Special Olympics Oman organises first orientation forum

Represented by the North and South Batinah Governorates’ Sub Committee, Special Olympics Oman organised its first orientation forum in Sohar. Hosted at Sohar University under the patronage of H E Sheikh Mehana bin Saif bin Salem al Lamki, Governor of North Batinah, the forum provided an opportunity to showcase the potential, abilities and talents of people with intellectual disabilities and how they can contribute to the development of society.

Saif bin Mohammed al Rabeei, president of the North and South Batinah Governorates’ Sub Committee, said, “This forum highlighted the importance of involving and integrating our athletes with intellectual disabilities in various aspects of life. It also provided a platform to showcase the importance of public and private sector collaboration to empower the development of our athlete behavioural, physical and professional skillsets, raise awareness on their potential and enable them to be part of their communities.”

The forum further shed light on the central role of the Special Olympics Oman in integrating people with intellectual disabilities in the society. Mohammed bin Ali al Farsi, vice president of the Sub Committee, said, “Rein- forcing the important role public and private sector organisations play in achieving our goals, we signed two MoUs with Al Raffah Hospital in Sohar and the Directorate General for Sports Affairs in the North of Batinah to allow our athletes to use the sports complex’s facilities.”

The North and South Batinah Governorates’ Sub Committee was established in November 2016 with a mandate to educate and communicate the value of people with intellectual disabilities and encourage them to have roles in their communities through social and health programmes.

Special Olympics is a global movement that operates in more than 170 countries and aims to create a new world of inclusion and community, where individu- als are accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. In 2010, The Special Olympics Oman Association was established by a ministerial decree from the Ministry of Social Development with plans to integrate people with intellectual disabilities into society. Through its programmes, they help develop the behavioural, physical, and professional skillsets of members. Its mandate is centered on raising awareness on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.