and making the nation proud.
Al Hamili expressed the great commitment of Abu Dhabi’s Vice Ruler towards the tournament and the flame’s reception, which he considered as medals of Honor for the entire members of the council. He hoped for the doubling of efforts towards the raising UAE’s flag in international arenas. His commitment extended to include a dear segment of society that proved themselves and demonstrated great potential, leaving a great legacy behind in the annals of sports history.
“The distinguished special need sport is considered high on the state’s agenda, which is providing full moral support towards more great achievements amidst tough international competition, no longer restricted to the fields of science, economy and information, but also making its way into the sports arena and special needs sport in particular,” added Al Hamili.
