Curtain comes down on spectacular Mena Games in Abu Dhabi
abu dhabi — Special Olympics IX Mena Games Abu Dhabi 2018 officially closed on Thursday night with a spectacular ceremony at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The ceremony at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre was attended by Mohamad Abdulla Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Special Olympics World Games 2019, Ayman Abdel Wahab, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Mena, Peter Wheeler, CEO of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019; ministers and LOC team members.
Commenting on the Games, Al Junaibi, said: “I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, without whom this event would not have been possible. His wise leadership and vision as well as his personal interest in the Games has been invaluable.
“On behalf of everyone at the Local Organising Committee of Special Olympics World Games 2019, I would like to thank all of the athletes, their coaches and families, volunteers, spectators, medical staff, partners, the National Service and everyone else who has helped us make the Games such a huge success.”
Ayman Abdel Wahab echoed his statements, thanking Al Junaibi, all of the organisers of the Games and the athletes. He also spoke of how much he was looking forward to seeing the athletes again next year.
A video of the week’s highlights then played to the crowd, focusing on the incredible efforts, results and comradeship of all the athletes, volunteers, national service members, sponsors and the local organising committee.
Speeches were made by representatives of the athletes, family members and the heads of the thousands of volunteers who helped make IX Mena Games the success that it was.
Olympics ceremony protocol then followed which included the lowering of the Special Olympics flag, which has flown over Adnec this past week, and the Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ cauldron was extinguished.
Special Olympics IX Mena Games 2018 was then officially declared as having closed, and the evening’s entertainment began.
More than 1,000 athletes from 32 countries travelled to Abu Dhabi to take part in MENA IX Games, which was the first major sporting event ahead of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.
Special Olympics IX Mena Games and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 were a part of the UAE’s National Vision 2021 that highlights full integration of people of determination into everyday society. Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the most ‘unified’ games in history and promise to offer an inclusive experience for those with and without intellectual disabilities.