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Special Olympics UAE and Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment have teamed up to support athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their new MoU grants year-round training and winter sports competition opportunities, prepping athletes for the 2025 Special Olympics Winter Games in Italy.
The partnership brings snow sports to Special Olympics athletes through Majid Al Futtaim’s indoor resorts: Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi. Ski Dubai’s experienced instructors will provide training in cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding.
A comprehensive four-stage training plan, held twice weekly, is outlined in the MoU. This plan focuses on talent identification, team building, skill development, performance monitoring, and overall readiness for competitions and events organised by Special Olympics UAE throughout the year.
Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, said, “Special Olympics UAE is keen to forge community partnerships that have a positive impact on our athletes, and the memorandum of understanding signed today with Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment will enhance the capabilities of People of Determination in four of the most important kinds of winter sports. It will also work to promote these sports in the UAE Special Olympics community by allowing players to train in world-class facilities in preparation for their participation in the World Winter Games that will be held in Italy next year.”
Special Olympics UAE will reciprocate by providing specialised training for Majid Al Futtaim’s employees and members to interact effectively with People of Determination. The organisation will also support sports and community events organised by the group, qualifying Majid Al Futtaim employees on the principles and rules for organising Special Olympics UAE competitions.
Al Hashemi added, “The partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment underscores the spirit of collaboration and in implementing the national policy to empower People of Determination, achieve societal inclusion, and develop their abilities in various sports, solidifying the UAE’s global leadership in this important domain.”
Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, said, “Sport has the transformative power to break barriers, unite people and drive social change. Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment is proud to sign this memorandum of understanding with the Special Olympics UAE and look forward to the beginning of this exciting journey which aims to foster acceptance and inclusion of people of determination. We will work side by side with the UAE Special Olympics to prepare the national team representing the UAE at the Special Olympics World Winter Games next year by providing technical and logistical support and providing expertise, training facilities, and the necessary specialist resources and tools.”
Special Olympics UAE aims to strengthen community partnerships to enhance the quality of life for those with mental and developmental challenges. The memorandum supports the participation of People of Determination with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Majid Al Futtaim’s community sports events, providing them with opportunities to participate in activities that is tailored to diverse abilities.