Differently-abled students shine at event

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

As part of the participation of the Ministry of Community Development in the 6th edition of Dubai Fitness Challenge 2022, a leading sports initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, Dubai Centre for People of Determination, with the support of the National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing, organised a Fitness Tournament at the Dubai Centre for People of Determination.

The tournament, which was held at the Dubai Centre for People of Determination Sports Hall, included the participation of (60) students of determination from (6) government centres affiliated to the Ministry of Community Development (Dubai People of Determination Centre, Ajman People of Determination Centre, Ras Al Khaimah People of Determination Centre, Fujairah People of Determination Centre,, Dibba Fujairah People of Determination Centre, and Um Al Quwain Autism Centre.

Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Community Development, honoured the winners of the People of Determination centres in the presence of Amal Al Balooshi, Director of Wellbeing Programme at the Ministry and Aisha Al Darbi, Director of Dubai People of Determination Centre.

The first place was won by Dubai People of Determination Centre with a total of (13) gold, (9) silver and (1) bronze medals. Second Place was Umm Al Quwain Autism Centre with a total of (3) gold, (5) silver, and (3) bronze medals and third was Ras Al Khaimah Centre with (2) gold, (3) bronze. Ajman Centre also won (1) gold, (2) silver, and (5) bronze medals, Dibba Al Fujairah Centre (1) silver, (3) bronze, Fujairah Centre (1) silver, and (3) bronze.

The tournament took place in 3 fitness competitions whereas people of determination were trained throughout the challenge month “November 2022” in Escot competition, Zigzag running competition, and abdominal competition to three age stages: (8-11 years), (12-16 years) and over 16 years, the competitions were held in two separate classifications for males and females.

The specialised judging panels of certified assessors and organisers of the Special Olympics MENA 9th Regional Games 2018 included: Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Balooshi, organisers and co-founders of the Special Olympics World Games 2019 namely Hanifa Ibrahim Al Balooshi and Hamad Mohammed Al Qubaisi and nternationally licensed trainers in physical fitness: Aisha Bin Toaq, Mohammed Sultan Al Tunaiji, and Ali Dhafer Al Ahbabi.