The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi starts countdown to Special Olympics World Games 2019
The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi hosts a gala dinner to raise awareness of the Special Olympics and to start the countdown to the World Games in March 2019.
HMA Philip Parham with Team SOGB athletes: Greg Silvester, Kiera Byland and Ian Harper
The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi hosted a gala dinner on March 21st in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance to raise awareness of the Special Olympics and to start the countdown to the World Games in March 2019.
Three British Special Olympics athletes, who have a plethora of gold medals between them, joined the celebration at the Embassy. Kiera Byland, Greg Silvester and Ian Harper – who are in Abu Dhabi to promote the countdown to the World Games in 2019 – hosted a Q&A session for the guests, including key members of the British business community, Emirati alumni of British universities and representatives from the Special Olympics Organising Committee.
Guests were able to try their hand at bocce and table tennis, both recognised sports in the Special Olympics. There was also an opportunity to take home a piece of unique art produced by students from The Future Rehabilitation Centre and The British School Al Khubairat as part of an ‘Art Unified’ project.
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham, said:
The UAE is playing a leading role in the region in supporting inclusion and changing perceptions. Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the Special Olympics MENA Games this year and the World Games which will be taking place at this time next year are a great example of this. We are delighted to be able to play our part in raising awareness and encouraging communities to get involved. And, we have been privileged to have had inspirational British athletes join us to mark the occasion.
Watch the video below to see some highlights of the night.