MP Sarah Newton, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, met with athletes from the Special Olympics GB team to wish them good luck as they depart to Abu Dhabi tomorrow to compete in the World Games.

Joining the send-off was Michelle Carney, CEO of SOGB and members of the UAE Embassy H.E. Rawdha Al Otaiba, Deputy Head of UAE Mission, Mr Marwan Al Naqbi, Head of UAE Economic Affairs and Mr Ahmed Al Abdooli, Head of UAE Political Affairs.

Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi will be the largest sports and social inclusion event to take place in 2019. Over 7,500 athletes from more than 190 nations will compete in 24 Olympic-style sports across nine venues in Abu Dhabi.

MP Sarah Newton, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work: “The Special Olympics is a celebration of just how much people with learning disabilities can achieve, helping to end the stigma that can hold people back from reaching their full potential. It was incredible to meet some of our Special Olympics GB athletes before they head off to Abu Dhabi to compete in the World Games. These inspiring people have already achieved so much, and I am certain they will accomplish so much more in the next coming weeks. I look forward to cheering them on from home and wish them the best of luck!”

Commenting on the engagement, H.E. Rawdha Al Otaiba, Deputy Head of UAE Mission said: “We have embraced in the UAE the values of the Special Olympics and endorsed the use of sports to build confidence, improve health, and foster inclusion and acceptance around the world for people of determination, as we call them in the UAE. For us, hosting the Special Olympics World Games this year in Abu Dhabi, reflects the commitment of our nation in further promoting tolerance as a universal value. The UAE looks forward to the British team’s participation, whom I had already the pleasure of meeting with… they are truly inspirational”

Find out more here: https://www.abudhabi2019.org/