Special Olympics holds orientation forum

MUSCAT: Represented by the North and South Al Batinah Governorates’ Sub Committee, the Special Olympics Oman organized its first orientation forum in Suhar.

Hosted at Suhar University under the patronage of Shaikh Mahana bin Saif al Lamki, Governor of North Al Batinah, the forum provided an opportunity to showcase the abilities and talents with intellectual disabilities and how they can contribute to the development of society.

Saif bin Mohammed Al Rabeei, President of the North and South Al 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 behavioral, 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 society.

Commenting on the event, Mohammed bin Ali Al Farsi, Vice President of the Sub Committee said, “Reinforcing the important role public and private sector organisations play in achieving our goals, we signed two MoUs with Al Raffah Hospital in Suhar and the Directorate General for Sports Affairs in the North of Al Batinah to allow our athletes to use the Sports Complex’s facilities.”

The North and South Al 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.

In 2010, The Special Olympics Oman Association was established by a ministerial decree from the MoSD with plans to integrate people with intellectual disabilities into society. Through its various programmes, they help develop the behavioural, physical, and professional skillsets of members. Its mandate is centred on raising awareness on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities, encouraging their participation in social, cultural, sports, health, professional and recreational activities, in collaboration with government and non-government entities.