MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Special Olympics Oman, will take part in the 16th edition of the Special Olympics World Games 'Berlin 2023' from June 17-25.
A Host Town Programme will be held on the sidelines of the games from June 12-15. This programme aims to highlight the participation of persons with intellectual disability in society. After finishing this introductory programme, all delegations will move to Berlin to participate in the opening ceremony of the World Games and the various competitions that will kick off.
Oman’s delegation comprises 36 players (persons with intellectual disability) and 9 unified partners.
The delegation will participate in the following games: athletics, unified badminton, unified bocce, bowling, equestrian, futsal, golf, weightlifting, roller skating, sailing, swimming, table tennis, and unified tennis.
Mohammed bin Salim al Rashdi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics Oman, head of the delegation, said that various trials were conducted to select the delegation’s players.
He added that the players underwent intensive training programmes during the past months. Al Rashdi pointed out that the delegation includes several new coaches and new players.
He lauded the delegation’s high morale and expressed his hope to achieve great results.
Special Olympics Oman participated in previous versions of the Special Olympics World Games. It won 48 medals during the last edition of the games which were held in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
Moreover, the Special Olympics World Games 'Berlin 2023' will include 26 Olympic sports. It will be participated by 7,000 players.
The official opening of the games will be held on 17 June at the Olympia stadium in Berlin.
The events of the opening ceremony will include the opening song 'Are you ready' presented by the Norwegian duo Madcon.
Several conferences will be held on the sidelines of the World Games. Those include the Global Athlete Congress (June 15-19), the Global Youth Leadership Summit ( June 16-20) and the Global Forum for Inclusion - Partnering for Action (17-18 June) Oman’s delegation will leave today (Monday) to Oberhausen, Germany, to participate in the Host Town Programme, which is held prior to the start of the Special Olympics World Games. — ONA
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