The first Special Olympics (SO) regional unified champions schools 3x3 basketball brought together 17 schools from various Special Olympics programmes. Egypt participated with eight teams representing eight schools that qualified following a national competition held in September. The UAE had four teams, Jordan three and Morocco two schools.
The tournament was hosted by the American University in Cairo from 22 to 27 October.
According to the SO system, the girls’ teams were divided into two groups while the boys were split into three.
In the first division of the girls’ category, an American University in Cairo-related school claimed first place, followed by Morocco’s Lycée School in second, and Lycée School in Port Said, Egypt, in third. In the second division, the WE School for Applied Technology in Beheira, Egypt, took first place, with Jordan’s Hashemite University School coming in second, and UAE’s Aisha Bint Abu Bakr School securing third.
In the boys divisions, Ibn Luqman School from Egypt won first place in the top tier, followed by WE School for Applied Technology in Qalyubia, Egypt, in second, and Morocco’s Iraqi International School in third. In the second division, the Independent International School of Jordan claimed the top spot, with WE School for Applied Technology in Asyut, Egypt, in second, and the UAE’s Zayed Al-Khair School in third. In the third division, WE School for Applied Technology in Suez, Egypt, took first, followed by Jordan’s Baptist School in second, and Abu Dhabi School from the UAE in third.
The first-ever Special Olympics Regional Unified Champion Schools event is a significant sports gathering for athletes across the Middle East and North Africa, promoting inclusivity and community integration through sports, fostering interaction between Special Olympics athletes and their non-disabled peers in a unified sports environment.
Regional President of the Special Olympics in the Middle East and North Africa Ayman Abdel-Wahab awarded medals and certificates to participants after the finals, accompanied by Special Olympics director of schools and youth Hailey Wruble, and other regional officials and delegation heads from participating Arab countries.
The opening ceremony, inaugurated by Abdel-Wahab, was attended by prominent figures, including Secretary-General of Special Olympics Egypt Sayed Shafiq, dean of the American University in Cairo Jurgen Marcell, Wruble, president of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee Hossameddin Mustafa, Ambassador Maher Al-Adawi, Vice President of the National Basketball Association in Africa Mohamed Abdel-Muttalib, head of the Sports Professions Union Fathi Nada, and head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Telecom Egypt Naglaa Nasr, along with heads of the delegations participating in this regional event.
The ceremony featured a special artistic segment performed by athletes with disabilities, the song “Our Strength from the Spirit,” performed by Farah Emad, Nadine Sherif and Assem Abdel-Mawgoud, and concluded with a tribute to the late Mohamed Al-Shahat, the media advisor for Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa.
Abdel-Wahab warmly welcomed the delegations, expressing his admiration for the outstanding organisation and initiatives discussed at the event’s Youth Development Conference on Unified Champions Schools.
Shafiq emphasised that Special Olympics Egypt spared no effort to support the event, ensuring all requirements for a successful competition. Wruble noted the professionalism and hospitality of the Egyptian organisers and expressed her enjoyment of the event.
“This first Regional Unified Champions Schools Special Olympics Competition represents a significant opportunity for athletes from the MENA region, creating a unified environment where Special Olympics athletes and their peers can compete together, fostering social inclusion and community integration through sports,” Abdel-Wahab said.
National Director of Special Olympics Egypt Bassem Tohami received the Award of Excellence for the Unified Champions Schools Initiative, under the patronage of President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The award was presented during the opening session of the first Regional Conference of Unified Champions Schools.
Eleven Arab countries participated in the conference: Jordan, Morocco, the UAE, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Oman, Tunisia, and host country Egypt. Tohami expressed pride in Egypt’s selection as a regional centre of excellence in the initiative which promotes comprehensive inclusion for Special Olympics athletes and school students through education and sports within various educational institutions.
Tohami emphasised Egypt’s dedication to the project. “It positively impacts Special Olympics athletes by promoting an inclusive environment. Sports serve as a powerful bridge, fostering connections across society, enabling Special Olympics athletes to receive education alongside their non-disabled peers, and overcoming barriers to full integration.”
Youth activities director for Special Olympics in the Middle East and North Africa Samira Al-Adawi expressed pride in the conference’s success, highlighting the innovative ideas discussed that aim to establish a clear policy framework for integrating individuals with disabilities into mainstream education. Wruble praised the conference organisation and the active engagement of delegations, emphasising the role of unified sports in promoting community integration.
The conference was held alongside the first Regional Unified Champions Schools 3x3 Basketball Competition.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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