Athletes from Kuwait’s Al-Tomouh Club for people with intellectual disabilities achieved a clean sweep by claiming the top three positions in the Category C English riding competition at the 10th Special Olympics Regional Games for the Middle East and North Africa, held in Cairo on Sunday.
Nawaf Al-Qassar secured first place, followed by Mariam Thiab in second, and Abdullah Al-Ali in third. The competition saw strong participation from riders representing Egypt as well. Another Kuwaiti athlete, Basma Al-Basili, competed in the show jumping event but was awarded a participation medal after her horse failed to clear three obstacles. Al-Ansari expressed optimism for improved outcomes in Basma’s upcoming events, which include dressage (Class C) and English riding (Class B), scheduled to take place on Monday.
The Special Olympics Regional Games commenced on Saturday at Hassan Mostafa Hall in 6th of October City, drawing delegations from several Middle Eastern and North African nations. The opening ceremony featured attendance by key figures such as Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Juhar Nabil, Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Maya Morsi, and Basem Al-Tohami, National Director of Special Olympics Egypt. Also present were officials, specialists, and stakeholders invested in Special Olympics programs within Egypt.
Kuwait’s participation has been supported by multiple entities, including the Government of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Egypt, and the Public Authority for Sports, as well as supportive families and sports program advocates. The Kuwaiti delegation at the Games was led by Deputy Ambassador Counselor Nawaf Al-Rajib, who attended the opening ceremony alongside other embassy representatives to endorse the athletes’ efforts. Media coverage has also been acknowledged for its role in raising awareness of the competition.
The Games serve as a platform for athletes with intellectual disabilities from Arab countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and host nation Egypt to compete and engage. The event operates under the motto “Performance Sports” and includes a variety of athletic disciplines, with weightlifting events concluding and medal results pending as of Monday. The Regional Youth Conference is also taking place concurrently, fostering broader engagement across participating nations.