ID :
24409
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 16:21
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https://oananews.org//node/24409
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UAE to be first stop for Special Olympics flame
The Flame of Hope is to pass through Dubai and Abu Dhabi next month to mark the start of the sixth regional Special Olympics according to a report in “The National.”
The flame, travelling from Athens, will arrive in time for the opening ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa games, being held between Nov 15 and 21.
Mohammed al Hamli, the chairman of the UAE Special Olympics committee, said he was delighted to have the flame present at the opening ceremony, which will take place in Abu Dhabi.
"This is the first time we will have a lit torch present at the regional games, and it is a great opportunity for our country and for raising awareness about our talented athletes with special needs,” he said.
“The UAE became a front-runner when we were planning the Flame of Hope’s journey because it is already hosting regional games for the Special Olympics, and it has a strong reputation for caring for its athletes with special needs.”
It is the second time the UAE has hosted the games, having been its venue two years ago.
The flame will be “united” with another celebrating the Special Olympics World Winter Games being held in Idaho, in the US, from Feb 7 to 13. After leaving the UAE, the flame will be carried through several cities across the world before reaching Boise, the host city for the Idaho games. A team of 24 Emirati athletes – two women and 22 men – will compete there.
The flame, travelling from Athens, will arrive in time for the opening ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa games, being held between Nov 15 and 21.
Mohammed al Hamli, the chairman of the UAE Special Olympics committee, said he was delighted to have the flame present at the opening ceremony, which will take place in Abu Dhabi.
"This is the first time we will have a lit torch present at the regional games, and it is a great opportunity for our country and for raising awareness about our talented athletes with special needs,” he said.
“The UAE became a front-runner when we were planning the Flame of Hope’s journey because it is already hosting regional games for the Special Olympics, and it has a strong reputation for caring for its athletes with special needs.”
It is the second time the UAE has hosted the games, having been its venue two years ago.
The flame will be “united” with another celebrating the Special Olympics World Winter Games being held in Idaho, in the US, from Feb 7 to 13. After leaving the UAE, the flame will be carried through several cities across the world before reaching Boise, the host city for the Idaho games. A team of 24 Emirati athletes – two women and 22 men – will compete there.
