By Haridev Pushparaj — MUSCAT: MARCH 12 - In what will be a big moment for the Sultanate, Special Olympics Oman Association officially announced Oman’s participation in the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 in Austria from March 14-25.
Four athletes representing Oman will be 20-year-old Khaled al Farsi, 27-year-old Raya al Husaini, 22-year-old Shatha al Husaini and 17-year-old Abdulrahman al Ruqadi.
Khaled was all smiles and happy about the event in Austria. “I am very proud to represent Oman and it is an honour for me to be going to the World Winter Games,’’ he added.
“Basically, they have been training in the desert and sand dunes, in the beaches to build their stamina and have a good performance,’’ he added.
“Parents have been very supportive of him and have been there as part of the programme initiatives. He has also prepared psychologically for the event in Austria,’’ Khaled added.
HH Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said, President of Special Olympics Oman, was excited about the prospect of Oman participating in the World Winter Games.
“We have been given a quota and by the quota we have four athletes who will be participating. The recent one was in 2013 in South Korea, in the short history that we have been associated with the World Winter Games, this is the second time we are taking part,’’ he added.
The Omani athletes will join 2,700 others, representing 107 countries in nine different disciplines. “I am confident the athletes do very well. We have been training in Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Bausher, Sultan School and Al Hail Beach,” said the coach, Kumail Hassan al Lawati.
“It has been great coaching the students. It has been enriching and power because they always give you hope. They make you always feel positive. This is what the whole world is looking for. I am looking forward to seeing good results in World Winter Games Austria,” Intisar Mohammed al Tobi, one of the women’s coaches said.
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