UAE to host World's Special Olympic Games2019

The Special Olympics International Board of Directors yesterday held a meeting in Washington, D.C., hosted by Georgetown University, where they were pleased to award their flagship event and world’s largest humanitarian and sporting event of 2019, the Special Olympics World Games, to Abu Dhabi.
The Special Olympics International Board of Directors unanimously voted to award the World Games to Abu Dhabi based on a comprehensive bid proposal, a site visit by a Board Committee, and the country’s vision to create inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the UAE, the region and the world. A press conference detailing the event will follow at a later date in Abu Dhabi, according to UAE News Agency (WAM)

"Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi is revolutionary for our movement and for the Middle East region," said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman. "There’s no better or more profound location than Abu Dhabi to invite the world to come together in celebration of sport, in celebration of people of all kinds, and to demonstrate to the world that the lines of division can be erased. We are thrilled to be the first Olympics Games in the Middle East region of the world." WAM reported.