Salem Ahmed Abdulla, who was one of the first students to enrol on the FIFA/CIES Executive Programme in Sports Management organised in cooperation with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), is now fully involved in the organisation of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, which starts in a few days. It is the first time that the Games will take place in the Middle East / North Africa since their creation some 50 years ago.
After having been in charge of football at the Special Olympics Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Games in 2018, Salem is now part of the Local Organising Committee for the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. He explains his role: “My activities as the manager for football competitions are very motivating. Actually, our mission is to promote positive social change for people with intellectual disabilities and create a more inclusive society.”
The Special Olympic Games will gather more than 7000 athletes from 192 countries. They will compete in 24 individual and team sports including football – of course -, but also athletics, basketball, badminton, swimming, golf, table tennis, kayaking and roller-skating.
For Salem, education has played a key-role in the development of his professional career: “The SUAD/FIFA/CIES Executive Programme has changed my life. I am very proud to belong to the pioneers, the first graduates. Not to mention that I am now very happy to participate to a sports event of great significance both at a human and humanitarian level.”
Congratulations to Salem! We wish him and the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 every success.