UAE Delegation to Compete in Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

A UAE team, led by Special Olympics UAE, will take part in the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin. The team, led by His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, has 30 members. Out of these, 11 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities will compete in six different winter sports. This is the biggest team from the Middle East and North Africa region.

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The six winter sports are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, alpine skiing, short-track speed skating, and snowboarding. This large team shows the UAE’s commitment to providing more chances for people with disabilities to take part in winter sports.

His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi said that the athletes have worked very hard during their training and the team is very proud of them. He also said that being part of these global games is a way to give people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to compete, succeed, and inspire others. He praised the UAE leaders for their strong support for the team.

Al Hashemi also thanked the partners and supporters whose help made this journey possible. The athletes were chosen from different clubs in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Ajman Club for Disabled, and Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination.

The team has received great support from partners like Majid Al Futtaim, which is the official partner, and the UAE Winter Sports Federation, which is supporting them. Mohammad El Etri, Managing Director at Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, expressed pride in the hard work and determination of the athletes. He said that their partnership is not just about competing but also about creating a world where everyone is included, empowered, and encouraged to break barriers.

Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President at the UAE Winter Sports Federation, also shared his support for the team. He said that sport is an important tool for inclusion and empowerment. He added that he hopes the athletes will inspire more people in the UAE to try winter sports.

Special Olympics UAE worked with the UAE Winter Sports Federation and Majid Al Futtaim’s Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi to prepare the athletes for the games. They had two training camps—one in Uzbekistan in January and the other in Dubai. The athletes also took part in coaching programs to improve their skills.

The World Winter Games in Turin 2025 will be the first since the Special Olympics UAE World Games in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The UAE team has had great success in previous games, including a strong performance in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin in 2023.

The athletes representing the UAE at the Winter Games in 2025 include Yousef Al Mulla (Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services), Mouza Al Hamed (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination), Abdullah Al Nuaimi (Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination), Mina Al Mazrouei (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination), Khalifa Al Ameri (Dubai Club for People of Determination), Zulekha Al Mansoori (Ajman Club for Disabled), Kholoud Al Khoori (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination), Salma Al Salami (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination), Ahmed Al Jilani (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination), Hamda Al Hosani (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination), and Hazza Al Mehairbi (Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination).

In 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, made Special Olympics UAE an independent organization to help people with intellectual disabilities. His Highness appointed Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Honorary President and Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Special Olympics UAE works to help people with intellectual disabilities by giving them the chance to show their talents through sports and leadership programs. They have also started many community programs to make society more inclusive for people with disabilities.

The UAE’s work has been recognized globally, and Special Olympics UAE was officially recognized by the International Special Olympics Foundation-USA in 2017.