And it’s here! The most awaited event of the month, the Special Olympics World Games 2019 is finally here and sports enthusiasts can’t keep calm. Well, if you still need a reason to take part in the biggest sporting event in the history of UAE, here are 5 reasons why you absolutely must not miss the Special Olympics World Games 2019.
1. A Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
The Special Olympics World Games 2019 will be flagged off this evening at the Zayed Sports City. The opening ceremony is set to spell grandeur as 7,500 athletes from across 190 nations march their way into the Zayed Sports City. There’s also an impressive line-up of entertainment as stellar musicians and Emirati singers liven the space with their electric performance. Lastly, visitors will also be treated to a colourful display of fireworks, embellishing the skies.
2. 6 Athletes From UAE Will Battle It Out
In case you’ve been following the Special Olympics updates, you’re sure to know about the grand team of UAE athletes who will be participating in the event. Six efficient athletes from the UAE including Sales Almarri, Hamda Al Hosani, Butti Al Sheezawi, Mohamed Al Tajer, Clara (Clari) Lehmkuhl and Omar Al Shami will put their best foot forward at the Olympics 2019 in Abu Dhabi. So, head to the Special Olympics 2019 to cheer, hoot and celebrate the victory of these stars.
3. You Can Be A Volunteer
Be a sport and extend a helping hand to make the event a success. The Abu Dhabi Olympics is all set to break previous records, thanks to a large number of countries and the talented athletes participating in the event. And in order to organize a mega event like this, organizers are seeking over 20,000 volunteers. There’s a whole lot of planning involved and man force is most needed in every aspect be it addressing the media, attention guests, handling the crowd, medical assistance, technical support and much more. In case you are ready to volunteer, make sure you are available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
4. You Can See Your Favourite Celebrity
Apart from famous athletes and sports personalities, you will also get to see popular celebrities during the eight-day event. From the Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne to the veteran DJ Paul Oakenfold, the Egyptian heartthrob Tamer Hosny and the American singer Nicole Scherzinger, the event will be graced by a whole lot of celebrities and you wouldn’t want to miss catching a glimpse of your favourite star!
5. You Can Participate In Non-Sport Events
Although the Olympics is all about sports, the event has a planned set of non-sport activities for athletes coaches, families and spectators to participate. Here’s the list:
1. Special Olympics Festival- The festival will host a series of games, and art and craft events
2. Inclusive Art Exhibition- The art exhibition will showcase seven paintings, painted by renowned artists. The exhibition is from March 16 to 28.
3. Play and Live Unified- From March 15 to 20 all the game venues will have a play and live unified area, which encourages people with and without intellectual disabilities to join hands and play as a team.