Special Olympics World Games 2019 to be held in UAE from today

Special Olympics World Games 2019 which is being held from March 14 to March 21 in UAE, has made history by welcoming a record-breaking 200 nations ahead of the Games. Of the 200 nations, 195 will compete in the Games and five will observe.

It is being held in West Asia for the first time. 7,500 athletes will take part in 24 Olympic-style sports over seven days. 

With the highest number of women taking part and the largest number of Unified teammates on board, the World Games will capture the attention of the globe.

More than 2,500 women will fly the flag for their nation, with almost half of them performing in athletics competitions. Saudi Arabia will send female athletes for the first time, with 14 women participating.

The host nation,



the UAE, will field its largest-ever squad of athletes at a World Games, with 320 sportsmen and women participating making it the biggest delegation at the event, closely followed by Special Olympics Bharat and Special Olympics USA.

The World Games in Abu Dhabi will also feature the largest volunteer program to date in West Asia and North Africa. More than 20,000 people have registered to give their time to the event, demonstrating an unprecedented level of engagement with the principals of inclusion and strengthening the culture of volunteerism.

Nine world-class venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will accommodate 500,000 spectators,

1,500 officials will be the referee in the Games, while 3,000 coaches will assist the athletes.