ShareKUWAIT: The Olympic Stadium in the German capital Berlin witnessed the opening ceremony of the 16th Special Olympics World Games "Berlin 2023", which will end on the 25th of June, with the participation of seven thousand players - representing more than 170 countries competing in 26 sports, including 27 athletes from Kuwait participating in 10 sports.
The games were declared open by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the presence of 50,000 spectators, where the flame was lit, marking the official launch of the events of the sixteenth edition. The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Director General of the competitive sports sector of the Public Authority for sport Bashar Abdullah and the ambassador of Kuwait to Germany Najib Al-Bader, who greeted Kuwait delegation and congratulated them.
Following the German president opening of the games and speeches of Timothy Shriver, president of Special Olympics International, Mary Davis, CEO, regional presidents, and official speakers who appeared at the main podium, including Kuwait’s Maryam Theyab, the official spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa region, the ceremony kicked off. There were many impressive artistic performances that embody the message of the Special Olympics as the largest humanitarian sporting event in the world focused on empowering Special Olympics players in society through sports.
Hanaa Al-Zawawi, chairwoman of Kuwait Special Olympics Board of Directors and head of the delegation expressed her pleasure with the honorable appearance of the Kuwaiti delegation at the opening ceremony. She added that many delegations were keen to wear national and folkloric costumes, pointing out that the Kuwait delegation represented the Kuwait culture by wearing dishdasha, (Kuwaiti besht), (ghatra and Aqal), while the Kuwaiti girls players wore (Darraat) and presented a wonderful image that was appreciated by everyone.
She added that players and administrators from all over the world shared photos and memorable shots with them. The Kuwaiti player Mohammed Al-Naibari also participated with the athletes of participating countries in the River of inclusion celebration by pouring an amount of water he brought from Kuwait to make a symbolic river flowing with the aspirations of the Special Olympics to achieve sports and social integration of people with disabilities.
Zawawi added that the celebrations of the games began three days before the opening ceremony Through the host cities program, which included cultural, entertainment and tourism events that had a positive effect on the athletes. She concluded by affirming her confidence in Kuwait Special Olympics athletes to continue their journey of brilliance, make achievements and present an honorable image of the Kuwaiti disabled sports, and wished them success.
