Special Olympics UAE launches prog to develop table tennis

The event will be attended by representatives from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Sharjah Sports Council, and Al Thiqah Club for the Disabled, as they welcome a specialized Japanese delegation to supervise the program. This delegation includes table tennis coaches and a technical team led by Ms. Marco Hirano, the head coach at Hirano Table Tennis Center, who has extensive experience in special needs education.

Talal Al Hashimi, National Director of UAE Special Olympics, stated that table tennis offers a wonderful opportunity for individuals with determination to express themselves and develop their physical and mental skills. The program aims to enhance the skills of athletes facing mental and developmental challenges and open new avenues for this sport in the UAE Special Olympics community.

Eight national institutions are participating in the program, including Dubai Club for People of Determination, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Ajman Club for the Disabled, and others. The Japanese delegation will share their expertise in playing, coaching, and refereeing with local coaches and athletes during the program.

This collaboration is part of a long-standing relationship between the UAE Special Olympics and JICE, which has seen several initiatives, including a training camp for the Unified Women’s Football Team in Japan in January 2023, as part of their preparations for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.