It was a beautiful hope after all...

am excited about the four Omani athletes who are going to be there at the Winter Olympics in Austria.

I remember one of the first press conferences of Special Olympics conducted at Oman Women’s Association where His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said addressed the media. Special Olympics was a dream. He urged the private sector for support, volunteers to come forward and parents to be bold. There were parents of children who were intellectually challenged sat among the audience too. I could almost hear their thoughts. While many parents continue to complain that there are never enough opportunities to entertain and train their children other than schools, here was a group of parents who were sitting quietly thinking how much of it will became a reality. It was a beautiful hope after all.

It did. On Sunday as I reached the press conference, the panel had many more members. Here was the chairman with the officials, the coaches and most importantly the athletes who are to perform and compete in Austria. Even more enchanting was the twinkle in the eyes of the parents. They talked about how the children showed changes in their behaviour. This is the true example of the transformative power of sports.

From the first press conference to this one to announce the team leaving to Austria, to participate in the game from March 14 to 25, many developments have happened. I remember HH Sayyid Faisal clarifying the difference between Special Olympics and Para Olympics as I kept confusing between the two.

As per the order issued by the Ministry of Social Development, Al Amal Association was promoted as the community that embraces people with intellectual disabilities. Another decision issued in April 2016, Al Amal Association was merged with Special Olympics Oman to provide a stronger community for people with intellectual disabilities, both children and adults. There has been training with professional coaches and more members since then. Today the athletes are into sailing and ice skating. They are constantly evolving to cross the barriers and challenges. “We know the odds our athletes overcome and the barriers they face every single day. We see this at training sessions and competitions as our athletes push to beat their personal bests and exceed them,” say the officials.

This is going to be different compared to everything they have gone through. They are truly a dream team. And they are going to make history. It is not about winning, it is the fact that they have reached this far to represent Oman that makes us proud, said Khalid’s father. Yes I chose to describe Ali bin Mohammed al Farsi that way because that is how he has been referred to — ‘Khaled’s father’. I could see that Al Farsi took great pride in that. Khaled al Farsi is one of the athletes who will be participating in the Snowshoeing game. Khaled is so cheerful that it is contagious and you cannot help but smile and be happy.

The participation of Special Olympics Oman in the World Winter Games in Austria provides evidence of the ability of individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete in important international forums says HH Sayyid Faisal, Chairman of Special Olympics Oman. “It is also a boost to achieve more and to improve sports and athletics for those with intellectual disabilities in the Sultanate and to hold programmes that will offer them the best sports, health and familial services,” he explained.

In fact many organisations are coming forward to show support. The dimensions are many. And an example of that is the participation of members of Special Olympics Oman in the Leadership Programme in the Winter Games.